I'm working on an old LeRoi that the fuel pump diaphram has holes in it. It's so old, parts houses say the pump is no longer available, and no diaphram is available.

Is there materail available somewhere to make a new one? Does someone make replacements from an old one?

Scott

Missoula, MT

I've used sheet rubber from the hardware store in the past. But if I recall right, the LeRoi compressor had a fuel pump very similar to a Cat 22, and John Matta out of Riverside? makes replacement diaphragms for the 22 fuel pump.

I aquired diaphram material from local NAPA store. It's supposed to be fuel proof material; I don't know first hand because I used it in water pump cutout switches. I've no reason to suppose it is other than good for fuel...

Jack

I have done this type of repair in the past and learned a few things.

My handmade diaphragm did not last as long as a factory one.

You have to figure out how to make an allowance for the movement of the diaphragm. A FLAT DISC of rubber will very quickly tear from the repeated stretching.

The way I finally figured out how to get one to last a reasonable amount of time was to make a disc oversize without the bolt holes. Only the center hole. Then push/pull the lever to make the pump "suck" the rubber disc into the cavity. (makes it dished shaped). Now take the cover and align the holes and clamp it to the other half. Now you can trim it to size and punch the bolt holes. then install the bolts.

Make a few while you have the pump off for all the shenanigans.

Best of luck.
Dudley

When you get started you will make more sense of my ramblings.
Mine went from only lasting days to several months.

Try this place. I talked with someone a couple of years ago who had knowledge of how to make pump diaphragms and what material to make them out of. I think this is the place.

www.then-now.com/index.htm