Westinghouse compressor head unit

[MattF]

Just wondered if anyone might have any ideas what this head unit is from:

Had it knocking about for a few years now. It's one of those projects on the todo list. Never had the faintest idea whether it is from a standard compressor system though, or whether it might have been used for some other purpose. Also, is that the correct orientation, (picture one), with the mounting plate horizontal and the cylinder to the side, or should it be mounted with the baseplate vertical and the cylinder uppermost?


Cheers.

 

[tigler]

Thats a truck air brake compressor. Good for a self build compressor.

 

[brightspark]

more than likely air brakes comp of a wagon/ me bruv bought one of an old war dept bedford and the cylinders are horizontal

 

[rtbcomp]

Is there a dipstick? - possibly that bolt on the right of the top picture. Any chance of pictures of the two end elevations?

 

[MattF]

Thats a truck air brake compressor. Good for a self build compressor.

Cheers. It's always bugged me as to what it might be from. Had an idea it wasn't a standard compressor system, but had absolutely no idea from what it came. Any idea which way is up, so to speak? Is it actually laying on its side in that first pic, or is that the correct orientation?

Everything seems smooth and free enough when rotated by hand, (and it pops away merrily), so it doesn't appear there's owt major which needs sorting with it.

 

[MattF]

Is there a dipstick? - possibly that bolt on the right of the top picture. Any chance of pictures of the two end elevations?

No idea on the dipstick front. Must admit I'd never thought to look. I'll nip back outside in a bit and check. I'll grab some more photos of it whilst I'm there too.

 

[tigler]

The mounting lugs can be seen in the second image but it's not obvious which way up it would be. They are high quality units and provide good air volume.
Recently I bought a home build compressor using a Leyland air brake compressor which someone made a very good job of. The compressor unit has it's own pressure fed lube system and is built like a tank !

 

[MattF]

The mounting lugs can be seen in the second image but it's not obvious which way up it would be. They are high quality units and provide good air volume.

I'm still as stumped on the orientation front then. Good to hear they have a decent bit of flow. Wasn't sure, judging from the size, as to whether it would be much cop on that front or not.

Recently I bought a home build compressor using a Leyland air brake compressor which someone made a very good job of. The compressor unit has it's own pressure fed lube system and is built like a tank !

Aye, they definitely seem sturdy. Quite heavy for their size.

Pics of it from all sides, (apologies if the pictures are crap. Photography isn't my forte):

Not sure if any of those are dipsticks. Thought that it would be just my luck for bits of a spring valve or similar to go flying if I undid anything, so didn't risk undoing owt to check just yet.

 

[MattF]

more than likely air brakes comp of a wagon/ me bruv bought one of an old war dept bedford and the cylinders are horizontal

I'm inclined to think this one may mount that way, but I seem to have a knack for picking the incorrect of two options. You wouldn't happen to know what specific type/make he has, would you?

 

[rtbcomp]

The square shape on the last picture of the Westinghouse looks like an oil pump, the screw at the top is most likely to prime it after changing the oil. On mine the priming port is at the top of the unit, which may give a clue as to orientation.

If it is pressurised oil feed then it is important to get the direction of rotation correct.

 

[MattF]

The square shape on the last picture of the Westinghouse looks like an oil pump, the screw at the top is most likely to prime it after changing the oil. On mine the priming port is at the top of the unit, which may give a clue as to orientation.

Top as in just that priming port pointing upwards, or top as in that square plate, pump end being uppermost when the unit is mounted?

If it is pressurised oil feed then it is important to get the direction of rotation correct.

Are there any methods for figuring the direction out? Can't say as I've noted an ything specifying the direction of rotation on the unit or flywheel itself.

 

[rtbcomp]

Top as in the screw is at the top with the plate sitting vertically.

There are some pictures of my Westinghouse under "Compressors" in my photo album.

 

[eil]

If it hasn't got an oil pump the two plugs could well be the oil level for the sump, that is if it was mounted upright, similar to the York compressors. Mind you I would have thought that they could be mounted both ways, this looks like being an interesting project.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd be inclined to take the inspection plate off and have a look inside.

 

[MattF]

There are some pictures of my Westinghouse under "Compressors" in my photo album.

Cheers. Just had a look at those. Like the oil filter idea, btw. Does that have enough flow to cater for the pumps intake, without causing restriction?

If it hasn't got an oil pump the two plugs could well be the oil level for the sump, that is if it was mounted upright, similar to the York compressors. Mind you I would have thought that they could be mounted both ways, this looks like being an interesting project.

Must say, I'd never realised there was so much variation in compressor unit design. Hopefully it will be a tidy project. Must have had it sat here a good several years now, so it's about time I got around to it.

I'd be inclined to take the inspection plate off and have a look inside.

Will do.

 

[rtbcomp]

Cheers. Just had a look at those. Like the oil filter idea, btw. Does that have enough flow to cater for the pumps intake, without causing restriction?

Seems fine, I'm not sure how many CFMs it's putting out, but not as many as my Clarke 3hp 14cfm. I'm running it off a 2hp motor.

 

[MattF]

Good to hear. The beauty of those is that they're compact, cheap and readily available locally. Hope you don't mind if I nick that idea to use here?

 

[rtbcomp]

OK by me - I nicked it off another member on here!

 

[chugger69]

That compressor is definatley off a train.

Westinghouse make signals and used to make brakes for wagons/locos.
I used to work for them many moons ago but the brakes part is no more - sold off and asset striped.
I would try one of the train spotting forums for more details.

Searching for the part number in google comes up with nothing.
good luck

 

[MattF]

Cheers. I'll pursue that avenue and see if I can come up with owt.

OK by me - I nicked it off another member on here!