Saylor Beall 705 Question

[Ing3018]

Picked up a Saylor Beall 705 pump and vertical tank air compressor recently. On the top of the head are two cylinder objects whose function I'm wondering about. One sits on top of the high pressure intake valve the other on top of one of the low pressure intake valves with a "S" shaped tube between. These not shown in the parts manual. Can you guys give me some insight on these things?

Paul

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[Ing3018]

I am wondering if these things are head unloaders? They are stamped with the company name Air Mate. They are not constructed like the head unloaders I have see pictured on Quincy's.

 

[Trey T]

yes, they're head unloader, particularly useful for continuous run. However, either someone modified that head, pressure lube version, or it's a clone SB 705.

take picture of the pump entirely

 

[Schurkey]

Mine--which I think is a S-B clone--has a tube only into the low-pressure intake valve. I have no idea what the function is. The other end of the tube is connected to the fitting over the check-valve for the tank (high-pressure air).

[EDIT] The other end of the tube goes to the unloader, not to the check valve for the tank.

 

[Ing3018]

yes, they're head unloader, particularly useful for continuous run. However, either someone modified that head, pressure lube version, or it's a clone SB 705.

take picture of the pump entirely

Did some checking around today. I guess these might be part of a continuous run setup, judging by the pilot? valve at the tank.

Not sure how these head unloaders work. I have not yet found any information on these, like inspection, cleaning, testing.

I've not found a picture of a continuous run setup on another 705 pump, so I don't have a clue if this setup on mine is factory or was installed later. The unloaders are painted the correct color.

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Also has a low oil shutoff:

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Splash lubricated; not a pressurized oiler:

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Here's the valve setup on the tank side:

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[Trey T]

That's a neat setup. The pilot valve maintains a pressure that's lower than the pressure switch by venting the head. You can mess with the continuous run feature later but for normal operation shut the pilot valve off.

 

[Ing3018]

Is there any service or inspection on the unloaders? I was figuring on cleaning them, but am not sure how to tell if they are working or not. Have not looked at them to see if they can be taken apart or not.

On the head and valves: Is there some guidance on the cleaning versus replacing of the valve parts? I am going to order gaskets. How do you decide if the valves need to be replaced?

Lastly, on the crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons: Is there a quick way to check for good condition without removing them?

 

[Schurkey]

On the head and valves: Is there some guidance on the cleaning versus replacing of the valve parts? I am going to order gaskets. How do you decide if the valves need to be replaced?

The valves are steel discs inside a seat/cage/spring assembly. The seal kit is hatefully expensive given the simple nature of the seals/gaskets. If the steel discs aren't cracked/broken, and the springs keep 'em closed...I think they'd be fine. I cleaned mine with aerosol carb cleaner. In my case, the sealing ring had failed, not the valve.

on the crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons: Is there a quick way to check for good condition without removing them?

Aside from grabbing a rod "big end" and rattling it on the journal, I can't think of anything other than having the compressor oil analyzed for wear metal.

GM has a "special tool" dial indicator kit for measuring connecting-rod bearing clearance while the rod is still clamped around the crank shaft. I suppose you could do about the same with a dial indicator and magnetic base...but...I suspect that if you just grab the rod with your hand and feel for play, that'd be good enough.

 

[Trey T]

tips to check the health of pump:

1.head- rotate flywheel to see if it produce air and make the "croggy" notice
2.rotating assembly- rock flywheel back and forth to see if there's knocking

That's all I would do right now ... Install it and put it to use

 

[Ing3018]

I'll keep working on cleaning it up. The head unloader plungers were pretty sticky, but I got them freed up. Looks like this was run pretty hot, judging by the discolored paint and cooked oil residue on the high pressure side of the head.

I gave the crankshaft and connecting rods the wiggle test and could not discern any play in those areas.

When I got the Saylor Beall, I also got a Speedaire 80 gallon. This one is an oddball: Direct drive 5 hp v-twin pump. The motor is 3 phase, though. I got these both for free, other than the trouble of removing them. I'm pretty happy with how things are looking with the Saylor Beall!