I just got this pump at the thrift store for 5 bucks. I know that Silca pumps are supposed to be pretty nice, and repairable. I'm unclear on how to use the pump head. It looks like the middle barrel has Schrader and Presta ends, I'd like to use the Presta side. When I push it onto the valve stem, it just flops around and doesn't stay put while I try to work the pump. So either, a) I'm doing something dumb, b) the pump head is assembled wrong, c) something else.

Any advice?

Wow, a vintage Silca floor pump and head for 5 bucks, good deal. Head presses onto Presta valve, you pump up tire (with tube inside) to 100 psi or better. Use thumbs to push head off valve, don't bend, just push. Tighten screw, put cap on and ride. Pump can be cleaned and rebuilt, heads are available for presta and Schrader valves. I've had one for years. Basicaly, bulletproof.

Whole centerpiece is reversible, should have a SV gasket and pin in the center on one end and a PV gasket on the other end..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presta_valve

smooth band at the top of the brass portion * is where the pump gasket seals ..
* whether the stem is all the same finish or like this shows..


I'm guilty of pushing the pump head on the threaded portion and wearing out the gasket,
once I saw the error I was making , the gasket wear stopped ...






....

I think I figured it out. I couldn't push it all the way on because the stem was getting pushed in, so I put on one of those little nuts that comes with new tires, and was able to get the head on. I'm guessing there's a good chance that the pump would benefit from a new gland, and is probably worth rebuilding. The narrow bore is convenient for reaching a high pressure.

Yes, the SV bit is on the other side. Nice design!

I have a Silca track pump that is 40 years old, key is to keep the leather pump cup from drying out .. grease it..

Spare Silca pump head gaskets and other parts. https://silca.cc/collections/replacement-parts Order from your LBS or the internet.

New gasket and leather gland are on the way.

I have two Silca's and one with that head. I was able to replace the rubber gasket and even bought an extra before the switch over to Indianapolis ownership. When the gasket is new, I just spit on it to help lubricate it so it doesn't get so torn up.

So I decided to dig a bit deeper. The base of the pump, as seen in the picture, is heavily corroded, and some of the metal is even eaten away. So this thing must have sat in some kind of nasty place for a while. I decided to disassemble it, and indeed, there was a bunch of blue granules of something, maybe fertilizer, maybe road salt. I washed it away, and scraped away as much of the corruption as I could, probably an oxide of whatever metal the base is made from. Also, the base has a crack in it, but I'm going to just coat the parts with grease and put the whole thing back together. One nice thing about this design is that the functioning of the pump doesn't depend on the integrity of the base. I expect that since I won't be filling up tires for an entire peloton, this thing will probably last me forever, and will be fun to have. Keeping an old pump working goes hand in hand with keeping my old bikes working.

I am still using my red Silca with a steel Columbus tube barrel that I bought new in 1975 when I was riding tubulars. It was a college graduation present to myself. Still works perfectly and measures pressure accurately. The wife and I also use Silca Impero vintage farme pumps.

Next version, , schrader screw on head stayed on the hose, Presta bell style head screwed into it...

I don't much care for the old brass Silca pump head. If they flopped over and hit the bike they left a mark. I like the more modern aluminum ones better. Keep the rubber grommet inside the head lubed with silicon lube and the leather pump shaft seals lubed with grease and it should last a lifetime. Silca sells replacement grommets and leather seals also. Silca are the best pumps ever made, period. They last and they do the job every time. I love mine. I've had the same pump for 25 years and have two other newer models.

BTW Peloton magazine is running a deal at www.peltonshop.com where for $125 bucks you get a year of Peloton magazine both mail and online and a Silca pump and Silca tire lever set. I did it last year and the pump is first rate and will last a lifetime.

Mystery solved. Compared to the new gasket, I can now see that the old one is worn beyond recognition. Also, a few days with new grease, and the leather gland has rejuvenated itself. Pump is working great.

I have had mine since 1903 or 04. Replaced the leather once and went with the Presta only head 10 or more years ago. I have replaced the gauge once and cleaned the check valve once. I can't think of a reason for a new and improved pump.

Is the leather seal really called a 'gland'?

I once got a Silca Impero (with campy head) for free from a used bike shop when buying a few other things. I used it for a while, but the leather seal needs replacing, and I haven't gotten around to it yet. My trusty old Zefal Hp/X still works great.

So you're over 115 years old?

The Silca I use is from 1986, and is the elusive pink color. Has been in continuous use since new, and is on it's second leather and grommet. My friend, Tom, made a more dense grommet for it about 25 years ago and it has been fine since. It is starting to wear and I figure in 5 or so years the grommet will need to be replaced again. Super durable pump.

Silca pumps blow

Feels like it. Early 90's.

Wow! So you and your pump are both of impressive vintage!

So the question is, how do you know exactly where the gasket seal is located (it's inside, so you can't see)? Are you going purely by feel?

I just bought a Silca head for $30 and put it on the end of a previously crappy Park Tool pump. So far it has been great, but I'm never sure about how far to push the head onto the valve.

That's just, like, good general life advice right there...

My Silca track pump generally this one , the gasket is on the end of the bell shaped end ..

and the fine thread below the smooth band as seen in # 4 picture is larger the coarse thread foe the cap is not larger