My first Tilley!

Al, I think it's a fair bet the SP1 won't contain the NRV washer you require.

Dismantle your NRV by unscrewing it from the end of the pump. Be careful because there's a spring in there which may try to fly across your workshop and get lost. There are potentially two types of NRV seal you could find. If your pump is fitted with the earlier plain circular seal (Part No. 155) in a brass holder, then you won't find that in the SP1. If, however, it's fitted with the later shaped seal (squarish with round corners) that sits directly on the end of the spring, you're OK because that is in the SP1.

Let us know which type of NRV you have and we can take it from there...

 

Thanks David! I'm a huge fan of pink teflon tape (for exposure to fuel) and cork (for making gaskets), but I decided it would be better to at least try to use OEM parts on the lamp. I do believe that the seal is a 155, and I have everything that I need to make a replacement for it.

 

Hi Al,

I'm a huge fan of fixing old things which break instead of throwing them out, improvising when necessary and relishing in the satisfaction of an old item saved from the rubbish heap. Replacing these washers with cork may work and may last years, but why risk nirvana when you don't have to?

The washers in the SP1 kit can easily be trimmed with an xacto knife to fit an older NRV.

I have a feeling you will be acquiring more Tilleys in the future. My advice is to get several washer kits (with leather) from Ross to have on hand. His washers are excellent, the cost is cheap and the extra shipping is negligible.
Just this week I picked up an early 1950's R1 with a CH1 head. The pump leather had turned to powder. It's was a nice feeling to go to the parts bin, grab a washer set and jump right in and get it running without having to wait a week or two for parts. I've also built up a stock of NOS brass base vapourisers (the new ones are very sketchy). If you're not in a hurry, you can occasionally find these for a very reasonable price on Ebay. Just set up a "Saved Search", you'll be notified when one pops up.

Oh, and one more thing from a new Tilley fettler to another. In an older pump, the big pump washer needs to be pried out with a sharp object, in a new style pump (the only one I had experience with), the washer is removed by unscrewing the knurled knob on the pump body. I narrowly avoided disaster thinking the knob was stuck on the old R1 pump and started to apply heat. Bad idea, it's soldered on. Stopped myself just in time and all is well. BTW, the old R1 pump is WAY better than the one on my 1967 R1.

Regards,
Dan

 

I have a couple of old dental picks for this job. They are wonderful tools. Slightly hook shaped they are ideal for digging around in tight spaces. Very strong and excellent steel. I suspect they are very expensive but if you sweet talk your dentist he may let you have some when they are replacing them. ::Neil::

 

Yes, I tried this but my dental hygienist wasn't having any of it - no siree...

However, from time-to-time Aldi get something very similar in their DIY tools range. They're about £1.99 for four with different ends - straight, angled, hooked and, er, the other one...