Lunkenheimer primer

[bigblackmastiff]

I installed an ancient Lunkenheimer primer in my 1930 Waco. I'm regretting it now. I have a couple of them. They are both fantastic at leaking fuel on your ankles.

These primers don't have O rings, but instead have packing under the front nut. I replaced the packing material and it seems like that works well for the plunger and main body tube. I suppose because the plunger is not well sealed, a petcock is attached above. I'm having trouble with fuel leaking at this petcock.

The Valve is brass on brass with a tapered plug thru the center, secured with a spring and pin. I can see and feel scoring on the tapered plug and the inside face of the body. That seems to be the source of the leak.

I'm sure this was probably a routine issue when lots of these were in use. I'm guessing there are guys here that have rebuilt a few. I may go ahead and install a slightly bigger and newer version that is more modern, but since I have my panel all set up with this and the lines run maybe one more shot at fixing this. I thought I'd throw it up here for ideas so I'm not reinventing the wheel.

I was thinking valve grinding compound might work to renew the fit of the valve. I also was looking at just replacing the petcock. It looks like I can buy a similar Lunkenheimer petcock but it isn't set up with the attachment for the arm. Maybe it would work ok to braze the handle onto a NOS petcock valve? I have some photos on another device, I'll add soon.

Thanks,
Dan.

 

[bigblackmastiff]

 

[Larry Lyons]

 

[bigblackmastiff]

 

[tdwrv8]

 

[bigblackmastiff]

 

[LauraJ]

 

[bigblackmastiff]

 

[Ralsmark]

 

[bigblackmastiff]

 

[ulpilot]

 

[william f natale]