VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1927 Stuart Pump

I am looking for a start vacuum pump for my 27 chevy, or at least the top piece. Mine broke where the fuel line threads in. Or is there away to repair the cast metal?

Just to get by for now, you could glue a 1/8 " NPT threaded bushing or coupling to the top of vacuum tank with JB Weld.

Maybe someone has a good used one that they'll sell you.

Cheers, Dean

There are some that can weld (or solder) die-cast metal. A reproduction top is available from folks like Gary Wallace and the Filling Station (part no. GR-415). I would think welding might be more expensive/risky?

oH WOW

As a matter of interest, I have an old spare vacuum tank which at some time in the past has had one side of the thread where the fuel line screws into the tank top broken away. It was neatly repaired using a clamp which has a thin flexible metal band tightened by a thumb screw holding the broken piece in place, presumably reinforced by some form of metal adhesive to stop any leakage.

I have never seen another one of these, but I suspect it was commercially made for the purpose (possibly during WW2 when new parts were not available here) as a quick emergency fix for this common problem. Wonder if anyone still stocks them?

Frank.

frano, please post a picture of the repaired tank top. I, for one, would love to see it.

Thanks! Dean

I would like to see it too...

Hi Dean,

I can't post photos in Chat, but if you PM me with your email address I will send you a photo. Your are welcome to post it if you think it might be useful to someone.

After looking at the tank again for the first time in several years, this might or might not not be a clamp made specially for the job. It might just be a small commercial band clamp which has been adapted. In either case it appears to have been a successful repair, though I haven't actually used this tank myself.

Regards,

Frank.

My experience is not to waste your time with old tops. They are die-cast and once crystalised (broken) it is all over for them. And so often they are also buckled around the edge from over tightening. Experience has also revealed that a lot of the problems around the broken connection bosses is due to rather poor quality casting with air bubbles in them.
I lashed out and bought a new reproduction top of much superior cast aluminium. They are superbly made, detailed and machined, even down to having the exact sized holes for the linkage pins to press fit into.
I think you will find the tops you have access to in the US are in fact made here in OZ and if so I can certainly vouch for their quality.They are spot on.
Stewart tanks are extremely reliable, and just about bullet proof if you have a fuel filter fitted in-line anywhere convenient BEFORE the fuel gets to the vacuum tank.
I think a new top is a much better option than mongrel electric fuel pumps at about the same cost, certainly more reliable.

Drlowz
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37Blue

Is it a 4 or 8 bolt cap? I have about 6 spares and would be happy to send you one. Eric @ (303)725-3040 Reno, NV

Here's a picture of franco's clamp repaired vacuum tank.

Cheers, Dean

Hi Dean.

Thanks for posting the photo of the old vacuum tank repair for me. It may be of some interest to some forum members as an unusual historical item.

The clamp is a very good fit on the boss on the tank top - the shadow gives a false impression. It also appears to be too wide, but it is not seated properly on the tank top. The fuel pipe connection screws easily into the tank thread, so the thread has not been damaged.

I agree with Rusty Relic - it would be silly to use this method of repairing a tank except as a "get me home" emergency measure if a new top is available. I was not meaning to suggest it as an alternative to a new top, just pointing out that 75 years ago few people had much money for repairs, and in any case parts like new tank tops were just not available in Australia because of WW2 shipping space shortages. Make-do repairs and gadgets like these to extend the life of worn or damaged parts were common.

I worked in a garage in Sydney about 1947 and 1948 in my school vacations, and learned a lot about temporary repairs when new parts did not exist! More recently I rebuilt a number of wooden wheels from the teens and twenties, and some of the temporary fixes which had been used to keep the wheels in use were just plain frightening.

Frank

A reproduction Stewart top is available exactly the same as the original, they are not cheap but US dollar is 25% better than AU dollar so you get a discount.
Have a look at www.vintageandclassicreproductions.com just follow the pages to 27 Chev.
Advice only I have no affiliation with this company.

There are several of these tanks listed for sale on eBay. Some are not very pricey at all.

Be careful as some are pure junk. If you ask the eBay seller to check the internals you can likely get one in good shape for a reasonable cost.

These radiator hose clamps look pretty close to the clamp on the vacuum tank repair. They are listed on eBay as 1921-1924 Buick radiator hose and clamp set.

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/galleries/383134

In many cases the old top can bee repaired

Drlowz,
Re: 1927 Stuart Pump
I checked my basement parts for signs of a top plate that matches the picture that Dean posted for you. As it happens, I found that we indeed have one that matches yours, and looks in pretty good shape. It includes the float valve and float (don't know its condition).
If you send me your address, off-line, I would be glad to send it to you for just the cost of shipping. George at: gdchildsjr@sbcglobal.net