Blog

A blog about my the history, acquisition and operation of my 1911 Model 62 Stanley Steamer.

Stanley Steamer Fuel Pump Rebuild : Pt. 5

I'm happy to say this is the final fuel pump rebuild post. After it was all said and done the only pump that didn't get removed was the oil pump. The majority of the mounting hardware was incorrect and needed to be changed.

The final job after the plumbing was finished was to bleed the air out of the system and make sure the pumps were properly primed. For the fuel system I opened the fuel shutoff valve and then removed the hand pump plunger to allow the air out until fuel started to flow. Then I replaced the plunger and began building pressure in the system. Once I got to about 40psi I opened the main fuel valves and let the fuel run out to atmosphere through the branch forks to release any residual air that didn't come out.

 Priming the hand water pumps is not necessary as it is only used when the valve under the floor is opened. The power pumps were bled by cracking the line just before the boiler check valve and rotating the wheels until a steady steam of water is being produced.

 As always it was a bigger job then I had originally thought it would be but I found and resolved some issues that would have left me stranded on the side of the road so it was worth the effort. I'm looking forward to some good we weather so I can take it out for a test drive!

Stanley Steamer Fuel Pump Rebuild : Pt. 4

It has been a while but I'm back working on the Stanley. The power pumps are all mounted back in the pump pit. Both of the water pumps and the fuel pump needed new shafts made. The oil pump packing nut had backed off because the keeper was missing so that had to remade. Sometime during its past someone attempted to repaint the floor without removing the pumps and plumbing so a lot of time was spent stripping green paint off of the various components. I still need to finish re-plumbing the pumps but its nice to see things going back together. The next step will be removing the hand operated water pump and installing new rubber feed lines to the water pumps.  

Stanley Steamer Fuel Pump Rebuild : Pt. 3

Like most jobs on this vehicle the fuel pump rebuild has expanded to a general power pumps rebuild. The "H-Casting" that the power fuel pump threads into had badly damaged threads and needed to be removed to have them fixed. This in turn required me to remove both the front and rear water pumps to gain access to it.

 Upon close inspection the the front water pump shaft had come loose from the "H-casting" and damaged the threads on the pump shaft and the excess movement has put some severe markings on the shaft itself. This would explain why I had a constant leaking problem that required new packing all the time. A new pump shaft will need to be made.

 The rear water pump was in reasonable condition considering that its last rebuild was in the early eighties. The finish on the pump shaft was a little worn down so I decided now that it has been removed I might as well make a new one.

The pump pit will need a good clean before anything goes back in so it will easier to pinpoint leaking pumps in the future.

Stanley Steamer Fuel Pump Rebuild : Pt. 2

 After draining and cleaning the water tanks I stripped out the rear water pump plumbing so I could remove the fuel pump from the pump pit. It came out with little fuss. Once I got it on the bench it became apparent the shaft was a total loss. There is 15 thou clearance easily and the shaft is scoured and coke bottled. The retaining nut for the outlet check ball is not a factory piece and it looks to have been some road side fix. It is also going to need to be remade. After speaking with Pat, I decided to go with 2 thou clearance between the pump shaft and the bore and to make the shaft out of steel instead of the brass that was used previously. The retainer nut for the check ball will be made out of bronze.