[Fot] Type A OD pressure test

[Larry Young]

It seems like the balls and springs (pump, operating valve) are always a 
problem. I've seen all sorts of suggestions and tried many of them. 
Lapping the ball seat sounds like a good idea. I've always used the 
smack the ball with a hammer trick. I don't know how to test those 
little springs and I don't trust that the ones we buy are correct. 
Rather than worrying about air leakage, a better test is probably to see 
how long the unit holds pressure after you shut it down. I had one that 
would hold pressure for days, but most will only hold pressure for a 
number of minutes to perhaps an hour.

One problem I have frequently had is that the unit will not pressure up 
after I put oil in it.  I've always thought it was because of all the 
air in the lines. I developed an assembly method to make sure I got oil 
pumped at each step. You could also use it as a troubleshooting method. 
You might check it out starting at Step 15 in 
http://vintagetriumphregister.org/maintain/TransRebuild/OverDriveA02.pdf. 
Another trick I've heard is to put Vaseline jelly in the pump to help it 
get started.
  - Larry