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Parker 51 Blind Cap Not Flush


Dakkadence

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So in the Parker 51 I'm restoring, the blind cap, when screwed onto the filler unit, doesn't sit flush with the rest of the body. It's barely notceable, but it's there. I've completely cleaned the threads out, which helped some, but there's still enough to to trigger my honorary OCD. Any tips on fixing this?

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we're talking 51 Vac. here? If the difference in levels is so small how about sanding that area of the barrel such that the difference is eliminated. Assume the blind cap closes up such that there isn't any gap between the cap and the barrel - or is your problem that there is a gap - if so then remove a couple of thou from the length of the cap by reducing at the mouth end.

Edited by PaulS
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Try to find the previous position of the filler in the barrel. Try first by making minute adjustments to how much you have threaded in the filler.

 

Advanced tips I am sure someone or other will contribute.

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hari's suggestion is probably technically more correct than my thoughts and I can't imagine there's a more suitable 'advanced tip' than re-positioning the pump bushing to resolve the situation. Assume the bushing has been removed from the barrel, then replacing may have mis-located by the smallest amount thus causing the problem.

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Paul I used to do the re-position the pump but then sometimes it would just take too much pressure to get it correct. First thing is are you sure all the old sack was removed? I now tighten the pump just a little past finger tight. I install the blind cap and just lightly push to the center. I started looking at them differently when I picked up a great looking DJ buckskin and found that it had been over torqued by someone down the line. All the way around the barrel were very fine cracks. It looks good but I don't see a way to bring it back. I did find a replacement barrel a few years ago but it wasn't that high on my list.

 

Good luck!

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Makas question about all of the old diaphragm being removed is the first place to start. If not, the remains of the old diaphragm will keep the pump from screwing down far enough, so the edge of the thread bushing will stick up above the end of the barrel. A lot of people try to compensate for this by torquing the filler down, causing barrel bulge and ultimately a cracked barrel.

 

Parker turned the blind cap down to match the barrel with the pump and diaphragm installed. Get a NOS blind cap, and you'll find that its a bit oversize., and needs to be shaved down.

 

Differences in the thickness of the diaphragm, changing the pump, any number of things, can cause the position of the pump to end up different, and so the barrel may not line up with the blind cap perfectly.

 

It may be that you don't have the diaphragm seated properly. Use a thin layer of a glycerine based personal lubricant on the outside of the diaphragm to allow it to slide down the seat inside the barrel. Tighten snug, not tight. Parker described it as "firm pressure." See comment above about over tightening.

 

If that doesn't work, the accepted technique is to heat the barrel with the blind cap in place, and then using your thumb press against the blind cap right over the thread bushing to shift it forward. You may have to do this a number of times. Getting it perfect can be difficult and sometimes impossible. Parker recommended shaving the barrel down, but we don't do that unless absolutely necessary because there is a finite number of times that you can get away with that. Be willing to accept a little bit off...

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Where in Zcalifornia is this foul blind cap. I truely dislike the practice of sanding to fit.

Edited by FarmBoy

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