The Ford Barn

BVZ24 · 07-16-2023, 01:47 PM

Another young Model A owner and I are having the common gas shut off valve slow leak issue. We both have reproduction gas valves that were lapped with lapping compound and we both use pencil filters. I have a single old brass valve in my loose parts that is probably original. It leaks more than my reproduction valve when tested.

I'm finding that these valves will often leak if any dirt or rust ends up inside them, hence the pencil filter, and the repros leak unless lapped, which we did.

I found one forum that claimed that very few original valves are usable. I'm not aware if that was before or after rebuild.

What are the best replacement options? Is there any particular supplier that has a more reliable valve?
At this point we would both prefer a ball style valve, but it would have to be compatible with the existing fuel lines.

The Master Cylinder · 07-16-2023, 02:03 PM

Bratton's has a ball valve 'kit' that replaces the inside gas line. Not much more than the repos valves that don't last for long. https://www.brattons.com/30-31-GAS-L...uctinfo/13350/

Wello · 07-16-2023, 02:19 PM

I replaced my leaky original with a new valve from Bert’s last week. It’s a very nice quality valve. Install was a breeze. Problem solved.

Brentwood Bob · 07-16-2023, 02:36 PM

I have quite a few refurbished OEM valves from a well known restorers estate.
I am on the left coast. Same price as new replacements. Every body needs a spare.

Mulletwagon · 07-16-2023, 02:46 PM

Had good luck with a standard style valve from Bratton's.

Big hammer · 07-16-2023, 04:25 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Fix your leaky carburetor and lap the gas shutoff valve, then only turn the gas valve off for servicing your carburetor or cleaning gas filters. This is what I did and I didn’t turn the gas valve off, didn’t have a carburetor leak for over a year.

Herb Concord Ca · 07-16-2023, 05:51 PM

Not original, but I use an inline 1/4" ball valve, end of problem.

The Master Cylinder · 07-16-2023, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big hammer

Fix your leaky carburetor and lap the gas shutoff valve, then only turn the gas valve off for servicing your carburetor or cleaning gas filters. This is what I did and I didn’t turn the gas valve off, didn’t have a carburetor leak for over a year.

Not a good idea, IMO. Good way to drain your gas tank all over the floor.

nkaminar · 07-16-2023, 06:53 PM

Use EZ Turn, https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...ezturnlube.php

My valve became galled and hard to turn. I took the valve apart and used the EZ Turn lubricant. This product will keep the valve from galling and leaking and makes the valve very easy to turn. I drive my car a lot and always turn off the fuel when parked, even when going to the store. The EZ Turn lasted about 6 months and then I put new EZ Turn in the valve.

A new valve will eventually gall because of the material used or will get scratched by any hard foreign material. Using EZ Turn at the beginning will keep the valve in good condition. Kind of like keeping grease in all the other moving parts of the car.

There are probably other grease like materials that can be used that are not effected by gasoline, but I don't know of any.

A friend uses a solenoid valve that come on when the ignition switch is turned on and shuts off when the switch is turned off. This works for him. The problems as I see it are that a modern ignition switch, that supplies voltage to the ignition system, must be used and it adds an electric/mechanical system that will keep you parked if it fails.

Dennisfly · 07-16-2023, 07:17 PM

Stainless ball valve from Amazon. Harder than brass so less prone to damage and downstream from paper filter so won't be subject to as much grit from tank. Won't work well for a judged car but works every time for a driver.

Synchro909 · 07-16-2023, 07:30 PM

My cars are drivers so when a fuel valve starts to leak, it goes in the trash bin and I buy a 1/4" ball valve and a couple of fittings to install it. End of problem. That said, the first time a valve leaked, I used one of these https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...9345&cat=41707. It has worked very well but I have been trying to work out what they used as a lubricant. The lube fills the scratches and thus, stops leaks. The lube has to be fuel proof or it will be washed out and must work as a lubricant. I pondered what they could have used for a long time. I tried different things, like silicone grease and others but the answer still eluded me. It was a palm on forehead moment when it came to me. I had reversed my thinking and asked myself "Where is a non oil based lubricant commonly used?" It came to me - KY jelly. I haven't tried it in a valve but see no reason it won't be the answer. All you would have to buy is a new seal for about $2.50 and the KY. Yur folks probably have some of that!

The Master Cylinder · 07-16-2023, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennisfly

Stainless ball valve from Amazon. Harder than brass so less prone to damage and downstream from paper filter so won't be subject to as much grit from tank. Won't work well for a judged car but works every time for a driver.

Nice valve, do you have a link to it on Amazon. I'm lazy and don't want to search (too much).

31a · 07-16-2023, 09:10 PM

Renners Corner a contributor. 0n this site offers modern options that they sell to replace the original set up I HAVE RUN ONE SEVERAL YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS.

oldspert · 07-16-2023, 10:37 PM

I had the same problem with the gas leaking back through the carb. I installed one of the 6 volt shutoff valves in line to stop the slow leak. After a short while the inside of the valve closed up because of, I think, the ethanol in the gas and had only a small orifice for gas flow. Car would run OK until the carb bowl ran out of gas then would go very lean. I have a 1/4 turn SS valve like Dennisfly used and will install it tomorrow.

petew · 07-17-2023, 08:00 AM

Can anybody tell me what the female thread is on the output side of the gas sediment bowl ?

My gas shut off valve leaks if the car sits for a week or more so as a band aid for now I would like to put a shut off valve at the output side of the sediment bowl but need to know the thread side .
My other choice is to drive the car once a week !

oldspert · 07-17-2023, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petew

Can anybody tell me what the female thread is on the output side of the gas sediment bowl ?

My gas shut off valve leaks if the car sits for a week or more so as a band aid for now I would like to put a shut off valve at the output side of the sediment bowl but need to know the thread side .
My other choice is to drive the car once a week !

Does it leak at the sediment bowl or inside the car?

petew · 07-17-2023, 09:00 AM

Valve doesn’t seal and allows fuel to seep past which after a weeks time causes the carb to overfill and leak on the floor.

Dennisfly · 07-17-2023, 10:23 AM

Master Cylinder,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1?ie=UTF8&th=1

Be sure to follow instructions for the compression sleeves on the fittings. They are a different design than the usual!

Y-Blockhead · 07-17-2023, 10:46 AM

I got tired of repairing/replacing the shut off valve. I installed a ball valve similar to the shut off valve that Bratton's sells. No problems since, altho I have to reach a little farther (no father than the GAV tho)

petew · 07-17-2023, 04:34 PM

Yeah I've looked at the compression in line valves and that is an option.
I really want to get a valve with male / female threads so I can pull the fuel line off at the sediment bowl and just screw a valve in there and screw the fuel line onto that.
That's why I was wondering if anyone know what the thread size is for the outlet side of the sediment bowl is.
Restoration Supply has some nice period correct valves .

07-16-2023, 01:47 PM	#1
BVZ24 Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 32	Gas shut off valve options Another young Model A owner and I are having the common gas shut off valve slow leak issue. We both have reproduction gas valves that were lapped with lapping compound and we both use pencil filters. I have a single old brass valve in my loose parts that is probably original. It leaks more than my reproduction valve when tested. I'm finding that these valves will often leak if any dirt or rust ends up inside them, hence the pencil filter, and the repros leak unless lapped, which we did. I found one forum that claimed that very few original valves are usable. I'm not aware if that was before or after rebuild. What are the best replacement options? Is there any particular supplier that has a more reliable valve? At this point we would both prefer a ball style valve, but it would have to be compatible with the existing fuel lines.

07-16-2023, 02:03 PM	#2
The Master Cylinder Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 886	Re: Gas shut off valve options Bratton's has a ball valve 'kit' that replaces the inside gas line. Not much more than the repos valves that don't last for long. https://www.brattons.com/30-31-GAS-L...uctinfo/13350/ __________________ The Master Cylinder Enjoying life at the beach in SoCal...

07-16-2023, 02:19 PM	#3
Wello Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Paradise, CA Posts: 97	Re: Gas shut off valve options I replaced my leaky original with a new valve from Bert’s last week. It’s a very nice quality valve. Install was a breeze. Problem solved. __________________ "If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem"

07-16-2023, 02:36 PM	#4
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,246	Re: Gas shut off valve options I have quite a few refurbished OEM valves from a well known restorers estate. I am on the left coast. Same price as new replacements. Every body needs a spare.

07-16-2023, 02:46 PM	#5
Mulletwagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 585	Re: Gas shut off valve options Had good luck with a standard style valve from Bratton's.

07-16-2023, 04:25 PM	#6
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Gas shut off valve options Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Fix your leaky carburetor and lap the gas shutoff valve, then only turn the gas valve off for servicing your carburetor or cleaning gas filters. This is what I did and I didn’t turn the gas valve off, didn’t have a carburetor leak for over a year. __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

07-16-2023, 05:51 PM	#7
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 637	Re: Gas shut off valve options Not original, but I use an inline 1/4" ball valve, end of problem.

07-16-2023, 06:53 PM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Gas shut off valve options Use EZ Turn, https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...ezturnlube.php My valve became galled and hard to turn. I took the valve apart and used the EZ Turn lubricant. This product will keep the valve from galling and leaking and makes the valve very easy to turn. I drive my car a lot and always turn off the fuel when parked, even when going to the store. The EZ Turn lasted about 6 months and then I put new EZ Turn in the valve. A new valve will eventually gall because of the material used or will get scratched by any hard foreign material. Using EZ Turn at the beginning will keep the valve in good condition. Kind of like keeping grease in all the other moving parts of the car. There are probably other grease like materials that can be used that are not effected by gasoline, but I don't know of any. A friend uses a solenoid valve that come on when the ignition switch is turned on and shuts off when the switch is turned off. This works for him. The problems as I see it are that a modern ignition switch, that supplies voltage to the ignition system, must be used and it adds an electric/mechanical system that will keep you parked if it fails. __________________ 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; 07-16-2023 at 07:00 PM.

07-16-2023, 07:30 PM	#11
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Gas shut off valve options My cars are drivers so when a fuel valve starts to leak, it goes in the trash bin and I buy a 1/4" ball valve and a couple of fittings to install it. End of problem. That said, the first time a valve leaked, I used one of these https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...9345&cat=41707. It has worked very well but I have been trying to work out what they used as a lubricant. The lube fills the scratches and thus, stops leaks. The lube has to be fuel proof or it will be washed out and must work as a lubricant. I pondered what they could have used for a long time. I tried different things, like silicone grease and others but the answer still eluded me. It was a palm on forehead moment when it came to me. I had reversed my thinking and asked myself "Where is a non oil based lubricant commonly used?" It came to me - KY jelly. I haven't tried it in a valve but see no reason it won't be the answer. All you would have to buy is a new seal for about $2.50 and the KY. Yur folks probably have some of that! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

07-16-2023, 09:10 PM	#13
31a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: College Station, Tx Posts: 326	Re: Gas shut off valve options Renners Corner a contributor. 0n this site offers modern options that they sell to replace the original set up I HAVE RUN ONE SEVERAL YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS.

07-16-2023, 10:37 PM	#14
oldspert Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 227	Re: Gas shut off valve options I had the same problem with the gas leaking back through the carb. I installed one of the 6 volt shutoff valves in line to stop the slow leak. After a short while the inside of the valve closed up because of, I think, the ethanol in the gas and had only a small orifice for gas flow. Car would run OK until the carb bowl ran out of gas then would go very lean. I have a 1/4 turn SS valve like Dennisfly used and will install it tomorrow.

07-17-2023, 08:00 AM	#15
petew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 188	Re: Gas shut off valve options Can anybody tell me what the female thread is on the output side of the gas sediment bowl ? My gas shut off valve leaks if the car sits for a week or more so as a band aid for now I would like to put a shut off valve at the output side of the sediment bowl but need to know the thread side . My other choice is to drive the car once a week !

07-17-2023, 09:00 AM	#17
petew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 188	Re: Gas shut off valve options Valve doesn’t seal and allows fuel to seep past which after a weeks time causes the carb to overfill and leak on the floor.

07-17-2023, 10:23 AM	#18
Dennisfly Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Virginia Posts: 140	Re: Gas shut off valve options Master Cylinder, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1?ie=UTF8&th=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1?ie=UTF8&th=1 Be sure to follow instructions for the compression sleeves on the fittings. They are a different design than the usual! __________________ 1929 Town Sedan (Briggs) 155B, Mitchell Overdrive 1935 Model 48 Tudor Last edited by Dennisfly; 07-17-2023 at 10:47 AM.

07-17-2023, 04:34 PM	#20
petew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mebane, NC Posts: 188	Re: Gas shut off valve options Yeah I've looked at the compression in line valves and that is an option. I really want to get a valve with male / female threads so I can pull the fuel line off at the sediment bowl and just screw a valve in there and screw the fuel line onto that. That's why I was wondering if anyone know what the thread size is for the outlet side of the sediment bowl is. Restoration Supply has some nice period correct valves .