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Old Sears Air Compressor

Dropframe

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Jul 17, 2022
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I snagged an old Sears Air Compressor for $50 today. The model is 106.173841.
I'm looking for a manual. Have not found one using Google. It is 3 hp, 230 volts, 150 psi with an Emerson motor.
My main question is; What oil do I use in the compressor? A similar model manual said to use 10W-40 detergent motor oil. No mention of compressor oil. Of course it is old so maybe it was not common. Next is, where do I find an air filter? Existing looks like a 1/4" thick piece of dense wool.
 

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The Cobbler

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any compressor non detergent oil will work fine. do not use multigrade detergent engine oil . if it will be exposed to extreme cold temps you could go to synthetic compressor oil to help with cold starts . those air filters are available on ebay etc . it's likely a devilbiss compressor

 
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Dropframe

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Now I'm confused. Why did the similar unit say to use 10W-40 detergent oil and now you say any non-detergent compressor oil is the one to use?
 
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Dropframe

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Attached is the page from Sears 106.171941 manual.
 

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luvtheheat

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From my manual, compressor mfg date Jan 2006. Model 919.195411
 

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The Cobbler

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wow, first I've seen that . my understanding is that detergent oil causes a carbon build up on the reed valves. personally, I would run non detergent compressor oil in it and sleep well at night
 
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Dropframe

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Now you see my confusion. Everything I read agrees with you. Unless somebody has a good reason I'm going Harbor Freight non-detergent!
 
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Dropframe

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DIFFERENT TOPIC Same 106.173841 Compressor.
I'm looking for a drain valve. The Sears original style (really just a bolt) is discontinued and no longer made.
My problem is finding a replacement. I want something with a petcock. It appears to be 3/8". I haven't been to the hardware store to get the thread pitch but my guess is that it is SAE coarse thread. That will be easy io figure out.
My problem is that petcocks online only show size (usually 1/4" or 3/8") with no info on thread size or even if it is Metric or SAE. I'm guessing that most these days are metric. Any comments??
 

yatg

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Joined
Aug 16, 2019
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2,836
Location
Southern Oregon
DIFFERENT TOPIC Same 106.173841 Compressor.
I'm looking for a drain valve. The Sears original style (really just a bolt) is discontinued and no longer made.
My problem is finding a replacement. I want something with a petcock. It appears to be 3/8". I haven't been to the hardware store to get the thread pitch but my guess is that it is SAE coarse thread. That will be easy io figure out.
My problem is that petcocks online only show size (usually 1/4" or 3/8") with no info on thread size or even if it is Metric or SAE. I'm guessing that most these days are metric. Any comments??

Looks like a standard pipe plug.

1689009278372.png

Its probably NPT threads and not SAE.
Should be slightly tapered.
1/4"NPT, actual OD would be .3125, slightly under 3/8".
3/8"NPT would be OD .405, just over 3/8" by not quite 7/16".

Search Amazon for "compressor drain" and there's lots of options from a simple valve to fully automatic.
 

MovingAlong

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Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Messages
1,255
DIFFERENT TOPIC Same 106.173841 Compressor.
I'm looking for a drain valve. The Sears original style (really just a bolt) is discontinued and no longer made.
My problem is finding a replacement. I want something with a petcock. It appears to be 3/8". I haven't been to the hardware store to get the thread pitch but my guess is that it is SAE coarse thread. That will be easy io figure out.
My problem is that petcocks online only show size (usually 1/4" or 3/8") with no info on thread size or even if it is Metric or SAE. I'm guessing that most these days are metric. Any comments??
Unscrew the existing one and take it with you to Ace, True Value, Harbor Freight, etc. They'll have something to match it up against.

I used a simple pipe elbow and ****** to move the valve out from under the tank a bit. Easier to reach..
 

PRS_

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Joined
Nov 9, 2023
Messages
2
I snagged an old Sears Air Compressor for $50 today. The model is 106.173841.
I'm looking for a manual. Have not found one using Google. It is 3 hp, 230 volts, 150 psi with an Emerson motor.
My main question is; What oil do I use in the compressor? A similar model manual said to use 10W-40 detergent motor oil. No mention of compressor oil. Of course it is old so maybe it was not common. Next is, where do I find an air filter? Existing looks like a 1/4" thick piece of dense wool.
I also have an old Sears compressor(106.154541) which I bought new long ago. The owner's manual says "Always use 10W-40 detergent motor Oil." I Think it was made by DeVilbis.
 
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