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Topic: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers (Read 13084 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #40 –
I appreciate your offer to pay early, Tim, and the other similar offers I have received via PM.

I think at this point, it is best to go one step at a time.  Let's wait to hear what Tom has to say, after he checks with his supplier.  Then, if the deal is still on, we will go forward.  Once I am sure the actual order has been placed for the plungers, there will be a 3 week or so waiting period until they are delivered to Tom.  During that time, IF our members volunteer to do so, I will gratefully accept advance payments for the orders.  Any payments I receive before I have to send my "BIG" payment to Tom will, of course, reduce the financial strain on me.

I should get the sample kit from Tom on Monday.  I will post photos here of the contents, and my impression of the quality, etc.  Having the sample kit will also let me decide what USPS Priority Mail box will work best for shipments.  I will then work up exactly what the total cost will be for each shipment, based on the number of kits ordered.  I will include the (optional) costs for extra insurance, if desired.  More on that later.

I already have a long-standing PayPal "personal" account.  I am presently researching my options within that account.  I will let you know how the PayPal option will work, as soon as I figure it out.

Thanks for all the expressions of support.  This project grew FAR larger than anticipated, and it is taking a while for Tom and I to catch up.  We (both) also appreciate your patience.  For everybody's sake, we want this deal to be a success!

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #41 –
Chuck,  Money forwarded to you via PayPal will be reduced by a 3% fee.

Oops, I missed Tom's comment earlier.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #42 –
Free in Canada when you use your bank account or balance.
This I just copied from Pay Pal website and I have sent a few large amounts of money to England without any fees either side so wonder if this also applies to US accounts. You do have to say you are sending money to friends or family though. This would apply as we are all one big family-right?
I too will do whatever is necessary to make it easier for Chuck and Jeannie
JohnH

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #43 –
Which is why I noted purchase price plus 3% 😊

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #44 –
No fees if designated as "gift"

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #45 –
No need to keep tossing this subject around.  I will let you all know how the PayPal will work, when the time comes.  I am not going to jeopardize my PayPal account or risk a visit from the PayPal Police (Black helicopters over my house, guys in Black Ninja suits banging on my door).  :o
To keep this operation "legit" I think I will have to require the 3% to be added to the payments, but like I said, I'll let you know.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #46 –
I'm just repeating here what I posted earlier this morning (Reply #37, above).  This is for the benefit of late-comers, or those who don't bother to read earlier entries before they post or send PMs:

The order list is locked!  As of today (03/12/2016), no more orders will be accepted from our Forum.

I will know more about the order status next week.  If it becomes possible to accept more orders, I will let you know at that time.

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #47 –
Happy to pay the cost of rebuild kits upfront if it helps . It's going to be a considerable upfront outlay for you guys

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #50 –
I received the sample solenoid rebuild kit from Tom late yesterday.  I have examined the plungers (which are the most important parts of the kit) with great care.  I measured them with a machinist's rule and a micrometer.  I took one of the valves from my front 6-pack apart, and compared the old plunger with the new plunger.

Result: I can discern NO physical difference between the old and new plungers (except, of course, for the sealing surface).  They are the same size, same shape, same weight, and same basic finish.  I don't think we could possibly find a more exact reproduction.  I, for one, am convinced that this kit is the answer, if you want to do the best possible job of rebuilding the 6-pack manifolds on your coach.

The O-rings supplied in the kit are round.  Round O-rings are what HWH currently recommends.  They should work fine.  If you want to use "square" O-rings in your rebuild, you will have to source them yourself.  See my thread "Working On My 6-pack" for part numbers and source.  Working On My Six Pack

There is a SLIGHT difference in the height of the new springs, versus the old original ones.  The new one is shorter...probably less than 1/16".  Tom says the new spring is correct for this application.  The old original springs in my front 6-pack appear to be in perfect condition.  IMO, you could probably use either the new springs, or your old ones...your choice.  All the springs do is position the plunger on the valve seat - they have nothing to do with how much pressure the valve can hold.

Tom enclosed a instruction sheet with the kit.  I scanned it to .pdf and it is included below.

I think we are getting a great deal on these kits.  What else can I say?

Note:  In the first 7 photos, the old original part is on the left, the new one from the kit on the right.

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #51 –
Well done Chuck, any comments on any changes to price or date when all done?
Not important just thought that as there where possible problems or? with the large order that you mentioned. By the way it is a good deal even though we Canadians will be paying 37% more than US price + Border fees etc.
Thanks
JohnH

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #53 –
Some members have asked how hard it will be to install these kits.  Well, that kinda depends...  You will be working under your coach, possibly for several hours on each manifold.  That, alone, will dissuade some.  You'll need a full set of 8 safety stands.  The tools are pretty basic.  You are gonna get dirty, especially when you tackle the rear manifold, so be prepared for that.  I put together a little photo tutorial.  (Photos are in order according to step number)

Photo 1:  Clean off the manifold.  You want to avoid at all cost getting dirt and trash into the ports on the manifold.  I would clean the whole work area the best you can.  The rear manifold will be especially dirty.  It may take several sessions with a brush and degreaser, before it is clean enough to work on.  Also, if you plan on removing all the electric coils simultaneously, mark their position somehow with a magic marker.  In my photo, they are marked RT (right top), RM (right middle), RB (right bottom), etc.  It is imperative that you replace the coils on the correct valves when you complete the rebuilding process.

Photo 2:  Use the wrench in the kit to remove the nut on top of the electric solenoid.

Photo 3:  Nut has been removed.

Photo 4:  Pull the electric coil off the stainless steel valve armature. Let it hang on the wires.  There might be a big washer under the coil (mine is painted black).

Photo 5:  Remove the washer.  If it rusty or corroded, clean it up the best you can.

Photo 6:  Use the wrench in the kit to loosen the stainless steel armature, but DO NOT remove it at this time.

Photo 7:  Remove the brass valve body.  I recommend using a small rubber strap wrench, which will not tear up the soft brass material.

Photo 8:  This is what you see when you remove the brass valve body.  You will need to clean up the surface where the valve body seats.  You want this surface to be as smooth and as flawless as possible, so that the O-rings on the valve body can seal properly.  Use caution when you are cleaning this area!  The aluminum is very soft, and easily scratched!  Use the most gentle cleaning procedure that will do the job.

Photo 9:  Move the brass valve body to a clean area where you can work comfortably.  Unscrew and remove the armature.

Photo 10: Remove the plunger and spring, and remove the internal medium sized O-ring.  Also remove the large and small O-rings from the bottom of the brass body.  Clean everything up.  Use caution cleaning the brass - it is also soft.  When everything is clean, install the new O-rings, using a little lube on each one.  The lube helps hold them in place and keeps them from twisting while you reassemble the valve.  Install the new plunger and spring.  Put everything back together in reverse order.  That's all there is to it!  8)

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #54 –
Well done Chuck, piece of cake  8)

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #55 –
quote "You will be working under your coach, possibly for several hours on each manifold.  That, alone, will dissuade some.  You'll need a full set of 8 safety stands.  The tools are pretty basic.  You are gonna get dirty, especially when you tackle the rear manifold, so be prepared for that"
 I am taking appointments for pit use for this operation, first come  basis. Should be a cinch cleaning the block etc and doing the change over. ^.^d  You can while under there do a full inspection of your coach and all for free.
JohnH

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #56 –
Added note on my tutorial (above).  The solenoid valves shown in the photos are on my '93 U280.  They have a full metal cover over each electric coil, and a large washer between the coil and the brass valve body.  I understand that sometime later (I don't know when) HWH switched to a different means of retaining the coil.  Instead of the full metal cover, there will be a "U" shaped metal bracket around the coil.  In this case, there may be no large washer.  However, all the steps for installing the new plungers remain exactly the same, regardless of which coil retainer is used.

Photos of newer style coil retainer:

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #57 –
It's quiet here, but things are happening behind the scenes.  I hope to have good news in the next day or two!  Stay tuned to this channel.

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #58 –
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

I have just received word from Tom McCloud that he has placed the order for the plungers and springs.  He has allotted us 100 kits, as previously announced.  I have told him that I received a few more requests (7 kits) after the deadline.  If he ends up with any left-over kits after he distributes to his members, I will see if he can help me fill those late orders.

Due to the increased size of the order, Tom says the estimated time for delivery is now 4 weeks.  If this changes, he will let me know, and I will pass it on.

In the next couple days, I am going to send out a PM to each member on my order list.  It will contain my mailing address, in case you want to mail me a check.  It will list my email address, which is all you need to make a PayPal payment.  It will verify the number of kits you ordered, and it will have a copy of a "pricing sheet" attached.  You can use this sheet to calculate what your order will cost, depending on how much insurance you want, and how you want to pay.  I will also include this sheet at the bottom of this post.

Many of you have offered to pay early.  I really appreciate this show of support, and will be happy to accept early payments.  Early payments will help reduce the amount of cash I have to provide out of my pocket when I send the BIG payment ($10,000.00) to Tom.

Those who do not wish to pay early, can wait until I have paid Tom for the kits, he has mailed them to me, and I actually have them in my possession ready to ship out.  At that time, I will request payment from everyone who has not already paid.

Once I have the kits in hand, I will ship them out in the order of "Payments Received".  Those who pay first, will get their kits first.  I will not ship kits until I have received payment, either in my PayPal account, or by a personal check that has cleared my bank.

In my next post I will attach a printout of everyone on the order list for the 100 kits.  If you are on this list, you will (eventually) get your kits.  If you want to decrease your order (order fewer kits) or cancel your order - no problem - just let me know by PM.  You may not (at this time) increase your order.  This might possibly change at a later date.

I hope you are as happy as I am to hear that the kits are ordered, and the project is finally moving forward.

Re: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers

Reply #59 –
Order list for 100 kits.  Please check my math - I'll be really embarrassed if it doesn't add up to 100.

For those "On Hold" - You will be contacted if I can come up with additional kits.  Until then, DO NOT send me your payment!