In 051102 MMDigest, Jack Conway writes:

> ... When tuning was started it was tuned to A=424 Hz.  I asked if it
> could be taken up to A=440, which has caused some pipes to go crazy
> just as they were about to reach pitch.  They may just need repair,
> as the tuner has been doing as we go along ..."

An organ will sound best when tuned to the pitch (and the correct
wind pressure) that was designed by the voicer.  You'll need a planned
approach, since one cannot repeat bending and flattening metal without
consequences.

Jack noted that raising the pitch "caused some pipes to go crazy."
In reed pipes (trumpets and clarinets) both the tuning wire and the
resonator affect the pitch.  Get them out of balance and the pitch will
"fly off".  If the reeds inside the shallot have been tampered with,
tuning and voicing will be a nightmare.  (I'll spare everyone the
sermon.)

Since the pipes have been generally abused you won't get a good result
from patching as you go.  Pipes should first be restored or replaced.
Pipes must be a set, not a hash.  The reservoir and windlines should be
repaired prior to tuning and voicing.  A "scrap organ" is a waste of
time, and will never sound right.

I recommend further research, and a plan.  Find out technical details
of scaling, wind pressure, pitch, etc., from knowledgeable people who
have worked on these particular instruments.  Please let us know how
your project proceeds.

Best wishes,
Robert Linnstaedt - The Organ Shoppe