Thanks Gene, email's on the way. Gotta watch it, I don’t want to turn this into a parts
wanted thread that's not the intention. These autopsies are just experimental, and it
will take time to seek out sources for the parts and tooling to reassemble the paddle.
Some of the materials might not even be available. It’s not really practical to rebuild these
yet, much cheaper to have Ficken do the rebuild for you.
According to the patents from the 40's, 50's, the seal material was treated with a cellulose
nitrate and graphite compound. That....might be pretty hard to find, most likely
impossible so there must be a modern day sub that the rebuilder’s are using.
The valve appears to be formed from the same fabric but since it doesn't have to slide like
the cup packing material that is used for the paddle seal a rubberized fabric should work
fine for that. I believe one of the patents that Kurt linked me to mentioned that the valve
would be made from a rubber material.
I'm trying to figure out a way of steam forming rubberized fabric now. Not sure if it can
be done after it is cured or if you have to do the forming before it’s vulcanized and use
the steam to vulcanize the rubber. The vacuum motor valve disc appears to be formed like
the Carter YF accelerator diaphragms were. This might just be deformation that I’m
seeing from its slammed up into its seat. I'll know more when I can compaire a few
more examples.
Ah,,,,those little details, and I do like a challenge!
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
Last edited by Denny Graham; 02/19/2012 2:25 PM.
