Heater Valve for 1500

[RossL]

I can't seem to find a new replacement heater valve for a 1978 Midget. Is there an alternate that could be used?

 

[Morris]

Do you not have one? Of is it that yours is malfunctioning? They are pretty easy to rebuild.

 

[Guest]

I use a ball valve from the hardware store.

 

[RichBall]

As Morris said they are pretty easy to rebuild.

Separating the valve from the mounting bracket will reveal a set screw on the back side. Remove this screw and work the valve cylinder from the valve body. You’ll probably see a lot of crud and a worn out O-ring. Clean things up a bit, pick up a new O-ring (NAPA) and you’re good to go. I had to use a wire brush and emery cloth on mine being carful of the brass. You'll also want to lube things up when you reassemble the valve. I use Mercruser outdrive grease since it’s made for use around water and heat, but you could use plain old plumbers grease from the hardware store. Slide the valve back together; replace the set screw, and your done.

Just like that, you’re done

 

[SAMidget]

Mine gave up the ghost some time ago and on investigation found that these are not made anymore. So I went to the local hardware store bought some heavy duty matching diameter tubing as well as an inline plumbing valve and hey presto a new valve. All for less than R100 +- $14

 

[RossL]

Mine gave up the ghost some time ago and on investigation found that these are not made anymore. So I went to the local hardware store bought some heavy duty matching diameter tubing as well as an inline plumbing valve and hey presto a new valve. All for less than R100 +- $14

Do you have any pictures?

 

[RossL]

As Morris said they are pretty easy to rebuild.

Separating the valve from the mounting bracket will reveal a set screw on the back side. Remove this screw and work the valve cylinder from the valve body. You’ll probably see a lot of crud and a worn out O-ring. Clean things up a bit, pick up a new O-ring (NAPA) and you’re good to go. I had to use a wire brush and emery cloth on mine being carful of the brass. You'll also want to lube things up when you reassemble the valve. I use Mercruser outdrive grease since it’s made for use around water and heat, but you could use plain old plumbers grease from the hardware store. Slide the valve back together; replace the set screw, and your done.

Just like that, you’re done

I will try this

 

[RichBall]

Glad to hear your thinking of giving it a try. I think too many of us rush to replace an original part that could easily be repaired/refurbished with an inferior part that costs way too much money and will not last nearly as long. In this case the valve is not available, but a good example would be the Hazard switch in our cars. A lot of perfectly serviceable all be it dirt switches have been replaced when all it needed was a good cleaning.

If you take the valve rebuild on and run into trouble feel free to get hold of me. I will be at the NW Organization of Spriget Handymen in Transit gathering on Saturday, but will have my phone. I'll PM with the number.

 

[jlaird]

Glad to hear your thinking of giving it a try. I think too many of us rush to replace an original part that could easily be repaired/refurbished with an inferior part that costs way too much money and will not last nearly as long. In this case the valve is not available, but a good example would be the Hazard switch in our cars. A lot of perfectly serviceable all be it dirt switches have been replaced when all it needed was a good cleaning.

Ha, my whole life is made up of repairing old stuff and using it again and again. My grand-kids even said when little Grand-paw can make it work.

 

[Billm]

Happy Birthday Jack!
BillM

 

[jlaird]

Thanks Bill. Old as dirt now, 73.

 

[regularman]

I just got my 77 not long ago and I might be way off base here but it looks like there is a cable on the dash that actually moves this valve so you can turn the heat on without raising the hood.

 

[RichBall]

Kim

The valve we are talking about here (I thought) is the valve mounted on the right of the heater box that controls the flow of coolant into the heater

The switch from the dash runs a cable to a flapper valve in the air inlet of the hearer box. I'm not sure what magic MG used to have that valve control air flow to the vents or defrosters, but it is not connected to the heater (coolant) valve. It must just be a flow/volume thing.


On the other hand, MGB's do have a control on the dash that does control the coolant flow to regulate temp

 

[RichBall]

Ha, my whole life is made up of repairing old stuff and using it again and again. My grand-kids even said when little Grand-paw can make it work.

Jack

I have a sign in the garage that Susan and my Granddaughter Mackenzie made for me that reads Grandpa's Garage, We Fixed It! And now that my Grandson Logan is a little older (3) I swear the first thing he says when I see him is "Grandpa, you fix this” Man that kid is tough on toys.

My latest infection/obsession/addiction besides the Midget is resurrecting old vintage machinery. I already have some, that pen I turned for you was on a 1939 Craftsman lathe, but I need/want more. The latest one is a Powermatic 143 bandsaw that needed new bearings. I've had it and the parts for months, just haven't had the time.

If anyone is at all interested go check out www.vintagemachinery.org and its sister site www.owwm.org (old wood working machines).

Oh and by the way, Happy Birthday!

 

[jlaird]

heh, thanks. Wife loves her pen. That was a fine idea. Thanks