Two Vintage Compressor Pumps - Which to Rebuild?

[SynViks]

I have two vintage compressors that I'm trying to combine in to one functioning compressor, and I need to decide which pump I'm going to use for this project.

Pump A is from a Campbell Hausfeld "VT4300" (circa 1980), pump B is from a Sears 919.174320 (1983). They look similar but some tangible differences in their construction. Most noteworthy is the Hausfeld pump has, I think, two intake holes per cylinder vs one on the Sears. Few more differences... can post more photos if needed.

Will have a 20 gallon tank and a 15a-230v, 3HP motor. Attached the parts diagrams for both machines. The Sears manual had a spec sheet... can't find a manual for the Hausfeld.

So which one should it be? Or are they for all intents and purposes equivalent?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[metlmunchr]

Both are obsolete with few left over parts available. Available parts consist of a few gaskets and some common hardware items, all at totally insane prices.

I've got one of the sears compressors from 1977 with the C-H pump and the same 15 amp 240 volt motor as yours. Pump died about a year ago, and I replaced it with the $140 pump from HF that's rated for 3 hp. Had to drill 4 mounting holes for the pump, and replace the poly-v pulley on the motor with a 3.75" v-belt pulley to get the correct rpm for the pump, and a belt for the new setup. All in, about $180 total.

The HF pump outperforms the original by a mile. I left the pressure switch at the original 125 and 95 settings. It will build pressure from 95 to 125 psi in about 28 seconds which translates to about 12 cfm, or roughly 30% more than the original. The HF pump is also noticably quieter than the C-H was.

A set of rings is available for one of the pumps you have. Can't remember which one. A set of rings plus the necessary gaskets to R&R the assembly costs more than the HF pump.

If you do decide to go with the HF pump, you should open the box at the store to verify nothing is damaged. The pump and flywheel is well packaged, but I've seen reports online that shippers have still managed to crack the flywheel or break cooling fins off the pump.

 

[SynViks]

I found a rebuild kit for ~70 that includes valves, gaskets, and seals. But it sounds like the performance of these pumps wouldn't make good use of the 3HP motor to be worth the rebuild cost.

Found a Saylor 703 locally for ~60. Think that might represent a better investment than rebuilding either of these pumps.