Vacuum pipes - early Major

Cornishbloke · Post by **Cornishbloke** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:10 pm

The two vacuum pipes on my 1952 Major need replacing as one is fractured and the other virtually rusted through. I have been unable to source any ready formed, and cannot find the little olives which seal the pipe in the existing fittings. These are virtually a small ball of brass - something the local pressure pipe supplier has never seen.

Is there a source of ready made pipes, or does anyone have details of a supplier of the component parts?

Many thanks

Richard

John-Paul · Post by **John-Paul** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:54 pm

Could you use conventional pipe fittings, that have the correct thread for the regulator at one end, and a normal gland fitting at the other end?

I came across the type of pipe end you describe recently when replacing a fuel line on my tractor, and the above solution worked there.

Hope this helps?

skateboss · Post by **skateboss** » Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:07 pm

I had to make one of my own as I had the same problem.

It's a bit of a long shot but why not try your local diesel fitter shop?

If they cant do it, they may know somewhere that you can get the parts.

ooh just thought....... http://www.cotswoldvintagetractors.com/
I bought a couple of push rods for my super major from these guys. they have loads of spares so this is probably the best place to go.

Cornishbloke · Post by **Cornishbloke** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:30 am

Hi Chris

I've tried to make new pipes using 9/16 adaptors, but it isn't working. I have had to up the pipe size to 3/8 and the bends by the manifold are too tight because of the length of the adaptor. How did you make a new one?

Richard

skateboss · Post by **skateboss** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:50 pm

A friend of mine gave me a coil of copper pipe, which was very pliable so I just made a replica of the original pipe using my hands.

Then I just soldered some olives on the ends using a blowtorch and some thick solder.

hope this helps. If not try that link that I gave you in my last post.

skateboss · Post by **skateboss** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:10 am

Hi Richard, how did you get on?

Post by **Brian** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:29 am

I have access to new pipes ex-Ford stock but I need to know whether it is an early Major where the pipes went over the water pump or the later version where they went behind the thermostat housing.

Cornishbloke · Post by **Cornishbloke** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:02 pm

Hi All

I've had an offer from Cotswold tractors of two pipes - many thanks for the lead. The engine is very early and I will check tomorrow morning which way they run.

I would prefer new ones if I can get them; they seem to be key to getting the engine to run smoothly. I'll come back to you all tomorrow when I know a bit more about the routing. On the plus side I now have all the parts I need to get the rhs king pin and bush together, so it's off to the engineering contact on Saturday.

Don't the front wheels weigh a ton!!!

Richard

skateboss · Post by **skateboss** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:06 am

No worries, I'm glad that it is finally me helping someone, instead of Brian lol.

They certainly do, I have just taken mine to get them shot blasted. I'm a fairly muscley guy but I had a job lugging them about lol.

Best wishes

p.s. I just had to edit this post as I just realised that after sending this post I am now true blue yippee lol.

skateboss · Post by **skateboss** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:09 am

No worries, I'm glad that it is finally me helping someone, instead of Brian lol.

They certainly do, I have just taken mine to get them shot blasted. I'm a fairly muscley guy but I had a job lugging them about lol.

Best wishes

yippee I'm true blue now lol

Cornishbloke · Post by **Cornishbloke** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:12 pm

Hi Brian

The pipes on mine run along the rocker box and then turn right immediately between the thermostat housing and the rocker box before going down to the governor. The water pump is below the thermostat housing a good couple of inches.

Do you have pipes that would fit?

Hi Skateboss

I'm thinking about having my front wheels shot blasted - how did you protect the wheel bearing surface, or is this something that shotblasters do automatically?

Thanks

Richard

Post by **Brian** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:58 pm

Yes. They should be no problem.

Post by **Brian** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:26 pm

I now have the pipes in my hot sticky fingers

. If you want them send me a PM or e-mail with the details.

Post by **Brian** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:11 am

Thanks Richard. The speed they arrived with you is quite a tribute to the much maligned British Postal Service.