An oil supply hose provides lubrication from the engine block. Oil enters at the compressor crankshaft end cap and lubricates the crankshaft bearings. Some oil flows through the oil passages in the crankshaft to lubricate the connecting rod bearings, the cylinder walls and the piston pins.

A coolant supply hose provides coolant from the thermostat housing to the compressor. A coolant return hose carries hot coolant back to the engine coolant pump.

Inlet air is filtered through the engine air cleaner element to protect the compressor from dirt in the air.

As the piston moves downward, air is drawn into the cylinder through the inlet valve of the cylinder head. This is referred to as the intake stroke. As each piston begins to move upward, the inlet valve closes and the air above the piston is compressed. This is referred to as the compression stroke. When air pressure in the cylinder becomes greater than the air pressure in the air reservoir, the discharge valve raises off its seat allowing air to pass through the exhaust port and out the discharge tubs. As the intake stroke begins, the discharge valve seats again.

The Bendix TU-FLO 550 is a two-cylinder, single-stage, reciprocating air compressor. It has a rated displacement of 13.2 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 1250 rpm. It consists of two major subassemblies, the cylinder head and the crankshaft. The cylinder head is an iron casting that houses the inlet, the discharge and the unloader valving. The cylinder head contains the inlet air port.

The design of this compressor is such that they cylinder head can be installed in one of two positions that are 180 degrees apart. The crankcase houses the cylinder bores, the pistons, the crankshaft and the main bearings.