Identifying Speedaire Compressor Models – Identifying Old Air Compressors

Having an issue identifying a Speedaire air compressor model? This article will provide you with tips on how to identify an older air compressor in order to try to source parts, find a compressor manual, or just get some online guidance on proper use and so on.

This page will also provide an opportunity for readers to post photos of their old air compressors so that someone can help identify them!

Table of Contents

• Tips on How to Identify Speedaire Compressor Model
• Reader Questions & Responses

Tips on How to Identify Speedaire Compressor Model

Identifying a Speedaire compressor model can be done with the 4 following steps:

1. Check the backside of the tank to see if there’s a stamp that lists the year that the compressor was produced along with the manufacturer. If only the manufacturer name is present, do a Google search of the brand compressors.
2. Look along all sides of the air compressor for a patent number, which is often listed near the name of the manufacturer on most older air compressors.
3. Go to Google Patents and run a search on the patent number (if you find it), this will provide you with basic information on the model including the manufacturer and issue date.
4. Upload images of the air compressor to a forum like this page where other compressor connoisseurs are likely to recognize the model.

For more detailed information, visit our Identifying An Older Air Compressor – Serial Numbers, Photos & Antique Air Compressor Identification guide here!

Reader Questions & Responses

Identifying Speedaire Compressor Model

by Rodney
(Kings Mountain, NC)

I have a pretty old Speedaire 2hp 20 gal portable that I am trying to determine what model pump is on it. I need to order some parts & so far none of the parts I have numbers for have shown up on Grainger such as the belt # (Durkee-Atwood BT-31) or the motor which is a Dayton LR22132. The big problem is that the sticker that had the model # & information on it is now gone.

The tank & pump are almost primer gray in color with a red & silver Speedaire sticker on the non-flywheel side. There is also a darker gray & yellow maintenance sticker on the same side. The model# sticker is up on the shelf where the motor & pump are. It appears to be a 2 part sticker as I still have the Speedaire title part.

The pump is a 2 cylinder model that is much like the attached picture except that the middle bolt is recessed onto a box that has the air inlets and is normally covered by the felt type of filter. I am not sure if the plates on top of the pictured pump are removable and the box I speak of may be underneath. The pump has a raised inscription that says B 17B. The serial number for the compressor itself starts with 04207. The flywheel looks identical to the 1 in the picture.

I have a head gasket leaking & there is air coming out of the weep hole in the top of the housing that the shaft come through. I am assuming that these may be easy fixes or something that can be solved by rebuilding the pump but really need to be able to id it in order to get the right parts.

Identifying a Speedaire Pump So I Can Find Valves!

This is an old (judging from the fact I found it in my grandfather’s shop) air compressor pump. It is green in color, single-stage, and the piston is approximately 1.5″ in diameter. The only marking on the pump is MODEL A-9. Some photos are attached. Thanks!

Please leave a comment below if you’re able to help identify a Speedaire compressor, or if you have a question yourself, with photos if applicable, so that someone can help you!

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