Vintage US Air Compressors

[Hdale85]

I bought this compressor at auction, it's a 5hp Horizontal Tank unit from United States Air Compressor Company.

I've been trying to locate information or parts for it and honestly I'm not finding much at all. There are a few identifying marks/tags on it. There is a Serial number plate with model number FA 983 on it but that doesn't bring up much either. I'm attaching the pics I have so you can see it. Above the oil drain there's some sort of mechanism that attaches to the main piston shaft, I'm not sure what it does but there's some balance weights or something that broke off it and were laying down in the oil fill area, They seem to be some sort of counter balance but I'm not sure why it needs an air line connected to it? Anyways here's what I have. I also included some pics of the 2 weight things that broke off and the device they came from.

 

[Hdale85]

No one has any idea what the device is in the last pic at least? Or if it's needed to use the compressor?

 

[mikegt4]

Usually something like that, bob weights on the end of the crankshaft, is part of the unloader which dumps any pressure in the pump when the electric motor starts up. There should be a small tube going from the unloader up to the cylinder head. Something like in this photo.

 

[Hdale85]

Hmm there used to be a water separator that kind of sat on this part on the top of the tank (didn't come with compressor when I got it), the line runs to that, which also connected to the main lines from the pump.

Is there a way to replace that part, OR upgrade to a modern setup that works or something? I can't seem to find much for parts for this thing so I'm not sure if I can find that part.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

http://www.collinsequip.com/Air Compressor/FA DIA-PARTS.pdf


Looks like this company still supports parts for your pump.

 

[Hdale85]

I did email them, waiting for response.

Could I add a modern pressure switch with unloader valve instead of repairing this one?

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

I don't know why you couldn't, it would tee in above the receiver check valve, but personally I'd try to repair the centrifugal unloader.
I can't imagine the weight pivot bolts broke, I would guess someone was working on it instead.

 

[Hdale85]

The little tabs where the pivot rod/pin went through broke off. At least that's what it looked like, I can take a pic of them.

 

[930dreamer]

Not sure if your taking about the "oil slinger" that spins on the crankshaft?

EDIT: Looking at the parts diagram it doesn't have one.

 

[Hdale85]

Nope definitely not an oil slinger, here are some more pics.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Interesting...are they aluminum? Surely they're not pot metal...I would hope.

If they're aluminum, a good tig welder should be able to weld them. Doesn't appear they sell the weights separately per the parts diagram...but it wouldn't hurt to inquire.

 

[Hdale85]

I don't even see the tabs, or connecting pieces or anything in there, you can see the holes, I'm not sure what was on those other flanges, it doesn't look like the weights were? They do appear broken off too but the weights don't really match up.

They do appear to be aluminum as they aren't very heavy.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

If you zoom in on part # 67 (two weight assembly) it appears that the weights are indeed on the top and bottom, so at some point they were attached to the remaining tabs. They most likely got beat up when they broke, hence the mis-match.


I can't see anything mounted at the two vertical hole locations. I'd assume that Collins should be able to give you more insight.

 

[Hdale85]

Yeah, if I don't hear from them soon I'll likely be removing that whole assembly and just going with something aftermarket lol. I got this compressor super cheap at an auction ($150) and figured if it would run it would suit my needs for a while (supposed to be 23.5cfm pump) if not I'd sell it and let someone else turn it into a project. I really wanted a vertical cause not sure how I'm going to fit this into my shop lol.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

I just had a look at the 'MK' series parts page, and it uses 4 weights, rather than the 2 in the 'FA' series...hence your 2 'missing' weights.

http://www.collinsequip.com/Air Compressor/mk parts dia.pdf

 

[Hdale85]

Hmm, interesting. I wonder why the difference lol.

 

[Gasgano]

Have you recieved any word back from the parts website? I emailed them in the 15th and have not heard back from them yet. I'm looking to get my hands on a FA906, S/N 1060 FA. Pump has a stamp of FA 1531.
The unit still works but it it'd be nice to give it a once over before putting it into service. If i could find a source for a complete overhaul that'd be ideal.