I have this older Blackhawk floorjack I bought back in the 80's Its a well made professional unit but developed problems so I got a kit and rebuilt it. Now it has a leak issue. The problem is there are no seals or o-rings around the cylinder - either top or bottom. When I assembled it I used some Loctite form-a-gasket but it leaked. When I took it apart this time I found the crap hadn't set up OR the hydraulic fluid reacted and dissolved it. Either way, its leaking. So I'm looking for a better product to use. I don't think silicone is going to cut it AND I hate using that crap 'cause it crumbles when you take things apart and the bits get everywhere. I'm thinking I need a sealant that will set up hard.

Here's the cylinder breakdown As you can see - no seals between the base (42) cylinder (31) and retaining nut (32)

My ......... Junk it ......... Harbor Freight is your new friend

Thanks for that invaluable input. This thing has lasted over 35 years. Let's see where those HF pieces of crap are in 35 years !!

By the way, you can buy complete rebuild kits for these for under $15, I think that speaks volumes.

call a hydraulic jack rebuilder to see what they reccomend. Those old jacks are worth the effort IMO

Post the number description list. Having a hard time believing theres no wiper seal anywhere near the ram....

Of course there's a seal for the ram! That isn't the issue. The issue is: there are no seals on the reservoir cylinder. None in the parts drawing, none on the parts list and none during the initial teardown.

Here's PDF of the jack: parts breakdown and parts list

How about Permatex number 1? Sets up hard.

FYI I never had much luck with the locktite sealants. Their thread locker and gel superglue kick butt though.

Give a call to a place called A & A Hydraulic in Cleveland, 800-992-9898. Bernie was the guy there. They are an old time Blackhawk jack service center. See if they can provide any advice.

All the old Blackhawk jacks and Porto Power equipment made during the Applied Power days (this jack) were sold to Hein Werner Corp in 1986. Hein Werner sold the jack business to Lincoln/Pentair in 1992. The trade name is now owned by Shinn-Fu America. I doubt there is a lot of OEM support, but again, you could try A & A.

Any older Blackhawk jack with a 67xxx part number was a USA jack. Anything labeled as "Banner" 65xxx or 68xxx was an import.

Some good info there. Thanks.

Post this question over on the Garage Journal forum, There are some certified jack Buddhas over there.

A guy named “Hiball” is super knowledgeable.


https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=34969

I love the old made in USA floor jacks & think they are worth rebuilding/restoring every time. I have a NAPA made in USA jack from the mid-80's. Newer imported jacks - I don't trust them. The steel China uses in anything is questionable at best.

I had my old heiim warner rebuilt and the guy epoxied that seal area together.

Going to have a look for that Permatex #1 today.

Also posted on the Garage Journal. Wanted to PM the recommended member but as a new member I had to have made a post first so I did.

Those aluminum floor jacks are sure purty and light but I just can't bring myself to scrapping this old girl. She's heavy but internally perfect. I know I can get this leak fixed and while I may not be around for another 30 years, it will !!

Want it to seal up? Use The Right Stuff. Best stuff I've ever used. But it will be tough to get back apart.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-25228-Gasket-Maker

The very first review addresses the OP's question.

Unfortunately that link doesn't work and that's where the review would be.

You can get the right stuff at any auto parts store and its in with the silicone
No experience on jacks but good on engines

I really wanted to read that review !!

I've got an old Coats Atlas my Dad bought back in the early 70's. It's pretty rough but a good old jack.

Lazzers Hyd. and floor jack is where I got everything I needed to rebuild mine

In my town there are several hydraulic supply houses- re builders whom my employer frequents often for fittings and rebuilding of valves and cylinders. Id visit one of them if I were in your shoes.

Well crap, I don't know why I can't post the link.

But anyway, go to Amazon and look up Permatex 25228 Gasket Maker. It's an Amazon Choice, so it should come right up. There are several package sizes. This is the tube, about like the other RTVs. It is really, really tough stuff. I am careful where I use it. I have damaged parts taking them back apart.

I used Permatex #1 on Monday night. The small amount that seeped out at the joint wasn't hard Tuesday morning - maybe my definition of hard is different than theirs. Anyhow, I'm not in a rush so I figured I'd leave it a couple days before I fill it with fluid.

I believe that type sealant will harden faster in the interface area, in the absence of atmosphere!

Hopefully you knocked off any burrs/imperfections on the tube end of the tube.

When you filled it did you extend the ram and retract it as you filled it? I’ve seen a number of rams where people fill improperly!

Happy New Year!
Kevin

Haven't filled it yet.

Got 'er filled and no leaks after a day sitting. Put it all back together and it works as good as new !!

I had 3 in the shop. Guy that comes around and does a mobile service "rebuilt" them and took an old one that we got free in a tool deal years ago. No idea on brand but the 2 we kept are a black hawk and an OTC. Both well built ones that have lasted years but just did not have the lift. Well they worked for awhile. Now the OTC will just be sitting and pee all over the floor and the black hawk lifts about half what it should in height. Yes they are great jacks but obviously the rebuild kits are just that but a temporary band aid on throwing them away. i do agree that how many of the new ones will still be around 20+ years from now. I would say none unless they are just sitting and never being used.

There's only two reasons it will only lift 1/2 the height. 1) something is jamming it (unlikely) 2) not enough fluid. Fill 'er up !!