1955 Broomwade Compressor restoration

[SutherlandsServices]

I have recently acquired a 1955 Broomwade compressor. It's got a bit of light damage and has been left to gather dust for years. I hope some of you here will be able to help with a part that is broken. The part circled in blue at the top of the compressor seems to pull on what looks like a small oil pump. I have assumed this is how it lubricates itself? I could be making the wrong assumptions there so if someone can enlighten me as to what exactly it is, that would be very much appreciated.

Assuming I can get or make the broken part, and nothing else major is wrong with it, i will post a video of it running before the end of next week.

 

[brightspark]

if its on top of the valve it will be a decompressor .theres a few diffrent types. a closer picture would help and where any pipework to it goes

 

[minimutly]

If I recal my decompressor was indeed connected to the sump oil pump. Compressor starts, runs for a few seconds, valve works as a valve again, compressor pumps air.

 

[brightspark]

If I recal my decompressor was indeed connected to the sump oil pump. Compressor starts, runs for a few seconds, valve works as a valve again, compressor pumps air.

yep thats it my big v twin was the same

 

[SutherlandsServices]

here are better pics. thank you

if its on top of the valve it will be a decompressor .theres a few diffrent types. a closer picture would help and where any pipework to it goes

 

[brightspark]

here are better pics. thank you


View attachment 354832 View attachment 354833 View attachment 354834 View attachment 354835 View attachment 354836 View attachment 354837 View attachment 354838 View attachment 354839 View attachment 354840 View attachment 354841

as said that is a decompressor worked of the oil pump by the looks

 

[Geoffm]

It uses oil pressure to keep a valve open until it gets up to speed. Your compressor looks like mine if you need a photo

 

[SutherlandsServices]

It uses oil pressure to keep a valve open until it gets up to speed. Your compressor looks like mine if you need a photo

A photo would be great if you don't mind.

The decompressor valve is actually broken altogether. the body is actually in 2 and the shaft was bent 90 deg. I bent it back a bit to see if I could test how it is supposed to work. i can probably make a replacement part if I can see how it is supposed to be

 

[Agroshield]

There is some discussion of I think the same issue here that might help: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/1950s-broomwade-piston-compressor.349969/

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@SutherlandsServices Welcome to the forum - it's a great place to be with loads of help and advice available, as you're finding out.

Can't help with the compressor but I see you're from my home town , and curiously I now live in Sutherland .

 

[SutherlandsServices]

There is some discussion of I think the same issue here that might help: https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/1950s-broomwade-piston-compressor.349969/

I also found this thread, a lot of helpful info. I can see that there isn't much in the way of parts, or even drawings available for these parts now.

 

[SutherlandsServices]

@SutherlandsServices Welcome to the forum - it's a great place to be with loads of help and advice available, as you're finding out.

Can't help with the compressor but I see you're from my home town , and curiously I now live in Sutherland .

Thanks for the welcome. I am pleasantly surprised by how helpful you guys have been already. Lots of help available, as you said.

I was visiting Sutherland the other week, the history is great there

 

[Alan Reynolds]

They look nice when restored. I restored this one. Had to make some piston rings fit from EBay. My favorite compressor. Just realised I've got five not three as I thought.

 

[bokoshoko]

I have the same compressor. The part you've highlighted is the unloader valve which is released when there's sufficient oil pressure from the crank, when there's not sufficient the valve is open and no compression happens. In the picture below you can see the rod from the brass cylinder above the crank end cover. If it's not been run for a while it's probably worth opening the brass cylinder and cleaning the valve which uses a leather seal which may have dried out.