Keystone Air Compressor

I have an old Keystone air compressor that I just bought with no engine. It had a gas engine of some sort on it but that is all I know. I have added some pictures of it also. Does anyone know what RPMs I should run this thing? I have a 16 hp Kohler engine I am using but need to know what pulley size I should get. The compressor's pulley is 16 inches. Sorry the pics aren't too good I just took them tonight after dark. Thanks in advance.

I'm just guessing, but most belt drive compressors run around 600-800 RPM.

I found this poking around the interweb, it's old, might be spam, but could be a lead!
Keystone Compressor

Most that I have worked with are 4 to one ratio. Try a 3 1/2 or 4 inch pulley. Actually...... go take your smart phone and stop at an older gas station or repair shop and take a couple of pictures of one of their old rigs. Take a ruler with you and measure stuff. Then when it starts up you can take a video. Then you will know what it should sound like. Use straight ND 30wt oil in her and, hey WERE are the air filters? Are you sure this might be a very old AC unit for ammonia refridgerant? I have fooled with some really old stuff but not this old. Looking at your picture this thing looks as if it is a two stage compressor. Let us see if anyone else jumps in here with a reply. PS. the more I am looking the more it doesn't look right. Hmmmmmm.

(quoted from post at 05:05:54 09/30/16) I'm just guessing, but most belt drive compressors run around 600-800 RPM.

I found this poking around the interweb, it's old, might be spam, but could be a lead!
Keystone Compressor

Click to expand...

Thanks for the lead, I will check into it!

I am thinking my 16 hp engine will have more than enough power so I was thinking I could run it at a lower rpm and get a bigger pulley (maybe 6 inch). But I may go with a 4 inch pulley since the compressor is so old it may not like getting up close to 1k rpms. I will add some pictures later that show the air filter. It has a screen on each side of the compressor. Can anyone tell me how this compressor works? I have never seen one like it and I read on another forum where a guy said it just had 1 piston. Thanks again guys!

(quoted from post at 20:46:04 09/30/16)
I am thinking my 16 hp engine will have more than enough power so I was thinking I could run it at a lower rpm and get a bigger pulley (maybe 6 inch). But I may go with a 4 inch pulley since the compressor is so old it may not like getting up close to 1k rpms. I will add some pictures later that show the air filter. It has a screen on each side of the compressor. Can anyone tell me how this compressor works? I have never seen one like it and I read on another forum where a guy said it just had 1 piston. Thanks again guys!

Click to expand...

Here are some more pictures if anyone can tell anything else about it? The tank says it was made in 1962.

(quoted from post at 02:02:51 10/01/16)

(quoted from post at 20:46:04 09/30/16)
I am thinking my 16 hp engine will have more than enough power so I was thinking I could run it at a lower rpm and get a bigger pulley (maybe 6 inch). But I may go with a 4 inch pulley since the compressor is so old it may not like getting up close to 1k rpms. I will add some pictures later that show the air filter. It has a screen on each side of the compressor. Can anyone tell me how this compressor works? I have never seen one like it and I read on another forum where a guy said it just had 1 piston. Thanks again guys!

Click to expand...

Here are some more pictures if anyone can tell anything else about it? The tank says it was made in 1962. Sorry I forgot to post pics earlier.

Click to expand...

Not sure how that was set up originally, electric or gas, but I would want to open up the unloader actuators and take a look inside.

Running it on gas, you need to know it is going to unload when it gets up to pressure. Good chance, as old as it is, the diaphragms are rotten, parts could be rusted in place. If the diaphragms fail, or the mechanism doesn't move, it will keep on pumping!

And, take a good look at the bottom of the tank. Scratch at it or wire brush it, look for pin holes. If in doubt, a safe way to test it is to fill it completely full of water, pressure it up to higher than it will be run at. If it gives it up, the water will just come out the failure instead of exploding.

(quoted from post at 04:36:06 10/01/16) Not sure how that was set up originally, electric or gas, but I would want to open up the unloader actuators and take a look inside.

Running it on gas, you need to know it is going to unload when it gets up to pressure. Good chance, as old as it is, the diaphragms are rotten, parts could be rusted in place. If the diaphragms fail, or the mechanism doesn't move, it will keep on pumping!

And, take a good look at the bottom of the tank. Scratch at it or wire brush it, look for pin holes. If in doubt, a safe way to test it is to fill it completely full of water, pressure it up to higher than it will be run at. If it gives it up, the water will just come out the failure instead of exploding.

Click to expand...

Good idea- I will check it out. I'm learning as I go- this is my first experience with air compressors. I am going to air up the tank from a distance before I put the engine on it just to make sure it is solid with no leaks.