Ben,
No one else mentioned it, but is the rubber washer in place and in good condition? It belongs between the aluminum sleeve and the pump body. If it is missing , it will leak like a sieve. Also, make sure that the cap is tight enough on the rubber insert and that the insert is still soft. If it is hard, it will not seal around the valve stem. I think that the rubber from the plastic head should fit the metal head, but not sure. Sounds like the problem is not in the pump, but in one of the two rubber pieces that are meant to form seals. Never had any problems with Silca pumps and could generate 120 psi when using tubs on my tandem.
Bill Boston
Wilmington, DE
> Hey cool cats,
>
> I bought a NOS silca frame pump (chrome-plastic ??) and a NOS Campy steel
> pump head. I put the two together and pressure and efficiency is pretty
> woefull - i didnt expect brilliance but the same pump with a plastic Silca
> pump head is far better. Before i try to figure out how to secure CO2
> cartridges to my Zeus Porta Tubulares id like to make sure i can pump a
tire
> up eventually using the frame pump. It seems to thread on correctly and
fit
> as it should.
>
> Yeah, yeah, i know, i know - i shoulda bought a Zefal but they look about
as
> appropriate as teats on a bull and im a stylin' guy.
>
> Any tips or ideas for looking into whats not right or what to look for in
> setting it to work as best as possible. Any rocket scientists out there?
The
> steel campy head isnt necessary - i bought it for its extra weight as it
may
> prove handy if its swung in anger or against an attacking assailant -
> nothing worse than being in a bar room brawl and swinging a haymaker that
> doesn't make an oppponent flinch, ... what next ... exit stage left - fast
> !!!!
>
> ciao,
>
> ben kamen NYC