Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion How tight is too tight

I just restored my Fry pump and has an original tinted cylinder.I'm a fraid of tighting the rods to tight.How tight is safe or too tight?I'm going to transport to Auburn next week and dont want no crackes.

Jeff, I use 5/16 rods if originals are not good, with lockwashers { on the bottom} and nuts. When I install the rods, I use the old cylinder head method of tightening the nuts across from each other about snug. Then going back and repeating the proccess two more times until the lock washers are set. I've never had a problem with cracking on any restored pumps. Just remember to use the cork gaskets top and bottom.....you should be fine. Paul

Don't Fry pumps (at least 17 and 117) use 1/4 inch rods? I use 5/16 on everything else. Good info on the "cylinder head" method, as I've never had problems doing it that way, too.

Jim Winter
The Hot Rod Grille Garage
www.wvpinball.com

Jim, Most did use the smaller size but I like the look of the more substantial rods. Strictly by choice. Paul

We use lockwashers and the cylinder head method, if you just collapse the lock washers using cork gasket that will be tight enough......Rich B

Thanks Paul,I used Brass rods with Acorn nuts on top and bottom and Brass washers but no lock washers. The top is cast Iron and the holes are counter sunk so I had to use flat washers to keep the acorn nuts from sinking in the holes.Is it real inportant to use the lock washers?Should I also put tape on the cylinder while traveling with it?

I've never transported a restored pump before, only the farm fresh variety where the cylinders were still sealed in with the nasty stuff. I've never had a cylinder break on me fortunately, but with one that's been restored wouldn't it be safer to travel without the cylinder in it?

Jeff, The reason I use lock washers is that I have had rods come loose in transit when no lock washers were intalled. You take the chance that the cylinder will shift and that can cause problems. When I transport a restored visible, I lay it on it's back in a 30" wide by 8' long plywood box. There is a saddle that I have built into the box to support the upper part......all padded very well....and strap the pump in.....At the bottom, I lag the base to the box floor with one or two lags, carefully sleeved to prevent paint chipping. All this is done before I lay it down. Packed this way, the pumps travel very well. Never used tape.....don't know if that would work? Hope this info helps? Paul

Stop tightening just before it breaks !!!!
Old plumber's advice about tightening toilets