seacock difficulties

[tappers]

I''ve just reinstalled a Blake''s seacock, having ground it in to a reasonable finish and applied plenty of silicone grease.

Try as I may I cannot seem to adjust the retaining plate properly. If the handle turns easily, under gentle pressure, the retaining plate seems a bit loose. If I carefully tighten the plate then as soon as it "sets" the handle becomes disproportionately harder to turn.

It beats me. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Tappers

[newuser]

If I remember correctly, the Blake seacock has a tapered barrel. If so, maybe you need to take it apart and lap the surfaces together using some grinding compound specific for that application (e.g., Spartan) or some fine automotive valve grinding compound from NAPA, etc.

When they are right, they work like a charm.


Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

[gnorbury]

I just fitted 5 new Blakes seacocks to my Nicholson 35 after replacing the old ones which were starting to fall apart after 17 years hard service.

The key question is whether you are seeing any seepage past the conical plug? With mine, the retaining plate is loose enough to wobble with light finger pressure. No water comes in so I am happy...

If you overtighten the plate you will cause undue wear on the cone and eventually the valve will seize up.

Graham

[scottcallahan]

enough of this fixing and re-fixing it just replace it. it takes me 1-2 hrs to replace a seacock. that includes taking the hoses off seacock off and thru hull out. also
putting in the new one.
enough of this trying to save money on safty equipment.

-scott-

[pompiliud]

hi:
I live in USA, near DC/Annapolis.
From where can one buy Blake seacocks? Does one have to order them from England? Is there a website for these (and other parts reasonably priced)?
Thanks. PD

[camaraderie]

You just questioned a 4 year old post ...but these guys should be able to help!
Spartan Marine Hardware • 340 Robinhood Road • Georgetown, Maine 04548 - - HOME - Email
207/371-2542 • 800/325-3287 • Fax: 207/371-2024 - SpartanMarine.com -

[sailingdog]

I prefer the lower maintenance of the ball-valve seacocks.

[FrankLanger]

I have been reading about sailboat maintenance lately and am getting conflicting information about ball-valve bronze (not marelon) seacocks. Some books indicate that they don't need any maintenance unless they are becoming noticeably stiff, in which case they should be taken apart, cleaned, greased and reinstalled. Other books indicate they should be taken apart annually to do the above. Do any of you know what is correct; and what most people do?
Thanks,
Frank.

[sailingdog]

Generally, all ball-valve seacocks should be operated at least once a month and greased twice a year IMHO.

[svindigo]

How are you greasing those ball valves if the boat is in the water?
Thx
Ike