Do you all have cheap plastic heads in your classic wooden boats?

[imported_Jimmy]

I have an old Wilcox-Crittendens head that I am trying to rebuild. I'm not sure what model it is. It says "SEACLO" on the rim of the bowl at the front. I'm not sure if this is the model since at one site that had a rebuild kit for this model the photos of the parts didn't look the same. Does anyone know where I can get parts or have any advice on rebuilding this type of head? Thanks

PS. Wilcox-Crittendens no longer has rebuild kits for this head as Bob's post below suggests.

[ 11-12-2005, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

I have an old Wilcox-Crittendens head that I am trying to rebuild. I'm not sure what model it is. It says "SEACLO" on the rim of the bowl at the front. I'm not sure if this is the model since at one site that had a rebuild kit for this model the photos of the parts didn't look the same. Does anyone know where I can get parts or have any advice on rebuilding this type of head? Thanks

PS. Wilcox-Crittendens no longer has rebuild kits for this head as Bob's post below suggests.

[ 11-12-2005, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

I have an old Wilcox-Crittendens head that I am trying to rebuild. I'm not sure what model it is. It says "SEACLO" on the rim of the bowl at the front. I'm not sure if this is the model since at one site that had a rebuild kit for this model the photos of the parts didn't look the same. Does anyone know where I can get parts or have any advice on rebuilding this type of head? Thanks

PS. Wilcox-Crittendens no longer has rebuild kits for this head as Bob's post below suggests.

[ 11-12-2005, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[Bob Cleek]

Wilcox Crittenden has rebuild and service kits for all their products. Google 'em!

[Bob Cleek]

Wilcox Crittenden has rebuild and service kits for all their products. Google 'em!

[Bob Cleek]

Wilcox Crittenden has rebuild and service kits for all their products. Google 'em!

[Bob Cleek]

Wilcox Crittenden has rebuild and service kits for all their products. Google 'em! Wilcox Crittenden head rebuild kits

[Bob Cleek]

Wilcox Crittenden has rebuild and service kits for all their products. Google 'em! Wilcox Crittenden head rebuild kits

[Bob Cleek]

Wilcox Crittenden has rebuild and service kits for all their products. Google 'em! Wilcox Crittenden head rebuild kits

[imported_Jimmy]

I contacted them and they don't, which is why I posted here.

[ 11-01-2005, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

I contacted them and they don't, which is why I posted here.

[ 11-01-2005, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

I contacted them and they don't, which is why I posted here.

[ 11-01-2005, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

So, does anyone have one of these or does everyone have new plastic heads in their old wooden boats?

[imported_Jimmy]

So, does anyone have one of these or does everyone have new plastic heads in their old wooden boats?

[imported_Jimmy]

So, does anyone have one of these or does everyone have new plastic heads in their old wooden boats?

[imported_Jimmy]

OK, there must be somebody out there who knows something about this. I spent the afternoon digging around a consignment store and found a few pieces in other rebuild kits that might work, but not some critical parts. I'm getting a little frustrated.

[imported_Jimmy]

OK, there must be somebody out there who knows something about this. I spent the afternoon digging around a consignment store and found a few pieces in other rebuild kits that might work, but not some critical parts. I'm getting a little frustrated.

[imported_Jimmy]

OK, there must be somebody out there who knows something about this. I spent the afternoon digging around a consignment store and found a few pieces in other rebuild kits that might work, but not some critical parts. I'm getting a little frustrated.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

What do you need Jimmy? Anything you can make yourself? How old is this head?

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

What do you need Jimmy? Anything you can make yourself? How old is this head?

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

What do you need Jimmy? Anything you can make yourself? How old is this head?

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

No, I don't have a cheap plastic head in Mirelle. We have one of these:

A Baby Blake. Ours is 50 years old, but its the same item.

They are made here.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

No, I don't have a cheap plastic head in Mirelle. We have one of these:

A Baby Blake. Ours is 50 years old, but its the same item.

They are made here.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

No, I don't have a cheap plastic head in Mirelle. We have one of these:

A Baby Blake. Ours is 50 years old, but its the same item.

They are made here.

[michigangeorge]

If you're going to have a plastic head you should have a plastic boat! Real men have bowls of porcelain!

[michigangeorge]

If you're going to have a plastic head you should have a plastic boat! Real men have bowls of porcelain!

[michigangeorge]

If you're going to have a plastic head you should have a plastic boat! Real men have bowls of porcelain!

[imported_Jimmy]

I think even my cheap plastic head has a porcelin bowl, but the one that came with the boat has a porcelin bowl and the rest is made with metal, bronze I think. The boat is almost 80 years old, but I don't know how to tell how old the head is. I think I can make some of the parts, but others would be more difficult.

Here is a photo of it before I started taking it apart


I've taken it apart and started cleaning it up so it doesn't look this bad anymore. I can't seem to get the main pump apart, but the leather cup seems to still be in good shape so I will probably just leave it instead of wrecking it taking it apart.

The parts that I need and don't really know where to look for are the rubber seals/bushings/washers that are on either side of the part that attaches to the back of the bowl where the water goes in. I don't have photos of that part yet, I will try to get some soon.

[ 11-13-2005, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

I think even my cheap plastic head has a porcelin bowl, but the one that came with the boat has a porcelin bowl and the rest is made with metal, bronze I think. The boat is almost 80 years old, but I don't know how to tell how old the head is. I think I can make some of the parts, but others would be more difficult.

Here is a photo of it before I started taking it apart


I've taken it apart and started cleaning it up so it doesn't look this bad anymore. I can't seem to get the main pump apart, but the leather cup seems to still be in good shape so I will probably just leave it instead of wrecking it taking it apart.

The parts that I need and don't really know where to look for are the rubber seals/bushings/washers that are on either side of the part that attaches to the back of the bowl where the water goes in. I don't have photos of that part yet, I will try to get some soon.

[ 11-13-2005, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

I think even my cheap plastic head has a porcelin bowl, but the one that came with the boat has a porcelin bowl and the rest is made with metal, bronze I think. The boat is almost 80 years old, but I don't know how to tell how old the head is. I think I can make some of the parts, but others would be more difficult.

Here is a photo of it before I started taking it apart


I've taken it apart and started cleaning it up so it doesn't look this bad anymore. I can't seem to get the main pump apart, but the leather cup seems to still be in good shape so I will probably just leave it instead of wrecking it taking it apart.

The parts that I need and don't really know where to look for are the rubber seals/bushings/washers that are on either side of the part that attaches to the back of the bowl where the water goes in. I don't have photos of that part yet, I will try to get some soon.

[ 11-13-2005, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[Thorne]

I thought "Real Men" used wooden buckets...

[Thorne]

I thought "Real Men" used wooden buckets...

[Thorne]

I thought "Real Men" used wooden buckets...

[Bob Cleek]

Yep, it's an early Wilcox Crittenden. Many of their parts are interchangeable. The pump looks the same as the Imperial 51, so you should be able to find leathers for it. The parts contained in the rebuild kits are usually overkill. What you need more than anything are replacement nuts and bolts. These are made of brass and they corrode. Most of the rubber gaskets last forever. If not, it is easy enough to cut your own gaskets out of sheet gasket rubber stock. The bronze parts should last just about forever. If you have a friend with a parts washer, you can put the bronze parts in a bucket of carburetor cleaner and they will clean up beautifully. It's really an exercise in taking it apart and putting it back together with new nuts and bolts.

[Bob Cleek]

Yep, it's an early Wilcox Crittenden. Many of their parts are interchangeable. The pump looks the same as the Imperial 51, so you should be able to find leathers for it. The parts contained in the rebuild kits are usually overkill. What you need more than anything are replacement nuts and bolts. These are made of brass and they corrode. Most of the rubber gaskets last forever. If not, it is easy enough to cut your own gaskets out of sheet gasket rubber stock. The bronze parts should last just about forever. If you have a friend with a parts washer, you can put the bronze parts in a bucket of carburetor cleaner and they will clean up beautifully. It's really an exercise in taking it apart and putting it back together with new nuts and bolts.

[Bob Cleek]

Yep, it's an early Wilcox Crittenden. Many of their parts are interchangeable. The pump looks the same as the Imperial 51, so you should be able to find leathers for it. The parts contained in the rebuild kits are usually overkill. What you need more than anything are replacement nuts and bolts. These are made of brass and they corrode. Most of the rubber gaskets last forever. If not, it is easy enough to cut your own gaskets out of sheet gasket rubber stock. The bronze parts should last just about forever. If you have a friend with a parts washer, you can put the bronze parts in a bucket of carburetor cleaner and they will clean up beautifully. It's really an exercise in taking it apart and putting it back together with new nuts and bolts.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

What Bob said...
finding someone who knows their parts would probably help you find some substitutes for some of the common stuff.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

What Bob said...
finding someone who knows their parts would probably help you find some substitutes for some of the common stuff.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

What Bob said...
finding someone who knows their parts would probably help you find some substitutes for some of the common stuff.

[imported_Jimmy]

Thanks Bob. I already have the head apart and you are bang on about the nuts and bolts needing replacement, most of them broke. I was thinking the flapper valves and gaskets looked pretty simple and could either be re-used or home-made. The one part that I would like to find somewhere is the rubber part that I am holding and pointing at in the photos below. There are two of them that seal the part where the water goes into the back of the bowl. Hopefully they were the same on newer models or I can find some sustitute. Any leads would be appreciated.







By the way, what is carburetor cleaner. I'm also rebuilding some carburetors at the moment and the only carburetor cleaner I could find is in a spray can. I think it is made for cleaning carbs when still assembled, but I guess I want some nasty stuff that you dunk the body in when you have all the parts off it. where do you get it and what does it look like? Thanks

[ 11-13-2005, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

Thanks Bob. I already have the head apart and you are bang on about the nuts and bolts needing replacement, most of them broke. I was thinking the flapper valves and gaskets looked pretty simple and could either be re-used or home-made. The one part that I would like to find somewhere is the rubber part that I am holding and pointing at in the photos below. There are two of them that seal the part where the water goes into the back of the bowl. Hopefully they were the same on newer models or I can find some sustitute. Any leads would be appreciated.







By the way, what is carburetor cleaner. I'm also rebuilding some carburetors at the moment and the only carburetor cleaner I could find is in a spray can. I think it is made for cleaning carbs when still assembled, but I guess I want some nasty stuff that you dunk the body in when you have all the parts off it. where do you get it and what does it look like? Thanks

[ 11-13-2005, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[imported_Jimmy]

Thanks Bob. I already have the head apart and you are bang on about the nuts and bolts needing replacement, most of them broke. I was thinking the flapper valves and gaskets looked pretty simple and could either be re-used or home-made. The one part that I would like to find somewhere is the rubber part that I am holding and pointing at in the photos below. There are two of them that seal the part where the water goes into the back of the bowl. Hopefully they were the same on newer models or I can find some sustitute. Any leads would be appreciated.







By the way, what is carburetor cleaner. I'm also rebuilding some carburetors at the moment and the only carburetor cleaner I could find is in a spray can. I think it is made for cleaning carbs when still assembled, but I guess I want some nasty stuff that you dunk the body in when you have all the parts off it. where do you get it and what does it look like? Thanks

[ 11-13-2005, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

That looks amazingly similar to a Baby Blake, in certain respects; certainly the base fitting, back fitting, flanges and flapper valves. There is a philosphical difference in that it appears to use a single pump with no valve in the piston, if I understand it right, whereas Blakes have always had two separate pumps.

My point being that if the rubber parts are not obtainable from Wilcox-Crittenden, there is a sporting chance that Blakes parts would fit.

Edited to add - what Bob Cleek said about the bolts. Again, Blakes bolts might do.

[ 11-14-2005, 05:17 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Craig-Bennett ]

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

That looks amazingly similar to a Baby Blake, in certain respects; certainly the base fitting, back fitting, flanges and flapper valves. There is a philosphical difference in that it appears to use a single pump with no valve in the piston, if I understand it right, whereas Blakes have always had two separate pumps.

My point being that if the rubber parts are not obtainable from Wilcox-Crittenden, there is a sporting chance that Blakes parts would fit.

Edited to add - what Bob Cleek said about the bolts. Again, Blakes bolts might do.

[ 11-14-2005, 05:17 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Craig-Bennett ]

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

That looks amazingly similar to a Baby Blake, in certain respects; certainly the base fitting, back fitting, flanges and flapper valves. There is a philosphical difference in that it appears to use a single pump with no valve in the piston, if I understand it right, whereas Blakes have always had two separate pumps.

My point being that if the rubber parts are not obtainable from Wilcox-Crittenden, there is a sporting chance that Blakes parts would fit.

Edited to add - what Bob Cleek said about the bolts. Again, Blakes bolts might do.

[ 11-14-2005, 05:17 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Craig-Bennett ]

[TimothyB]

You can buy "Parts Cleaner" in 1 gallon paint buckets that have a sieve basket inside to put the parts in. I've used it on many occasions when I had to do serious metal cleaning for a carburetor rebuild or some such. Check at an auto supply store and give them that description. Nasty stuff. Use gloves. Put the parts in and CLOSE the bucket when soaking.

[ 11-14-2005, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: TimothyB ]

[TimothyB]

You can buy "Parts Cleaner" in 1 gallon paint buckets that have a sieve basket inside to put the parts in. I've used it on many occasions when I had to do serious metal cleaning for a carburetor rebuild or some such. Check at an auto supply store and give them that description. Nasty stuff. Use gloves. Put the parts in and CLOSE the bucket when soaking.

[ 11-14-2005, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: TimothyB ]

[TimothyB]

You can buy "Parts Cleaner" in 1 gallon paint buckets that have a sieve basket inside to put the parts in. I've used it on many occasions when I had to do serious metal cleaning for a carburetor rebuild or some such. Check at an auto supply store and give them that description. Nasty stuff. Use gloves. Put the parts in and CLOSE the bucket when soaking.

[ 11-14-2005, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: TimothyB ]

[TimothyB]

Oh... also I'm checking with some folks at a special effects place about casting rubber parts.. they know a lot about that so they may have a simplified method you could use to one off a replacement for your part.

[TimothyB]

Oh... also I'm checking with some folks at a special effects place about casting rubber parts.. they know a lot about that so they may have a simplified method you could use to one off a replacement for your part.