59 AB Heater Valve

[jagnweiner]

I'm replacing the leaking heater supply valve that screws into the head. Quick question: should I put any kind of thread sealer or pipe compound on the threads before screwing it it?

[Kube]

Originally Posted by jagnweiner

I'm replacing the leaking heater supply valve that screws into the head. Quick question: should I put any kind of thread sealer or pipe compound on the threads before screwing it it?

It wouldn't hurt to apply a bit of Teflon tape. If it is a show car, be certain the tape can't be seen.

[jagnweiner]

Originally Posted by Kube

It wouldn't hurt to apply a bit of Teflon tape. If it is a show car, be certain the tape can't be seen.

Thanks, Kube. That's easily done. Not a show car, but still easy to hide it.

[petehoovie]

[QUOTE=Kube; If it is a show car, be certain the tape can't be seen.[/QUOTE]

Ironic....considering the "Where it can't be seen...." Thread and its comments....

[jagnweiner]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Ironic....given the "Where it can't be seen...." posts....

Didn't mean to start down that road. . I thought about sharing my philosophy in that thread, but ultimately just voted and moved on. This car's a driver, like all my old cars. But it's a very nice driver, and as I work on fixing the little things wrong with it I try to keep it stock or return it to stock. In this case I'm mostly wanting to prevent leaking.

[V8COOPMAN]

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Originally Posted by jagnweiner

Didn't mean to start down that road.

Scott.....You DID NOT start anything down that road. It's unfortunate that a previous poster seems to have a challenging relationship with common sense and good, reasonable advice on occasion. Kube is a wise man. DD

[Kurt in NJ]

Most or the heater valves have a packing but that tightening can stop leakage

[jagnweiner]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

Most or the heater valves have a packing but that tightening can stop leakage

Kurt, thanks for that suggestion. Tightening the nut wasn't doing the trick, so I ordered the replacement, which was pretty reasonably priced. When I removed the old one, I did end up opening the old one and found a lot of corrosion.

I have been down the same road with a heater valve on my old MG Midget.

[Kurt in NJ]

Plumbing packing string can be used

I worked on a lot of mg midgets, those valves I just replaced

[Old Henry]

Here's what I finally replaced my water valve with to have better control of the heater temperature in all of my winter driving:









I've been using it continuously on the 4 day road trip I'm on right now and it sure is nice to control the temperature precisely.

[Drbrown]

My '47 59AB came with the small factory under-the-dash edge panel that has (1) the electric heater fan switch and (2) a choke cable knob that opens, closes or modulates the flow of hot water through the heater core.

The flow control valve itself (see photo) is cut-into the return flow heater hose that goes from the heater core to the lower radiator hose on the passenger side.

The switch has a connector to receive the end of the choke cable and the valve is made of molded Bakelite which will not rust or corrode.

In a previous thread about this subject, a forum member said these are still available.

As to originality, I understand heaters were typically installed by the car dealers at the purchaser's request, as related to the regional climate where the car was sold. It would seem that the heater and this control would be considered as stock equipment.