Seacocks

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

Just replaced 3 of the Wilcox-Crittenden bronze tapered valves after 28 years. There was no corrosion, just some wear of the tapered plug and bore preventing a good seal, in turn causing a slow drip from them. They still all turned OK.

There are still 6 of the WC tapered valves working fine. These are the less used ones so have been less subject to wear of the bore.

We'll see how the Groco replacements fare.

If a little wear or wasp waisting was all the problem was, you should have been able to merely lap the cones with valve lapping compound to make them as good or better than new.

[Sea Diamond]

Again we see the huge benefit of regular maintanance, the least of which is winter lubrication of thru hulls, which is sadly lacking in many sailors today.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

Just replaced 3 of the Wilcox-Crittenden bronze tapered valves after 28 years. There was no corrosion, just some wear of the tapered plug and bore preventing a good seal, in turn causing a slow drip from them. They still all turned OK.

There are still 6 of the WC tapered valves working fine. These are the less used ones so have been less subject to wear of the bore.

We'll see how the Groco replacements fare.

Mark,

It is very rare that a tapered cone seacock can't be serviced to work as good as new. I think I can only recall one that was ruined and that was because a piece of monel wire fell down the sink drain and the owner closed the seacock on it..

I have lapped some very, very bad wear out and the valves went on for many more years of service...


Servicing Tapered Cone Seacocks (LINK)