The Ford Barn

spinelll · 12-18-2022, 05:38 PM

After I replaced my fuel shut-off, I thought I might play with the old, leaky one. A buddy of mine will help me "lap" the brass sections. However, I'd also like to get a new O-Ring for the stem but can't find the right size. I tried the local hardware store but was not successful. I know that these parts are sometimes very specific but does anyone know the correct dimensions?

Thanks
Leo

Gary WA · 12-18-2022, 05:48 PM

Did you check the plumbing section?

J Franklin · 12-18-2022, 06:34 PM

My small hardware store has bins of different size o-rings, you should find a different store if they don't have your size.

Synchro909 · 12-18-2022, 06:40 PM

From memory, they don't have an O ring in there unless maybe, that valve itself is an aftermarket replacement. The originals had a ring of some crushable material that was compressed by a nut on top of it. Snyders has them https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...9344&cat=41707

If your car is a driver and appearances are not so important (who looks up there under the fuel tank anyway), I suggest using a 1/4" ball valve available from any plumbing supply. NO leaks and durable.
Alternatively, they have this repair kit, which I have used quite successfully.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...9345&cat=41707

Big hammer · 12-18-2022, 06:47 PM

That looks like a late 31 firewall shut off gas valve, originally they have a packing that’s made of graphite ? Your on the east coast call Snyders or Bratton’s for the proper seal

Y-Blockhead · 12-18-2022, 06:50 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The kit Synchro refers to will not fit repro valves, only for original.

You might want to ensure the "o" Rings from the hardware store are gas/alcohol resistant?

J Franklin · 12-18-2022, 06:59 PM

I have used waxed string for that type of crush packing and it works great. I think I would use soaped string with gasoline.

bobbader · 12-18-2022, 07:09 PM

Several years ago (maybe still) there were repro valves on the market that used o-rings rather than packing. This is probably one of them. Keep searching for the correct o-ring. If not available at a hardware store or plumbing supply, industrial supply house is best bet. And,yes, make sure it’s gasoline resistant.

By the way, when the valves are apart, the piece shown in the picture looks the same whether it’s a late 31 valve or 29 - early 31 valve.

nkaminar · 12-18-2022, 07:12 PM

Make sure you use a little EZ-Turn on the valve when you assemble it.

McMaster-Carr has a wide variety of O rings for different usages. The O rings are flexible so an exact replacement is not necessary. Measure the diameter of the rubber and the ID of the ring. McMaster-Carr has metric sizes too so there is bound to be a match. Calipers are handy to measure the size.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...ezturnlube.php
https://www.mcmaster.com/

spinelll · 12-19-2022, 01:18 PM

Thanks for all the replies.
It's a repro valve. No packing.
Used on a 1930, under the tank.

The hardware store did have bins of O-rings but none matched.I'll try another store.
My general experience with any o-ring is if you don't get the exact match, they fail quickly or don't work at all.

nkaminar · 12-19-2022, 01:38 PM

Try McMaster-Carr

rotorwrench · 12-19-2022, 05:55 PM

Nitrile butediene o-rings will last for a while. Viton will last longer. Kits are available with different sizes.

I use aircraft o-rings since I have charts for the part numbers. Fluorocarbon (Viton) and fluorosilicone are the best o-rings for fuels. They work well with gasoline, jet A, or jet B fuel. Plus any kind of lubricating oil. Life is unlimited as long as they are in their original package.

12-18-2022, 05:48 PM	#2
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,106	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring Did you check the plumbing section? __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

12-18-2022, 06:34 PM	#3
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,965	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring My small hardware store has bins of different size o-rings, you should find a different store if they don't have your size.

12-18-2022, 06:40 PM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring From memory, they don't have an O ring in there unless maybe, that valve itself is an aftermarket replacement. The originals had a ring of some crushable material that was compressed by a nut on top of it. Snyders has them https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...9344&cat=41707 If your car is a driver and appearances are not so important (who looks up there under the fuel tank anyway), I suggest using a 1/4" ball valve available from any plumbing supply. NO leaks and durable. Alternatively, they have this repair kit, which I have used quite successfully. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...9345&cat=41707 __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

12-18-2022, 06:47 PM	#5
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring That looks like a late 31 firewall shut off gas valve, originally they have a packing that’s made of graphite ? Your on the east coast call Snyders or Bratton’s for the proper seal __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

12-18-2022, 06:50 PM	#6
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The kit Synchro refers to will not fit repro valves, only for original. You might want to ensure the "o" Rings from the hardware store are gas/alcohol resistant?

12-18-2022, 06:59 PM	#7
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,965	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring I have used waxed string for that type of crush packing and it works great. I think I would use soaped string with gasoline.

12-18-2022, 07:09 PM	#8
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 271	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring Several years ago (maybe still) there were repro valves on the market that used o-rings rather than packing. This is probably one of them. Keep searching for the correct o-ring. If not available at a hardware store or plumbing supply, industrial supply house is best bet. And,yes, make sure it’s gasoline resistant. By the way, when the valves are apart, the piece shown in the picture looks the same whether it’s a late 31 valve or 29 - early 31 valve.

12-18-2022, 07:12 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring Make sure you use a little EZ-Turn on the valve when you assemble it. McMaster-Carr has a wide variety of O rings for different usages. The O rings are flexible so an exact replacement is not necessary. Measure the diameter of the rubber and the ID of the ring. McMaster-Carr has metric sizes too so there is bound to be a match. Calipers are handy to measure the size. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...ezturnlube.php https://www.mcmaster.com/ __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 12-18-2022 at 07:30 PM.

12-19-2022, 01:18 PM	#10
spinelll Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 337	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring Thanks for all the replies. It's a repro valve. No packing. Used on a 1930, under the tank. The hardware store did have bins of O-rings but none matched.I'll try another store. My general experience with any o-ring is if you don't get the exact match, they fail quickly or don't work at all.

12-19-2022, 01:38 PM	#11
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring Try McMaster-Carr __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

12-19-2022, 05:55 PM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Fuel Shut-off O-Ring Nitrile butediene o-rings will last for a while. Viton will last longer. Kits are available with different sizes. I use aircraft o-rings since I have charts for the part numbers. Fluorocarbon (Viton) and fluorosilicone are the best o-rings for fuels. They work well with gasoline, jet A, or jet B fuel. Plus any kind of lubricating oil. Life is unlimited as long as they are in their original package.