Gordon Smith Model A compressor value

[i.set_a]

I saw it running and pumping good about 8 or 9 years ago with the governor and all working good as it should. He wouldn't sell it at that time. I hit him up today and he will sell BUT he hasn't run it in about 4 years All the cowl, radiator and all it still complete.

[Joe K]

Gordon Smith can be looked at two ways:

One as a sum of the objective parts to assemble one. In this case perhaps about $1700 of which the largest sum is the motor ($600) and the sheet-metal ($300) Cut frame and suspension/wheel parts perhaps $200. Radiator (used) and shell perhaps $300. Miscellaneous the remainder which include the GS parts and tank.

I recently bought a GS head for $75 and a governor for $20. Another governor and the all important "knock down actuator" came in at $60. I have a fairly new air compressor tank without a compressor.

Or it can be taken as an entity which might be worth less as you don't know a thing about it and its difficult to find out. I might say a little less than a grand since this appears to be a cut-point on used air compressors which will blow up to about 1/4" nozzle for sandblasting which are the nearest functional competition.

A gordon-smith engine has to be subtly modified for use of the GS head. The valves in the two center cylinders are disabled usually by removal of the lifters, and the valves themselves are shaved off level with the cylinder head surface. Thus while not impossible to return a GS engine to "real" service, it has a challenge of re-fitting.

It was common in the day and still is to use an engine which might otherwise be "challenged" with head cracks in the exhaust port area - the Model B is particularly prone to this and was a common choice as the Gordon Smith head CAN cover these cracks on cylinder 2 and 3. (You use "shim" gaskets in the area above the valves.)

The GS service is not too strenuous as engine work goes since a fair portion of operating time is spent "idling." And forces in the crank area are "balanced" between cylinders 1 and 2/3 and 4. Still, a lot of engines at the normal end of their car life with crank/connecting rod shims removed got turned over for GS service.

If it ran - it was used. It didn't even have to be a strong runner.

The tanks of the GS compressor DO meet ASME code - at least mine does. Even though made of former 100lb Propane tanks with the bottoms cut off and welded together. But one has to keep in mind it is now a tank which is 70 years old and has seen its share of service - and wear & tear - mostly of a corrosion kind as compressed air is "humid" air.

So a "functional" GS compressor has value, but not necessarily optimal value. All negotiating points to those of a mind to purchase.

It is common to see restored GS compressors in the $2K range. Like their parent Model As this may depend on the condition of parts making it up. I consider that number a bit high given the even greater uncertainty of components of the GS compressors. A good paint job does not confer safety and possibly not even value.

Anyway, this my take on Gordon Smith. EXCELLENT compressors for sandblasting as their optimal range seems to be in the 75 to 100 psi range - you don't get a lot of "dusting" by grid breaking up at that pressure.

Joe K
One stationary GS compressor in use. Another mobile unit in development.

[Wick]

Used,not running but complete. $300-$600 depending on condition and the way it was built.
That's the prices I've seen over the last few years here.

[i.set_a]

Thanks from both of you

[Jim Brierley]

I think there is a GS group in MAFCA, might be worth a look?

[Dodge]

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I paid $500 for a running one.

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by Dodge

I paid $500 for a running one.

I paid $400 for my running one - but that was in 1981.

Old expression: You didn't pay too much, you just bought too soon.

Joe K

[Fullraceflathead]

I paid $600. for a running complete one two yrs ago.

[Kurt in NJ]

A construction company paid me 1000$ for the use of it for a week, plus lunch for me to tend it
There's value in what it can do, and all the little hard to find parts like carb throttle bracket--- governor linkage

[Shelbycsx]

I just picked one up for $200 it has a 29 Briggs cowl and hood came with an extra head and 2 governors

[BigE]

I have one I would sell for $800.oo Thanks E