Them things were about before the advent of the cheap plug-in compressors Jeff - they were popular as an alternative to hand pumping back in the 70's - also pre electronic ignition, oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. > This is NOT a good idea for the reason you mention and several others. > Depending on the type of car, and how you do it, you may also damage the > electronic ignition, oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. > > If you need a cheap and dirty small air compressor, go to a DIY auto store > and get a $10 USD one that plugs into the cigarette lighter on the car. It > is meant to pump air to 75-80 psi or more and probably costs less in time > and money than buying or making a check valve and possibly damaging the car > using it. > > Good luck, Jeff Dayman Waterloo Ontario Canada > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Charles & Dorothy Brumbelow" <cbrumbelow@xxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:47 PM > Subject: [modeleng] Re: Steam engine RPM? > > > > Actually, Tony, you COULD replace one of the spark plugs in your > automobile > > with a check valve and use that cylinder as a compressor. That was a tip > in > > one of the early (prewar?) DIY magazines here in the states. Might have > > been fine to fill up a tire after repairing a flat, but it sounds a lot > like > > a potential bomb if you filled up a metal tank with the mixture of > gasoline > > and air under pressure. Charles > > > > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, > modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. > MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.