gas shutoff

[Scott Foldenauer]

My 80 year old shut-off no longer shuts off. Can anyone tell me if they have success in using the original style replacement or should I go to a modern type ball valve. I am hearing the original style replacements still allow gas through to the carburetor. (I know that this wouldn't be a problem if I had my float and float valve set correctly - I am also taking steps to resolve). Gosh this is fun!

[Tom Wesenberg]

I took my original valve apart and polished the taper using toothpaste. It now shuts off completely. I also seated the carb needle and seat with toothpaste, and that now fully shuts off also.

[Farrell In Vancouver]

I had success by stripping the valve apart and lapping the edges with lapping compound then tooth paste. Reinstall the packing/nut. Bench test with air till you get a decent seal, then test it with gas.
My 2cents, But if you want to try the repop valve, you may have to do this anyway (as I did on another car) the tolerances just aren't there with out work.
Good luck Scott, and keep having fun!

[Ken/SC]

I would try the lapping first. I bought a new one from Mike's affordable 4 years ago and it works fine. A new one is around $30

[shall]

New one here. So far so good. Also did the filter in the top of it to keep some of the junk out.

[mass A man]

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Scott, I was in such a hurry 2 summer's ago to get my '31 "A" up and running, I too, had an old , worn valve, sent off for a "re-pop" from Snyder's, drove car for a year, had good luck with the new valve. This past summer I had to remove engine, Have 3/4 full tank gas, Not one drop of fuel has leaked past my filter bowl opening for months now. ( by the way, I've kept my old valve for future winter-time rebuild project for a spare).

[1931 flamingo]

No problems with mine, late 31 indented BUT to avoid any problems and the inconvenience of opening/closing both the hood and the valve I opted to install the electric shut-of.
Paul in CT

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I use perfect fitting hardware store petcock type valve, 2 turns open, and you're set to go. Cost only $3.79 + tax!

[Ron Lowe]

I bought one from Bratton's and it works fine. Ron

[Fred K-OR]

I purchased a aftermarket and installed about 2 years ago. It leaks through to the carb. So guess I would suggest the rebuild of your old one like mentioned above. If I remember, I think you can buy kits to rebuild them.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Be sure to clean the gas tank as well as you can, then install the fine brass screen in the valve to help keep any junk from damaging the new valve. I haven't seen any problems with the repro valves, if you need to buy one rather than lap your leaking original valve.

[Elcastor]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

I purchased a aftermarket and installed about 2 years ago. It leaks through to the carb. So guess I would suggest the rebuild of your old one like mentioned above. If I remember, I think you can buy kits to rebuild them.

The kit I bought works fine.

[Louis]

Mine was leaking thru. the carb. I disconnected the gas line at the carb. and opened and closed the shut off valve and flushed about a pint of gas out, their must have been a small piece of rust or dirt, but it works great now, not a drop.

[john in illinois]

There is a product called fuel lube that is used in aircraft fuel systems. It resembles grease and seals and lubricates petcock tapered parts.No fuel or solvent will dissolve it. I used it when I worked on WW2 vintage radial engines.

I think most new petcocks come lubed with this. If you put some on the gas cap gasket,it will turn on and off easy. Model T guys use it. Langs model T parts sell it. The trouble is one tube is a lifetime supply. Be good for a club to have for members.

John

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by john in illinois

There is a product called fuel lube that is used in aircraft fuel systems. It resembles grease and seals and lubricates petcock tapered parts.No fuel or solvent will dissolve it. I used it when I worked on WW2 vintage radial engines.

I think most new petcocks come lubed with this. If you put some on the gas cap gasket,it will turn on and off easy. Model T guys use it. Langs model T parts sell it. The trouble is one tube is a lifetime supply. Be good for a club to have for members.

John

I got a small "pill bottle" half full of fuel lube from an A&P friend. Works like a charm!

[jkeesey]

I rebuilt mine and haven't had any problems with it, but I've also istalled at least a dozen of the new valves sold by snyders labeled to be leakproof guaranteed and haven't had problems with them

[leadpot]

My shutoff valve gets very hard to turn when I use regular (ethanol mix) gas. When I use strictly premium (no ethanol) the valve is smooth as butter. Guess the ethanol swells the o'ring in the valve. Have since sworn off the regular stuff.

Leadpot,

[Model A Man]

I ordered one of the electric shut offs for my girlfriends model a. when it shows up and I install it I will report how it works.

[Scott Foldenauer]

Update: I thought that I should let you know that the advise that I received here paid off. A little bit of lapping compound and toothpaste did the trick. I also used the shut-off rebuild kit. Now I am one week into the next eighty years of leak-free service (I hope). Thanks everyone for your help.

[Ray With]

Having gone through a couple of shut off valves I ended the situation with an inline ball cock valve from Lowe's and after 4 years it has been flawless.