The Ford Barn

brandon.dube · 12-13-2021, 02:30 PM

Hi Everyone – I’m new to this site. I apologize if this question has already been answered in another thread. I looked around and didn’t see anything.

I recently inherited my grandfather’s 1930 Model A. It’s been in storage for about 15 years. I recently got it into my garage and am starting to fix it up (so more questions will be coming 😊 ).

The fuel shutoff valve handle is stuck (wont turn clockwise or counter-clockwise). I unscrewed it from the tank. I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth rebuilding it or just buying a new one (I’ve seen them for like $30). I think the one I have is original, so I’d prefer to keep it if possible. I can take off the first nut, the handle, and the second nut and I can see the stem and packing inside. But the stem and packing are stuck. Any idea how to get the stem and packing out? I’ve seen other versions of the valve that have an opening on the back side and you can hammer it through. But this version is closed off by the body. So the only way to get it out is to pull it from the front side. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

brito36 · 12-13-2021, 03:14 PM

Purchase a rebuilding kit from one of the vendors and rebuild the original valve that you have. A rebuilding kit is considerably less than a re-pop valve. It's a very simple task to rebuild it.

Brentwood Bob · 12-13-2021, 05:07 PM

Try kroil after a soak in lacquer thinner. Or carb cleaner to disassemble.
I don't have experience with a sonic bath, but suspect that would be the most effective.

J Franklin · 12-13-2021, 05:52 PM

Taking it apart should be the last resort. It is most likely old gas varnish that has frozen things up. Carb cleaner should desolve the varnish.

wwirz · 12-13-2021, 08:21 PM

Keep the questions coming Brandon. We are here to help!

brandon.dube · 12-13-2021, 10:00 PM

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Thanks everyone! Really appreciate your quick responses and advice. I took a few pictures. I'm going to try soaking it in carb cleaner and see if it will loosen up. If not I'll just end up buying a new one. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again

Terry, NJ · 12-13-2021, 11:26 PM

Welcome to the Barn! The reason that your valve is stuck is because the stem is tapered and with our modern "Crapgas" parts tend to lock up. Steel gas can caps can be notorious . Tap it out gently with a soft hammer, not steel! Generally we lap the two parts together using a course toothpaste.
Good luck!
Terry

mass A man · 12-14-2021, 12:09 AM

Welcome to the Barn Brandon. Like a few others say, soak valve in carb cleaner in a small jar, be patient I know you can't tap it out, put handle on stem and see if you can turn it a bit, may also take small needle-nose pliers and pull out the packing.That can easily be replaced and should be during a re-build. Before you re-install valve into tank, please consider buying a "cigarette" filter specially designed for the Model A gas valve sold by most all vendors. Worth it's weight in gold in my opinion.

ronn · 12-14-2021, 04:19 AM

A little solvent and a big hammer and a little tap ta tap..........

nkaminar · 12-14-2021, 08:06 AM

When you put the valve back together you can use EZ-Turn to lubricate it. This lube will not dissolve in gasoline. See https://www.chiefaircraft.com/ez-turn-5oz.html.

brandon.dube · 12-14-2021, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mass A man

Welcome to the Barn Brandon. Like a few others say, soak valve in carb cleaner in a small jar, be patient I know you can't tap it out, put handle on stem and see if you can turn it a bit, may also take small needle-nose pliers and pull out the packing.That can easily be replaced and should be during a re-build. Before you re-install valve into tank, please consider buying a "cigarette" filter specially designed for the Model A gas valve sold by most all vendors. Worth it's weight in gold in my opinion.

Thanks, mass A man. Is this the filter you're referring to?

https://www.macsautoparts.com/model-...8-24767-1.html

So does this get inserted into the inlet side of the fuel shutoff valve, and then you insert the filter into the tank from the bottom hole when you screw the valve into the bottom hole?

Bob C · 12-14-2021, 11:38 AM

I see you show a link to Mac's, that is the last place I would buy parts.
Snyder's has the same part for $2.50 less. Besides Snyder's there is Bratton's
Bert's, Mike's and others that are usually less expensive and have great customer
service.

brandon.dube · 12-14-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

I see you show a link to Mac's, that is the last place I would buy parts.
Snyder's has the same part for $2.50 less. Besides Snyder's there is Bratton's
Bert's, Mike's and others that are usually less expensive and have great customer
service.

Awesome thanks for the info!

Y-Blockhead · 12-14-2021, 01:18 PM

Brandon, if you do end up replacing the valve, get it from Bratton's. Bratton's is the only vendor (that I know of) that specifically has a three year warranty not to leak. No other vendor claims this. https://www.brattons.com/FUEL-SHUT-O...uctinfo/13160/

Ed in Maine · 12-14-2021, 04:29 PM

Hello Brandon, it has been my experience that it is very difficult to get a tight shutoff on an old valve. It is leaking because the seating surfaces are scored from rust particles. Best to get a new one. Getting one from Brattons sounds like a good way to go, a trusted suppler. Ed

TMarsh · 12-14-2021, 06:56 PM

Just sent one back to Bratton's today. Had small leak that stunk up the garage. Anticipate new one. Emailed Bratton's and they emailed me back to send valve and copy of original receipt for warranty. Word to wise, keep your receipts for warranty items.

Dave in Petaluma · 12-14-2021, 09:37 PM

I have attempted to rebuild many shutoff valves without success, despite the straightforward process. All of them seem to leak through to the carb to some extent after rebuild. The new ones look good and work well.

mass A man · 12-17-2021, 01:17 AM

Yes, Brandon, that's the filter I spoke of. As I recall, it fits very tightly in the valve inlet hole but you may want to apply a very small amount of gas proof lock-tite also, make sure any adhesive does not get into the valve! That filter can save you from a lot of problems, not just rust particles. A friend's '30 roadster kept dying out on the road from fuel starvation, finally he found the problem after a few tow truck rides, it was a little round tinfoil cap-seal from a gas additive that sometimes floated over the tank drain hole and stopped the fuel. NOW he has the filter...

12-13-2021, 02:30 PM	#1
brandon.dube Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Posts: 5	Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Hi Everyone – I’m new to this site. I apologize if this question has already been answered in another thread. I looked around and didn’t see anything. I recently inherited my grandfather’s 1930 Model A. It’s been in storage for about 15 years. I recently got it into my garage and am starting to fix it up (so more questions will be coming 😊 ). The fuel shutoff valve handle is stuck (wont turn clockwise or counter-clockwise). I unscrewed it from the tank. I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth rebuilding it or just buying a new one (I’ve seen them for like $30). I think the one I have is original, so I’d prefer to keep it if possible. I can take off the first nut, the handle, and the second nut and I can see the stem and packing inside. But the stem and packing are stuck. Any idea how to get the stem and packing out? I’ve seen other versions of the valve that have an opening on the back side and you can hammer it through. But this version is closed off by the body. So the only way to get it out is to pull it from the front side. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

12-13-2021, 03:14 PM	#2
brito36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marengo. Illinois Posts: 262	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Purchase a rebuilding kit from one of the vendors and rebuild the original valve that you have. A rebuilding kit is considerably less than a re-pop valve. It's a very simple task to rebuild it.

12-13-2021, 05:07 PM	#3
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,245	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Try kroil after a soak in lacquer thinner. Or carb cleaner to disassemble. I don't have experience with a sonic bath, but suspect that would be the most effective.

12-13-2021, 05:52 PM	#4
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Taking it apart should be the last resort. It is most likely old gas varnish that has frozen things up. Carb cleaner should desolve the varnish.

12-13-2021, 08:21 PM	#5
wwirz Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Corning NY Posts: 244	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Keep the questions coming Brandon. We are here to help!

12-13-2021, 11:26 PM	#7
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Welcome to the Barn! The reason that your valve is stuck is because the stem is tapered and with our modern "Crapgas" parts tend to lock up. Steel gas can caps can be notorious . Tap it out gently with a soft hammer, not steel! Generally we lap the two parts together using a course toothpaste. Good luck! Terry

12-14-2021, 12:09 AM	#8
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 712	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Welcome to the Barn Brandon. Like a few others say, soak valve in carb cleaner in a small jar, be patient I know you can't tap it out, put handle on stem and see if you can turn it a bit, may also take small needle-nose pliers and pull out the packing.That can easily be replaced and should be during a re-build. Before you re-install valve into tank, please consider buying a "cigarette" filter specially designed for the Model A gas valve sold by most all vendors. Worth it's weight in gold in my opinion.

12-14-2021, 04:19 AM	#9
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,789	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) A little solvent and a big hammer and a little tap ta tap..........

12-14-2021, 08:06 AM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) When you put the valve back together you can use EZ-Turn to lubricate it. This lube will not dissolve in gasoline. See https://www.chiefaircraft.com/ez-turn-5oz.html. __________________ 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.

12-14-2021, 11:38 AM	#12
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,753	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) I see you show a link to Mac's, that is the last place I would buy parts. Snyder's has the same part for $2.50 less. Besides Snyder's there is Bratton's Bert's, Mike's and others that are usually less expensive and have great customer service.

12-14-2021, 01:18 PM	#14
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Brandon, if you do end up replacing the valve, get it from Bratton's. Bratton's is the only vendor (that I know of) that specifically has a three year warranty not to leak. No other vendor claims this. https://www.brattons.com/FUEL-SHUT-O...uctinfo/13160/ Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 12-14-2021 at 04:38 PM.

12-14-2021, 04:29 PM	#15
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,106	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Hello Brandon, it has been my experience that it is very difficult to get a tight shutoff on an old valve. It is leaking because the seating surfaces are scored from rust particles. Best to get a new one. Getting one from Brattons sounds like a good way to go, a trusted suppler. Ed

12-14-2021, 06:56 PM	#16
TMarsh Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 131	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Just sent one back to Bratton's today. Had small leak that stunk up the garage. Anticipate new one. Emailed Bratton's and they emailed me back to send valve and copy of original receipt for warranty. Word to wise, keep your receipts for warranty items.

12-14-2021, 09:37 PM	#17
Dave in Petaluma Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 61	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) I have attempted to rebuild many shutoff valves without success, despite the straightforward process. All of them seem to leak through to the carb to some extent after rebuild. The new ones look good and work well.

12-17-2021, 01:17 AM	#18
mass A man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danvers, Ma. Posts: 712	Re: Fuel Shutoff Valve Stuck (1930) Yes, Brandon, that's the filter I spoke of. As I recall, it fits very tightly in the valve inlet hole but you may want to apply a very small amount of gas proof lock-tite also, make sure any adhesive does not get into the valve! That filter can save you from a lot of problems, not just rust particles. A friend's '30 roadster kept dying out on the road from fuel starvation, finally he found the problem after a few tow truck rides, it was a little round tinfoil cap-seal from a gas additive that sometimes floated over the tank drain hole and stopped the fuel. NOW he has the filter...