Curtis ES-20 Compressor Pump Valve Disassembly

[TapperMan]

I picked up a pair of Curtis ES-20 compressor pumps off of CL last week for a total of $75. The guy selling them was a metal recycler who picked them up as part of an auction buy, so he didn't have any info on their condition but suggested they might need a rebuild.

I wasn't having much luck finding information about these pumps other than an exploded parts diagram and a one-page valve inspection instruction sheet, so I thought I'd put up some pictures of the internals as I take the cylinder heads off to inspect and clean the valves and pistons.

This is the rougher of the two pumps.

One of the three cylinder heads.​

They weren't using the unloader feature, so each one is capped off. To use it in a continuous-run manner, air from the reciever would be piped from a pilot valve to tee fittings on each head, like this...

An exploded shot of the unloader pin.

The outlet valve push cover assembly.

The outlet valve plate.

The inlet valve view from the bottom of the head.

The inlet valve disassembled. The inlet and outlet valves use the same type plate.

Piston and cylinder view.​

I'll update when I get the cylinders off and the pistons out.

 

[kenfain]

Gotta love the simplicity of these machines! I can't understand why anyone would buy a new unit from one of the big box stores. When you can get this quality, for that kind of money! And get a fun, easy project as well. It's an easy decision. Thanks for the pics Tapperman keep 'em comin.

 

[Davefr]

I can't understand why anyone would buy a new unit from one of the big box stores. When you can get this quality, for that kind of money!

Because these are "you ****" deals that come around once in a lifetime.

OP, nice project!!

 

[p0lar]

Gotta love the simplicity of these machines! I can't understand why anyone would buy a new unit from one of the big box stores. When you can get this quality, for that kind of money! And get a fun, easy project as well. It's an easy decision. Thanks for the pics Tapperman keep 'em comin.

I will say that once you've tried to relocate a few of these by hand, you begin to understand why there was a certain transition; however, it won't change your mind.

I was moving one of the larger quincy pumps by myself recently and decided to remove the flywheel and head before proceeding with the crank/crank case/cylinder case. I still did the same amount of work, only I didn't require ibuprofin the next morning.

 

[Trey T]

It looks like it's in a very good condition.

 

[sirweldalot]

I have a es-20 curtis-toledo pump. About how much was the kit? and how hard was it to rebuild?