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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Need some advice and help from Roger P or some ot

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Gene Davis (Ga.

10-30-2004 19:46:28




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I have a vintage Curtis 2 stage shop compressor. The numbers on the crankshaft end cover opposite the pulley are, 8816 1402 the next line above that says, size; 3x1-5/8x3 Minimum speed 300 r.p.m.,then Curtis Compressor Co. St. Louis Mo. Can anybody offer a guess at it's age? I suspect maybe the late 30's to early 40's. It works well at a range of 85-100 PSI whenever called upon. It is an oldie, but reliable goodie that has been plugging away in my shop for about 30 years now. Only repair was a head gasket and valve lapping job when I put it into use in the 70's and add the oil bath air cleaner. Noe the usual maintainence consists of cleaning out the crankcase and changing the oil as the tag says. Did relap the valves this spring. The valve springs which look like they are made out of a medium sized piano wire and used to close the flat stainless disk valves are getting weak and they let the valves chatter some. It is still pumping good and working o.k. Just takes a little longer to pump up now. You can hear the valves chattering some, so I suppose it is leaking back from the high pressure side to the low pressure pop off valve, as it clicks somewhat even with the valves cleaned and lapped. I would like to know where if anywhere might I obtain parts for this elderly machine. It is like me, I guess it should be allowed to draw it's social security check, but like me it needs to keep chugging on. It was on a riveted tank with a flat belt drive when I bought it from a used machinery dealer and put it on a newer tank and had v-belt grooves machine in the flywheel. turn it about 940 rpms with a 1-1/2 h.p. 230 v 1 phase motor now and it does a wonderful job, supplies plenty of shop air. I need to find some new valve springs for it before it breaks one and has a disaster. Are parts available, or has Curtis been gobbled up by another company and no parts available. I guess if push comes to a shove I may have to find some one or some way to wind springs. Wonder how big a job that would be?

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Roger P.

11-01-2004 12:54:30




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 Re: Need some advice and help from Roger P or som in reply to Gene Davis (Ga.), 10-30-2004 19:46:28  
A certain amount of clicking is normal, but I would also check that the bolts going through the valve caps which seat the valve in the head are properly tightened down. Valves will float up and down in the head if they are not tightened sufficiently. This assumes, of course, that your Curtis uses this system. Curtis is still alive and kicking. It might be worth an e-mail to them to see if parts are still available. If not, try going through a compressor shop to Independent Components Corp. in New York. If worst comes to worst, springs from a different compressor may be modified to fit.

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Gene Davis (Ga.)

11-01-2004 20:24:36




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 Re: Need some advice and help from Roger P or som in reply to Roger P., 11-01-2004 12:54:30  
Checked with several Curtis Compressor sources and they tell me that the "88" series as they called mine was discontinued according to them in the late 30's. Seems that the parts supplies for it dried up in the 60's.. What I guess I'll do is try to find the closest matching springs and use them. hate to run it till it self destructs, been too good a compressor for that to happen. Can I shim the springs like you do an auto valve to make it work better? The springs are not broken they are just somewhat weak. Thanks people for taking the time to answer me. Gene Davis

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Gene Davis (Ga.)

11-01-2004 20:22:49




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 Re: Need some advice and help from Roger P or som in reply to Roger P., 11-01-2004 12:54:30  
Checked with several Curtis Compressor sources and they tell me that the "88" series as they called mine was discontinued according to them in the late 30's. Seems that the parts supplies for it dried up in the 60's.. What I guess I'll do is try to find the closest matching springs and use them. hate to run it till it self destructs, been too good a compressor for that to happen. Can I shim the springs like you do an auto valve to make it work better? The springs are not broken they are just somewhat weak. Thanks people for taking the time to answer me. Gene Davis

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Gene Davis (Ga.)

11-01-2004 20:20:14




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 Re: Need some advice and help from Roger P or som in reply to Roger P., 11-01-2004 12:54:30  
Checked with several Curtis Compressor sources and they tell me that the "88" series as they called mine was discontinued according to them in the late 30's. Seems that the parts supplies for it dried up in the 60's.. What I guess I'll do is try to find the closest matching springs and use them. hate to run it till it self destructs, been too good a compressor for that to happen. Can I shim the springs like you do an auto valve to make it work better? The springs are not broken they are just somewhat weak. Thanks people for taking the time to answer me. Gene Davis

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Davis In SC

10-30-2004 20:30:12




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 Re: Need some advice and help from Roger P or som in reply to Gene Davis (Ga.), 10-30-2004 19:46:28  
Associated Spring in Asheville, NC has almost any type of spring you could imagine...They prefer to sell in quantity, but I imagine they would help you out. Good folks to deal with, I have a catalog at the shop, but I think it is online too...



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DL

10-30-2004 19:57:10




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 Re: Need some advice and help from Roger P or som in reply to Gene Davis (Ga.), 10-30-2004 19:46:28  
There are a number of companies that sell springs... found one that will custom make if necessary... Reed tool... should be able to locate on a web search.
Regards, DL



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Mike in Illinois

10-30-2004 21:57:40




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 Re: Need some advice and help from Roger P or som in reply to DL, 10-30-2004 19:57:10  
I realize it is in Illinois but try A1 Air COmpressor. www.a1air.com Call their 800 number on the web site. They service Curtis air compressors and should be able to help you out.



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