Thanks to all you who have responded to this problem.  Here is a report
of the action taken.

1.  Removed action from piano

2.  Bench tested the action and found the problem still existed.  The #25
& #27 striking pneumatics would not operate under normal or high vacuum
but would operate under low vacuum.

3.  I then inspected the primaries in question and they appeared to be
functioning properly.  I did notice a slight hissing or whistling sound
coming from the secondary as if they were trying to activate.

4.  Separated the primary valve chest from the secondary and tested the
secondary assembly.  Both pneumatics in question operated under low,
normal and high vacuum.  No problem was detected.

5.  Turned attention back to primaries and they passed a number of tests
also.

6.  Removed secondary pouch board and tested the pouches by inflating #
25 and #27.  With them in this "ballooned" position I closed off the
input and then pressed the pouches back into the wells and noted the
resistance.  I compared this results to other pouches and found that
there was significant leakage with these two pouches.

With this knowledge I conclude that the pouch leather is porous and when
the primaries induce atmosphere the pouches leak to the extent that their
power is insufficient to activate the secondary valves properly.

Now I have a confession to make.  It is not easy to admit that you may
have made a terrible mistake, especially when you are admitting that
mistake to the "masters".  In my ignorance and lack of personal
experience dealing with pneumatic principals I DID NOT seal any of the
new pouch leather in this action.  I was using Reblitz book "Player Piano
Servicing and Rebuilding" as a guide and on page 82 he mentions sealing
the leather of pouches that ORIGINALLY had sealed pouches.  In all my
reading I could not with certainty decide if Standard sealed or not.  I
could not tell by sight if the old pouches were sealed or not.  I went as
far as contacting a local technician who was very cold and offered no
help.  I decided to go on without sealing with the thoughts if it didn't
work I could seal later.  I am of the opinion now that I have made a
mistake and believe that it would be a good idea to seal all pouches on
most players in the future.

Now I need your professional opinion on a few questions before I take any
further action on this player.

1.  Will a porous secondary pouch cause the kind of problems I am having?

2.  Should I seal all pouches in this action?

3.  Is it safe to say that most all new leather pouches need to be
sealed?

4.  What should be used as a sealer?

5.  How would you apply it?

6.  If I end up sealing all pouches will I have to adjust valve travel or
will that have to be determined after the sealing is complete?

Thanks for all your help thus far.  Please be patient with us new comers.
We want to do a good job and if we are to do that we need to learn from
you, the "masters" .

Sam Harris
3742 Old Creek Road
Greenville, NC.  27834
Day 1-919-752-4179 Night 1-919-758-6944
Musicman125@juno.com