Purchasing a Series 60 Air Compressor

[Glennman]

I'm in the market for a new air compressor for my Series 60 Detroit. The part number on my current unit is 23522123, but all the ones I find online (both new, used or rebuilt) all start with an R (R23522123).

Does anyone know what the R is for? A local truck supply outfit told me it might indicate remanufactured, but I'm even finding new ones with the "R". They say that it should still work.

Any thoughts?

[luvrbus]

They both work the R 23522123 will work with the electric unloader valve if you have it and you don't ,there are a lot of made in China knocks offs out there for sale don't go cheap buy a Bendix or Haldex

[Glennman]

Thanks for the advice on the knock offs. You are right about them being out there in droves.

[Glennman]

I decided to go with a genuine, new Bendix unit. I found one (no core needed) for around $1200. This is about $250 more than a rebuilt, but I like the idea of having a new unit and I was surprised to see them so closely priced. I'm going to start a new thread on my process of installing it, as it is involving my Davco fuel filter and power steering reservoir. Thanks luvrbus!

[Glennman]

So, in speaking with First Truck (I think that's what they are called), the unit I planned to buy is a TF-FLO 750 instead of a TU-FLO 750. Now it turns out they do not have a brand new TU model , only the TF one. The TU is only available in a remanufactured unit. I would rather have the new one. Does anyone know what the difference is between the TU and TF?

Another question: I've heard that some people install an independent filtered air compressor intake rather than taking the air from the motor. Any thoughts on this?

[luvrbus]

The TU has a longer stroke and different crank shaft , they pump the same amount of air(CFM) at a lower RPM as the TF models ,you see those on construction equipment, I think the duty cylcle is more on TU like 40% instead of the 25% of time pumping on the TF models

[buswarrior]

Re: independent air supply for the air compressor....

popularly the world went to taking the supply off the engine intake, as that made for one less maintenance item that would get ignored, forgotten, not stocked, etc.

Unless you have a practical hose routing challenge, I know of no advantage to messing with it?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Glennman]

Thanks buswarrior. The reason I'm replacing the compressor is that it's all covered with oil (coming out of every nook and cranny) and there's a small chance that it might be causing or contributing to my newfound blowby. Besides that, it has layers of rust flaking off of it, and it appears to be the original from 23 years and 500,000 miles ago. If that doesn't cure it, I'll be looking at the turbo, as it also appears to be original. Not that I want to go down the expensive route of the process of elimination, these items just reek of future problems anyway, and if I was to go through a rebuild or replacement engine, those items would need to be replaced anyway.

[Jim Blackwood]

Lot to be said for scheduled maintenance...

[Glennman]

Ok, so I removed the old air compressor today. I was able to take a slab of 1/2 inch steel about 8 inches wide and 3 feet long and wedge it under the compressor on the bus at about 90 degrees to the side of the motor, remove the last nut (the top mounting stud nut), jockey the compressor a little bit, flop the compressor onto the steel slab and slide the compressor all the way out the access door. It was fantastic!

Turns out, the connecting gear that slides out of the compressor where it meets up to the power steering pump was in two pieces, and about a 1/2" segment of it was laying in the bottom of the hole. I think I dodged a bullet on this one, as the rest of the gears look just fine. I'll be in the market for that piece now.

So, I pull the newly rebuilt compressor from the box and it's a TU-FLO 550 instead of a 750. I waited almost 2 weeks for it to come in and now it's not the correct model. I have yet to contact the outfit to see if they have the correct one.

[Jim Blackwood]

Hate it when that happens...

[luvrbus]

The TF 550 was the standard on the DL,mine had a 550 when it started pumping oil and needed changing I went with the TF 750 ,because of age with all the tiny air leaks the 750 is a better choice IMO,I didn't notice any difference in fuel mileage they told me I would see  by going with the TF 750 ,the 3 CFM difference between the 2  made a noticeable difference in air up time