Vintage Manley floor jack

[Ferrous]

Hello all
I recently saved this vintage Manley J2 from the scrap man.
The previous owner had listed it on C List with a before I send it to the scrap pile adder. Although he did say he would never have scrapped it.
I was a bit amazed that there were so few images on the net and most led back to this forum.
Yes I have searched the forum for information and could not find the answers to my questions.

Here it is waiting for a little TLC


At first look from below. It needs a set of return springs.


It appears to missing a bottom plate? There are two small bolts that hold something?
They are just ahead of the piston mount points.


I did not think it had a name plate, but it does.



Cat. NO. J-2
Seriel NO. 4-48 25108 0
Model 908

 

[thehorse13]

Nice jack.

What are your questions?

Welcome.

 

[Ferrous]

I have not begun to disassemble this jack. I have learned it is better to ask those who have before heading off in the dark. Some of my answers may come with disassembly. The last that did disassemble it, left a few pieces on the bench before selling it off to the person I purchased it from.
It has had a few farm / garage fixes over the years.
It appears by the plate that this jack was manufactured 4-48.

1. Is there suppose to be a bottom plate?
If not the two bolts may be a replacement for something else.
If anything probably cotter pins, But then what were they keeping in place?
2. If someone has a J2 of this vintage what size are the return springs.
Length , Dia., wire size? A photo
3. The large cross pin under the saddle has been replaced with a bolt.
I can make a new one. But again.
length, dia., Keeper type-pins-clips, A photo.
4. Casters , what is the proper way to remove them. There are no visible screws, pins
etc. that appear to be holding In place.

Thanks for any help

 

[c_duke]

My dad had a Manley JS-2 in his garage for years that didn't work. He never took the time to troubleshoot it. I was cleaning up there a couple weeks ago and brought the jack home to look at.
It had no oil in it, so I filled it, and it does work, but it leaks.
So I started disassembly yesterday.
There's no bottom plate. Don't know if there ever was.
I have no return springs
I had a set screw on each side that held the caster in.

I am stuck on removing a shouldered pin. I've given it a few pretty solid raps with the ball peen, but it seems really solid in there and I don't want to take a chance on cracking the cast iron. I've pointed out the pin in the next couple photos. Any ideas?

<img src="https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=6008&pictureid=76268"</img>

<img src="https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=6008&pictureid=76269"</img>

Thanks!

 

[CRTDI]

Some Manley J-2 info here: (photobucket pics)

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130285&highlight=vintage+floor+jack&page=15

 

[Roberts210]

2. If someone has a J2 of this vintage what size are the return springs.
Length , Dia., wire size?

From messing with various old floor jacks I can tell you the springs have to be long enough that you can get them on, strong enough that they will lower the lifting arm, and short enough that they don't fall off when the lifting arm is down. Take some measurements, try a few sizes and see what happens.

 

[Ferrous]

c_duke
I have been busy cruising New England collecting Vintage Jacks.
For some reason I got the Bug.
I will update when disassembly starts
Previous
Ma.
Weaver 73
, vintage forged side plates

Maine
This Vintage Manley
----------------------
New to the Garage

NH
Blackhawk S4 4ton, Light button Switch intact, casters NG.

Conn
Blackhawk S7

Ma
Walter Vlyet (?) Albany NY
Imported, English, EPCO Model 80 5 ton

Ma
Blackhawk S4 - 4ton, Lens intact, no cover
Walker 2 ton, Tom Boy
---
Manley 960 10ton, Its a beast

Conn
Weaver 73 missing cover
Blackhawk S4 - 3 ton, No lens

I hope that is enough for now.................