Farmingdale village Type B

[Truckie6119]

Hello all, I took our Diaphone down to do some maintenance on it, new screens,gaskets and gonna finish it with new paint.

[gareee]

I was wondering when you reinstall the cylinder back into it's cast housing, there is suppose to be a large rubber "O" ring that fits in the outside groove of the cylinder to hold back escaping air..Did this horn have one? Maybe that's why you can't get the horn to blow a higher tone? Too much air pressure not getting into the cylinder to make the piston shake faster. In other words air is bypassing out the back of the horn.

[Truckie6119]

I spoke to gentleman with great knowledge on Diaphones from L.W. Bills co yesterday and he’s sending me all the correct screens,gaskets and o ring that I need.

[gareee]

So it is missing that "O" ring that goes around the cylinder.. Now, that I look closer (zoomed in) I don't notice the groove around the outside of the cylinder..This is the older type B. Maybe they don't need the O ring.
Let me see if I can find a photo of a later cylinder and post it.

[gareee]

Maybe you should call LW.Bills back and mention to them this cylinder might not take the O ring.

[Truckie6119]

Yes it needs one, that was probably the issues to start with, I will be testing it before putting it back up.

[Truckie6119]

Hey Chief Do you Have Facebook messenger ? I sent you a video

[Jim]

My memory from earlier discussions is that early Gamewell Type B's had a tight fit cylinder that took some pressure to remove and install.
Later ones had the o-ring and the cylinder was much easier to remove. Perhaps the o-ring made the looser tolerance possible.
The tightness was relative. If yours took a lot of pressure to remove, it might be an indication of which you have. If the ring you get fits, it probably is a good thing.

[gareee]

The only concern I have is Farmingdale's older model horn doesn't have the groove around the cylinder where the "O" ring gets installed.

[gareee]

The only concern I have is Farmingdale's older model horn doesn't have the groove around the cylinder where the "O" ring gets installed.

I didn't get your video.

[Truckie6119]

Back side

[Jim]

I am impressed by the beauty of the casting and machining of these instruments every time I see them.

[Truckie6119]

I’m thinking it doesn’t need an o ring? What do you guys think

[gareee]

Actually that's an older horn and they didn't make the cylinders with the groove around the middle of them back then for the O ring. I am still looking for a photo of the newer cylinders with the groove.

[Truckie6119]

I just received my box of goodies in the mail today from L,W,Bills co.. A full set of gaskets and new screens, I was shocked that the back plate gasket is just a thin piece of paper, guessing it’s just to cover the holes on the stator.. They even sent me A bottle of Graphite with instructions for the piston.