The Ford Barn

Tom L. · 08-13-2012, 10:03 PM

I am new to The Ford Barn and would appreciate any advice you may have to share. I recently bought a 1929 Ford Model A Town Sedan (155-A) and this is my first model a. In looking over the vehicle, I noticed what appears to be some black sealant around the treads of the shutoff valve. So far, it does not leak (I have not driven it very much so far) but I am wondering if I should replace it now before it does. Should I leave it as-is under the theory that "if it is not broke, don't fix it?" Or should I replace it and use gasoline resistant thread tape (rather than the black sealant)? Finally, is this the right shut off value for this car? Again, thanks for any advice you may have on this. Tom

Bruce Adams · 08-13-2012, 10:27 PM

One of the most reliable gasoline proof sealants over the decades has been PERMATEX NO 2 sealant which stays soft and sounds like what someone put on your threads.
I suggest you leave it well enough alone, particularly since plumbers teflon tape IS NOT gasoline resistant, though the GREEN teflon tape is.

Napa Skip · 08-13-2012, 10:29 PM

The "black stuff" may be a liberal application of Permatex, often used in such applications, although my preference is a little less and Permatex Form-A-Gasket No. 2 which is non-hardening and fuel resistant and used where sealing is more important than adhesion. Regardless, the "if-it-ain't-broken-don't-fix-it" approach has much to recommend it.

It appears to me to be the correct gas shut-off valve. If it isn't, someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

You might take a look at what appears (from your posted photo) to be a very poor electrical splice badly covered by electrical tape in the right-hand section of the photo.

And welcome to Ford Barn in general and Model "A" ownership in particular.

Bruce Adams · 08-13-2012, 10:32 PM

Correct shut-off valve drawings are in all the vendor catalogs.
That one does not look correct to me.
There must be a dozen good vendor provided catalogs.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-14-2012, 04:08 AM

I'd recommend buying the Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards. It's one of the best books every Model A owner should have. Sometime during 1929 the handle changed from a forging to a stamped handle as you show.

2manycars · 08-14-2012, 05:09 AM

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That is not the correct valve for a 29, but it appears to be a new one, which while not correct appearing, is a much better valve than the original. Unless you are interested in fine point judging at a national model A show, I would leave it alone and enjoy the fact that it does not leak.

Tom L. · 08-14-2012, 07:47 PM

Thank you all for your great advice. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge with the new kid on the block. All the best, Tom

Peter J · 08-14-2012, 09:46 PM

With an A, I could almost guarantee something will jump ahead on your priority list. If it works and doesn't leak, I'd leave it for now.
Pete

08-13-2012, 10:27 PM	#2
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Question Re Fuel Shutoff Value One of the most reliable gasoline proof sealants over the decades has been PERMATEX NO 2 sealant which stays soft and sounds like what someone put on your threads. I suggest you leave it well enough alone, particularly since plumbers teflon tape IS NOT gasoline resistant, though the GREEN teflon tape is.

08-13-2012, 10:29 PM	#3
Napa Skip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Napa CA Posts: 412	Re: Question Re Fuel Shutoff Value The "black stuff" may be a liberal application of Permatex, often used in such applications, although my preference is a little less and Permatex Form-A-Gasket No. 2 which is non-hardening and fuel resistant and used where sealing is more important than adhesion. Regardless, the "if-it-ain't-broken-don't-fix-it" approach has much to recommend it. It appears to me to be the correct gas shut-off valve. If it isn't, someone more knowledgeable will chime in. You might take a look at what appears (from your posted photo) to be a very poor electrical splice badly covered by electrical tape in the right-hand section of the photo. And welcome to Ford Barn in general and Model "A" ownership in particular. __________________ Skip Keyser Napa Valley A's Olympic Vintage Auto Club (1980-1982) MARC of San Diego (1977-1978) MAFCA (since 1978) MARC (since 1977) ---------- Model A owners belong in their Model A’s; Model A’s belong on the road.

08-13-2012, 10:32 PM	#4
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Question Re Fuel Shutoff Value Correct shut-off valve drawings are in all the vendor catalogs. That one does not look correct to me. There must be a dozen good vendor provided catalogs.

08-14-2012, 04:08 AM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Question Re Fuel Shutoff Value I'd recommend buying the Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards. It's one of the best books every Model A owner should have. Sometime during 1929 the handle changed from a forging to a stamped handle as you show.

08-14-2012, 05:09 AM	#6
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Question Re Fuel Shutoff Value Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That is not the correct valve for a 29, but it appears to be a new one, which while not correct appearing, is a much better valve than the original. Unless you are interested in fine point judging at a national model A show, I would leave it alone and enjoy the fact that it does not leak.

08-14-2012, 07:47 PM	#7
Tom L. Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 11	Re: Question Re Fuel Shutoff Value Thank you all for your great advice. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge with the new kid on the block. All the best, Tom

08-14-2012, 09:46 PM	#8
Peter J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 691	Re: Question Re Fuel Shutoff Value With an A, I could almost guarantee something will jump ahead on your priority list. If it works and doesn't leak, I'd leave it for now. Pete