Looking for older air brake parts

[Big E]

I am trying to find a replacement diaphagm for an old bolt type air brake chamber. From what I can see it is a Borg Warner "Type A".



This is on a Fairmont A6F railroad motorcar that uses a single air brake chamber to activate the brakes. Replacing it with a newer clamp type chamber will require fabricating a mounting bracket. I would rather just replace the diaphragm if I can still find parts. A seach on the web didn't find much.



Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hoefler]

Take it to a truck parts house, they will have them on the shelf.



I see you are into Speeders! I have a Woodings CBI that I have finished going through the chassis and now working on the body fiberglass.

 

[Wayne M.]

There are a few Antique truck orginizations around, maybe they have the sources you need. . Here's a couple.



Antique Truck Club of America, ATCA, Truck Collectors Club



American Truck Historical Society

 

[Big E]

Thanks for the replies.



I think I am S. O. L.



The parts guy had no clue what I was talking about. The only place I can find on the web that lists anything about "Bolt type air brake chambers" is in Israel.



I think the best plan of action is to fab up a bracket and put a newer clamp type chamber on. Shouldn't be too tough, I was hoping for an easy fix though.



The motorcar belongs to a railroad museum that I volunteer at.



Thanks again.

 

[Wayne M.]

I am unclear about the type of chamber you're reffering to. Does it have a bolt to unwind instead of a "key" to cage it? What size is it? I assume it's a maxi.

 

[Big E]

The two halves of the chamber are held together with bolts around the circumference as opposed to the newer chambers that are held together with a clamp.



I'm gonna try to get down there tomorrow and take some pictures.



Thanks for the links above, I've got a thread going on one and am getting some bites.

 

[Big E]

Here's the chamber in question. Someone on the antique truck forum identified this as a Bendix Westinghouse product, not Borg Warner which I assumed. I am going to call Bendix tomorrow to see if they still make parts.



Thanks for the help.

 

[Hoefler]

You can get the right diameter diaphragm, and use the top half to drill or cut the bolt holes in it. That is a old Bendix air pot.

 

[Big E]

I called Bendix and was able to get a part number.



I have one ordered from a local truck parts place.



When it comes in I'll see how well it matches up size wise with a newer diaphragm for next time.



Thanks again for the help.

 

[Wayne M.]

Big E, how did you make out? Size, and pushrod wise, it looks just like a size 24 single chamber.

 

[Big E]

I was able to order the part through a local truck parts store. It was a bit more pricey than a modern diaphragm. I haven't had the time to install it yet. It is different than a modern one as it has holes for the bolts around the circumference and a raised o-ring like surface on the pressure side.