I think it's time for a new compressor

[ScottsGT]

I think it's time for a new compressor UPDATE: Its done!

My old secondhand Speedaire 2HP with a 60 gallon tank is toast. 20+ years ago I replaced the motor and gaskets and valves on the pump when it was given to me.
Now it looks like the head gasket has blown out. To the point that no pressure is getting to the shut off switch. My thought was to just slap on a new pump and keep going for 20 more years. It's the 2Z630B pump.

Seems that it has been discontinued.
eBay has a replacement (not exact) for $325 shipped.

Trying to decide on a rebuild kit and take a chance on parts availability once I get into it or just say screw it and replace the entire compressor. Tank is 25+ years old, so my luck I spend money and time and then it starts leaking.

Who's got the best deal going on 60 gallon compressors these days? I'm an occasional user running air tools and possibly a spray gun again one day. If replacing I'd prefer a 2 stage that runs a little quieter.

Thoughts? Too old to rebuild?

 

[Musicinabottle]

If it were mine, I'd try rebuilding it first. Lot cheaper! My Campbell Hausfield is kind of discontinued too. They do that to get you to buy new. I just bought a head gasket and we're up and running again for under $50.

 

[Rickster]

Just throwing this out there but have you thought about switching to battery powered impacts And tools?

 

[Kev442]

I went on CL and bought a 2HP (twin cylinder CH) compressor with a bad tank for $50 and mounted the whole thing onto my 60 gallon tank. I have $75 total into my frankenpressor.

 

[bob15]

Go on Grainger's website. They have the rebuilt kit on clearance for $ 15.00

https://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-Air-Compressor-Overhaul-Kit-1R396

 

[anndel]

I would repair it and use it another 20 years.

 

[FTG-05]

If you're looking for an excuse to replace it:

https://www.eatoncompressor.com/5hp-2-stage-single-phase-60-gallon-vertical-air-compressor.

$1450. I wish I had done that a year or so ago instead of the Franken-pressor I got off of CL for $700.

 

[ScottsGT]

Go on Grainger's website. They have the rebuilt kit on clearance for $ 15.00

https://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-Air-Compressor-Overhaul-Kit-1R396

Thanks Bob!
Went ahead and tore it down and cleaned up most parts. Found the top cover gasket had crumbled apart. I do have one connecting rod with some scoring. Might replace them too.

Well not only did I order the set Bob posted, but I started looking for rings. Seems the only way to get them easily was to order a complete rebuild kit off eBay. Also ordered a set of rods too. So I'll have spare gaskets for 20 years down the road when I'm 75.

 

[ScottsGT]

Just a follow up...
Wound up with the Granger gasket set and a complete rebuild set off eBay that included new rings, valves and screws for the valves.
To say things got complicated was an understatement. Had the entire bottom end rebuilt and ready to go. Pulled the head off the bench and started removing the screws holding in the valves. My luck, one was stuck in the head and it completely twisted off.

So, what to do? Started out by drilling out the broken screw. Had a 4-40 screw and it fit the other holes so I went an bought a 4-40 tap. Oops! It's metric. 4-40 fits, but won't tighten down. Replacement screws provided wouldn't fit the 4-40 hole. New screws had cuts in them to help clean threads, so in all my infinite wisdom I thought I could "tap" the hole with these new screws. Nope. Broke off new screw in the hole. Back to the drill press. Went looking for a 3.5mm tap. Grainger has one all the way across town and it's the weekend. Started thinking about it. Air compressor doesn't care if that one screw is SAE or Metric.

Bought a 6-32 tap and screws from Lowes. It worked! Yay! Put it all back together, opened all the airlines for the break in run. It sounded like a bomb going off. Knocking like crazy. FUDGE!!!! All I can assume is the old rust between the flywheel and the crank is causing a bad fit and I need to replace the damned pump after all.

Went online looking for new pump. Then it dawned on me. The new valve screws were standard head phillips head screws. The originals were a very flat hex head. Pulled the head back off. Sure enough the pistons were hitting the screws ever so slightly. Took my Dremel tool and cut the screw heads flat and below the surface of the head.
Opened second gasket set and grabbed out the new head gasket and reassembled.

WOW! What a difference it makes when the pistons are not slapping the head!! Hopefully its a done deal now. I'm making pressure and its much quieter now. Flywheel still has some noise to it, but nothing like that hammering I was getting. Might try a new key since it's been off and back on several times.

FYI, I wound up running the compressor oil from Harbor Freight. Probably give it a couple hours run time and do a change.

 

[jeffer949]

I need to rebuild mine. I did a half *** job 8 years ago. Made my own gaskets. Honed cylinders and reused rings. It works but It needs new valves and it leaks oil. Thanks for the tip on the screws.

 

[Jvvmusme]

consider an eastwood scroll compressor