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john hopper 12-03-2004 14:46:47 64.12.117.8 143047 Report to Moderator	I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with old air compressors,particularly a compressor that used a ford v8 engine.The compressor was 4 0f the cylinders and it ran on the other 4,does anybody have any info.on these.I am wanting to build one of these and any information will help thanks [Reply]   [No Email]
Mike Powers 01-02-2005 18:02:06 205.188.117.8 144821 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   I have that very same compressor siting out in my yard.........can't decide what to do with it. If you got any questions or have any ideas for what to do with mine email me at mrdistractor@aol.com. They pump an unreal amount of air.......and if you dont regulate them properly they will melt down your air hoses......Kinda happy to see someone has an interest in these old things.   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Jason Blakley 12-20-2004 11:52:49 216.180.33.113 144052 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   I found a page with a commercial version of what your looking for, but no offers on the home-made rig. Let me know if you ever find the plans or any other info on it... Good luck. -- Jason Southern Tool   [Reply]   [No Email]
Josh (Holt T-35) 12-06-2004 20:44:52 66.52.147.170 143175 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   Where I work, we have a locomotive that runs on compressed natural gas. The compressor looks like a normal trailer mounted compressor. It has a Ford 460 with a small turbo. 1/2 is powered, by the natural gas it compresses. The other side compresses the gas to 3600PSI in 4 intercooled stages. The incoming pressure is around 20PSI from the gas company. The 4 compressor cylinders get progressivly smaller throught each stage. The final stage looks like it is around 1 1/2 bore. Of course, this unit produces very high pressures. Other than electrical problems, the engine runs great without excessive vibration. I don't think it idles, it fires up and goes to operating speed. Josh   [Reply]   [No Email]
Roger P. 12-06-2004 21:14:25 69.196.152.43 143179 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to Josh (Holt T-35), 12-06-2004 20:44:52   I believe that's an Atlas natural gas compressor.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Charles (in GA) 12-04-2004 20:18:21 24.107.167.4 143092 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   I know a guy who has a Ford flathead V8 he restored. It was set up as a 4 cyl air compressor/4 cyl gas engine, and also drove a 220v generator, all mounted on a trailer. Charles   [Reply]   [No Email]
e 12-04-2004 07:04:49 128.104.49.43 143075 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   I think this is what you are talking about: Ford 302 Compressor   [Reply]   [No Email]
MarkB_MI 12-04-2004 06:15:58 64.31.11.86 143072 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   Many years ago a friend of mine bought plans for one of these, but he never built it. I think he found the plans in a Popular Mechanics classified ad or something like that. The design was fairly straightforward: You replaced one of the ford heads with a steel plate that had primitive check valves installed. The unused half of the intake manifold was blocked off. I just googled to see if these plans can be found on the web. No luck.   [Reply]   [No Email]
jimlll 12-03-2004 19:41:26 63.25.185.147 143061 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   I have a PORTA AIR compressor that employs a Buick V6 engine. The right bank has a special head that includes special valves. I have been told they also made a compressor based on the Ford V8 engine. I have completely rebuilt/restored this unit and have just begun to use it for light sand blasting. This unit was manufactured by General Leasing Company of Kansas City Kansas. I have been unsucessful in obtaining any new parts for this unit.   [Reply]   [No Email]
G E Hawkins 04-17-2006 09:58:35 153.2.246.33 171382 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to jimlll, 12-03-2004 19:41:26   jimlll I just picked up a compressor like yours, any info or hints you have would be helpful. Please drop me an e-mail at gehawk007@verizon.net   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Roger P. 12-03-2004 18:10:31 69.196.152.43 143057 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to john hopper, 12-03-2004 14:46:47   Gordon Smith and Grimmer Schmidt both made or make this type of compressor. If you can find a dead one and scrounge parts you may have something. Otherwise, it will probably be best to look for a cheap portable rotary screw at an auction.   [Reply]   [No Email]
oldrustycars 12-06-2004 10:09:24 69.212.1.120 143145 Report to Moderator	Re: 289-302 ford air compressor in reply to Roger P., 12-03-2004 18:10:31   as has been stated, grimmer schmidt and smith make these. they are 100 cfm with a 302, 150 cfm with a 460. they have a special head, with air valves that are cooled by engine coolant. also have valves that control rpm, and that allow the engine to rev up, then it starts making air, stops making air, then throttles down. its VERY important that a Cloyes True Roller timing chain be used. with half the lifters removed, the cam gets very weird harmonics, and any other chain will break in less than 50 hours...ive seen it many times. your best bet would be to find one at a municipal auction, or check rental stores when they sell old ones.   [Reply]   [No Email]