New AC-0032 valve plates don't work on the existing heads of my Craftsman 919.152.930 compressor. Is there a way to use the existing head or is there a different head which will work?

check/ replace the non return valve in the line from the compressor heads to the tank

If you get air movement out of the air cleaner and it only compresses air to 25psi, you have bent or broken reed valves in the head. Take the head off the cylinder and inspect the valve plates and reed valves. This is a Craftsman compressor so you'll most likely have to get parts through Sears at www.searspartsdirect.com. For best results replace everything between the head and cylinder; gaskets, valve plates and reed valves.

Sounds like part of one of the head/valve plate gaskets.

It sounds like a bad gasket. Either the one between the valve plates or the one between the head and top valve plate. The top gasket is the most common one that fails. If the middle of the gasket is broken, where it separates the intake from the exhaust, you will get symptoms just as you described. Will only build up a small amount of pressure. Here is a link to look at the parts diagram and to order parts from.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/Air-compressor-Parts/Model-921153101/0247/0703000/50037535/00001?blt=06&prst=&shdMod=

Very hot air is an indication of leaking /broken head gasket or reed valve. Before you remove any parts, with compressor running, check all fittings for leaks with soapy water. If no leaks, remove head and examine parts. If reed valve is broken replace as needed or do creative repair. Some valve plates have multiple reeds and only one reed is broken. Depending on your skill level, you can thread the hole and seal with piece of bolt (finished repair must not be any thicker than the plate). Good luck

Without knowing specifics of your unit, If there are three reeds, then two are probably for intake and one for exhaust. Intake reeds should be on the piston side of the valve plate, discharge reed should be on the head side.

There should be a divider in the head side to separate the inlet from the discharge. Make sure the valve plate is turned so that the air from the air filter side goes to the side with the intake valves, and the air from the discharge valve should go to the side with the pipe to the tank.

I have a Ingersoll rand 4000 5hp 60 gal single stage that was doing the same thing. It ended up being a proken reed valve. I ordered the reed valve kit (comes assembled on the plate) installed it in about 15 minutes, I'm not sure your craftsman is laid out the same way but it was a easy instalation. I pulled the 6 bolts out of the pump head and the hole valve plate underneath was replaced with new gaskets and re installed the head with the 6 bolts (torqued to 20FP) and it's pumping like a champ again. Remember to always disconnect from your power source so there's no accidents. The kit cost $114 and I had to purchase the correct 6mm allen wrench socket to fit my 1/2" drive torque wrench. I hope that helps you out.

If you get some fine sand paper 1000 grit and put it on a very flat surface and sand in a figure 8 pattern after about three minutes look at the plate if the plate is warped it will the part thats not shinny if it's more than .05 then you can use some aircraft copper gasket sealer to put on the gasket and head one of the lines you are talking about shuts down the compressor it is called an unloader valve. check to see if it is working, if you need instructions on it post here and I will answer back.
avid101

sounds like reed valves are bad,sometimes you can take the reed valves and flip them over for short fix,best to put new one in unit.

check the oil level of the cranckcase first