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Replacing Water Valve with the Muenchausen Special

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LarryO

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My heater/water valve has been leaking all summer. I've read that the replacements aren't very reliable. Sooooo...I'm gonna replace it with the design shown on Bob Muenchausen's page. The one where you cut the existing valve in half, use it as a base, and plumb in a 1/4" ball valve.

Anyone out there done that?

Looks like a pretty simple job. I had to order the 1/4" by 1/2" bronze union from the internet. No one in east Tennessee seemed to have it.

Anyway, gonna give it a shot one day next week.
 
The only problem I ever had with a heater valve was fixed by repacking the seal. Packing material available at Ace Hardware for cheep, like 29 cents. If that fails check out your nearby marine supply store.

Mine leaked around the stem.
 
I've not done it yet but when I was out at Bob's for a visit, I saw it on his car - looks real good, not out of place
 
Re: Replacing Water Valve with the Muenchausen Spe

The MGB replacements are not very reliable at all. My brother replaced his after the first one (came with car) failed, shorting the distributor, if I recall correctly. The second one lasted 3 months. The third has been good so far, but I immediately saw the possibilities in using an alternate valve (being the improved replacement part type).
 
Re: Replacing Water Valve with the Muenchausen Spe

I did the conversion to my 67B and have had no problems, but i will revert to original specs when i get a good quality replacement! Very handy to have as a stopgap measure though!
 
For the best in simplicity, I *think* you can use the same stock heater valve that's used on a 948 Bugeye and MGA.
Very simple and elegant with a "faucet" handle (but you have to lift the bonnet to turn on the heat).
Available at Moss and Victoria-Brit I think.
 
Re: Replacing Water Valve with the Muenchausen Spe

I've had 'em leak at the stem, leak internally from diaphragm failure, found 'em plugged with goo... even made a mold for making diaphragms when the valves were too expensive (Gotta love Devcon materials), and rebuilt 'em. In the "on-board spares" kit I used to carry a blanking plate and shorter bolts as an emergency measure... and plug the return with a spark plug /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif All a PITA.
 
Re: Replacing Water Valve with the Muenchausen Spe

Bob is in our club so I can attest to how well the conversion works. Even hooks up to the existing cable so you can work it from inside the car.
 
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