Pneumatic lift leather seal

[Wylieboy]

Now that the B is running (quite well, actually!), I am moving on to re-building the pneumatic lift. I took it apart, and it all looks fine, except of course, for the leather seal on the piston. And the cable wrapped around the piston in the groove is Not a continuous circle, it’s just a length of what looks like a lawnmower throttle cable. Where do I get a leather, and is the cable thing Ok?

[Jim Becker]

Been a while since I had one of those expansion springs in my hand. Your description sounds close. Does one end of the part end with a straight section that fits into the other end? The leather (piston cup) is part 15184E. You might be able to find a lead using google. Gene Bender (in Iowa) does a lot with these lift systems and may be able to help with a cup. Here is an old thread with some of his contact information:
viewtopic.php?f=170&t=23737

[Wylieboy]

The expansion spring is hollow, and has about an inch long wire stuck in one end, which seems to link it to the other end, forming the circle. If I can find a cup, I think I’ll be in business.

[Wylieboy]

Have you ever been inside the pressure valve on top the manifold? Is it just a butterfly valve, or more complicated?

[Jim Becker]

No, a butterfly valve would probably always be stuck. I'm not sure what you would call it. It is sort of a cross between a flap valve and a globe valve. The internal parts are pretty well illustrated in the parts catalog.

[Wylieboy]

Mine is empty, all welded up, even welded to the manifold. If it doesn’t look too complicated, I might have my machinist son try to make one.

[Wylieboy]

Where does one find said parts catalog?

[Jim Becker]

In the PDF manuals on this site. If you want a hard copy, there are multiple sources of used originals or Binder Books should have a reprint.

[Wylieboy]

Thanks!

[Jim Becker]

This isn't the best image. But the cross section of the pressure valve is close enough to see how it should work. Click it for a copy big enough to see,