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Dad picked up an Ottawa Pump that he had been chasing for years over the weekend. Few questions: The original blue tint cylinder is still in the pump some paint around bottom of cylinder acting as caulking and and bolts on top are stuck, How do you safely get it out? Secondly, The cast body has some pitting (more than sandblast will help) What can you put on it to sand down and get a smooth surfuace to paint, What will adhere well to the cast body?

Any help is appreciated,
jim patton

PS: It is a nice one except for the pitting only missing hose and nozzle, How many +/- are out there? (We have only seen two in person over 18 years of collecting)

Hey Okoil! I personally have found at least 4 or so and I know of another 20 or so in collections.

As far as the cylinder there are lots of ways to get them removed as everyone has there own method. The biggest thing is to GO SLOW! Never press on the glass to wiggle it free. I use an awl to scrape away as much of the filler material and then soak for a good while. Take you time and it will come free.

As far as the pump it self I think it is acutually well casings that were made into the pump. Of course they were made just north of you in Ottawa KS as they made other garage equipment such as hoists and engine's as well. Blast the pump then fill the pits with bondo and sand and paint. It will look great. That is one HEAVY pump for sure. I think the top alone is 60 pounds...

Great find post some photo's!

Scott

As Scott says, take your time, use something like a dentist pick. Don't ever try and see if the cylinder is loose, let it tell you it is loose.
Jack Sim

A hacksaw blade sharpened like a hook is good to gouge the litharge ( the lwhite stuff which is LEAD out of the groove. Add plenty of WD-40 daily over several days. The rods should also be applied with WD-40. Turn them forward and backward till they loosen up, but be carefull to turn each rod a little at a time - just like every other rod.

Koz

I picked up an Ottowa a while back up north.It still had the original sinclair etched cylinder in it with a red sticker on it advertising something(I forgot)!When I removed the cylinder I used a GM lubricant and just kept spraying it on the white sealant letting it soak in.The caulking just seemed to loosen up rather quickley and I just kept working on it till done.Just sold it on here a week ago!

I've got two Ottawas (not for sale) that you can see on my web site at:
http://www.geocities.com/tim_rohr/

One is faily smooth and the other one is deeply pitted like yours. I haven't decided yet whether to fill the pits in or leave them that way. When asked about the pits it always gives me the opportunity to tell people the story about how they were made from well casings.

[This message has been edited by Tim Rohr (edited 04-06-2005).]