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I JUST BOUGHT A 1951 6100 WITH A BENDIX-WESTINGHOUSE TU-FLO BRAKING SYSTEM. Model number 27414 (partial?). The compressor seems to work fine but if I need to rebuild it, where would I send it to be worked on or can kits be purchased so I can do it myself. Where could I pick up a book on it?

This is a sweet old truck. It shows wear-and-tear but no abuse. It also has a 2 spd rearend and a twin-cylinder hoist.

WOW !,This was a Dealer add-on accessory, on a Chevrolet,of this year model. Seen alot about them in the Chevrolet Truck equipment "Silver Books", but never seen a setup in person. I'd love to see some pictures of one. as long as it's building air pressure, & you have no leaks, I wouldn't touch it. contact Bendix, they may have some info., on it. you'll need a complete model no. though.

That same compressor, probably updated by now, is still in use on new or recent trucks.
You can find some reasonable deals on re manufactured compressors on ebay, There are a lot of different versions, so compare pictures closely.
You can also buy rebuild parts from Bendix (at least for the newer ones) but it's somewhat difficult to get what you want. I've bought some stuff through Central Truck and Trailer Parts in Hagerstown MD, ask for Randal 301-797-1995.
I've got a copy of what they call a "service manual" for the Tu-Flo 501 I'm running, but it's lousy and not much help. I think I got it from the Bendix website.
I'd look in some old motors manuals, even some GM truck manuals from the 60's for hopefully better manuals on the compressor.

Pictures would help.

Grigg

If the compressor is working fine, don't worry about it. My fleet logged over a million a year for many years with BW compressors. When they wear out, they start pumping oil into the air system. Just make sure you drain your air tanks regularly. If white looking water comes out, thats normal. If its slimy gray or black, your compressor is pumping a little oil, but that doesn't really hurt anything. About the only thing that goes bad on them is the governor. Usually a tap with a screw driver handle will fix them. I'm not sure when governors on truck compressors became standard, but I do know that compressors of the 60's use the same governor as a new truck. They cost about $12 and I keep spares on the shelf. The basic design of the BW two cylinder compressor has changed very little over the last 60 years and they were tough compressors. Although Holset or Wabco are my compressor of choice, I still run a few BW 550 compressors which are very similar to the compressor you have. Almost any belt drive compressor can be made to work if yours ever needs to be replaced.

I have some pictures and a couple of videos of the motor/compressor in action. All we had to do was put in a battery and prime the carb. It started on the first try.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imakatzenjammer/sets/72157623451543110/

Looks like this one doesn't oil from the engine like the newer ones do and it appears to be air cooled instead of water cooled. The governor which is the thing on the side of the compressor toward the firewall looks like current production ones. If it ever quits pumping, that will probably be the cause and they can be bought at any heavy truck dealership for about $12. Other than that, check the oil regularly like you would a shop compressor and you will probably never have trouble with it. Sounds like you made a heck of a buy.

here's a new self oiling bendix compressor
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bend...350062823525QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts

and another one, used and ending soon
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BEND...torsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
And another one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BEND...torsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories