Rebuilding Tank Valves.

[tomcatpc]

Hello
I was bored last night and tonight so I took apart a couple valves I am not using right now.
The first was a circa 1970 Dacor K-Valve.  This was a very simple process, once I got the bonnet loose.  I just wanted to see if I could do it and I had no problem.  Later I was looking online and I found several locations to get replacement valve seats, O-Rings, etc. 

Tonight I tore into a mid-1960's Healthways K-Valve and the valve seat was identical to the Dacor valve seat.  So getting parts would not be a problem.

Also tonight I was playing with this early 1960's US Divers J-Valve.


The valve seat is different on this one.  I did not look too much for replacement parts last night and will again tonight, but does anyone know of a source of USD Valve seats and other parts?
There was one clear-ish/translucent flat ring/gasket type seal on the stem, and that was it really.  Both the seat valve and the seal on this one would work as is.  But I'd love to find parts for the future if need be. 
The J-Valve side looked in decent/useable shape and I'm not going to hold my breath for replacements for that.  Other than there were two common O-Rings.

Actually had fun taking these apart.
Mark

[tomcatpc]

For the Dacor and Healthways Valves I have, I think this is the kit I'd need?
Mark

www.northeastscubasupply.com/standard-valve-rebuild-kit-with-seat-save-big/

[nikeajax]

Feb 13, 2017 20:41:44 GMT -8 tomcatpc said:

Actually had fun taking these apart.
Mark

Yeahhhhh! Yer getting more confidence in your ability

Your info will be an excellent resource, thank you!

JB

[SeaRat]

Here's a series of comments from Mark's and my Facebook exchange on this valve:

Mark Lodge John Ratliff. David Nelson. Don Fassbender Any of you Vintage Scuba Forum members know of a source of replacement valve seats for this valve? This is a US Divers/Aqua-Lung 1962 vintage J-Valve.
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
John Ratliff
John Ratliff Mark, I have never had to replace one of these seats. But I have resurfaced a seat or two. I do that by using a marble whetstone, used for sharpening knives, and use a circular motion to grind it down. I use regular sharpening oil, and use a clockwis...See More
Like · Reply · 1 · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge I did not know a valve seat could be resurfaced? I'll have to take it apart again and see about doing that. If I recall, the valve surface in the valve was a "volcano orifice" type opening?, and it looked clean and nothing caught my eye.
Like · Reply · 12 hrs
John Ratliff
John Ratliff By the way, all the oil has to be washed off before using that refinished seat. All of it!
Like · Reply · 1 · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge I am not using this valve, but have considered putting back on the tank it came with originally. I swapped it out for a Dacor J-Valve because it has a HP Port and I had thought I'd be using an SPG with my double hose reg. But I was fine with just a J-Valve...
Like · Reply · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge Already had plans to clean the oil off.
Like · Reply · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge One more question... On the valve stem I found one flat translucent/clear-ish washer/gasket (would not use the term O-Ring). What I am talking about is contacting the valve seat in the photo. Besides being old, I could find nothing wrong with this seal, it appeared in good shape and was very pliable. This was the only seal/O-Ring on the valve side I found. Could this one be re-used if it still works fine?
Like · Reply · 11 hrs
John Ratliff
John Ratliff Yes, it can be reused. Not a problem, but it is what makes the seal on this valve.
Like · Reply · 3 hrs

John

[tomcatpc]

Here is a photo of the J-Valve seat (left) and the valve seat (right)


The J-valve looks to be in decent shape? This is good, because I actually use J-Valves, and not sure how difficult it would be to find a replacement? I'm guessing that only being able to in a "on or off" setting and not being subjected to "being cranked closed way too tight by a "gorilla"" has something to do with it being in good shape? (Hope that all made sense?)
I think the angle and quality of the photo makes the valve look worse than it actually is?  I has "taken a seat", but is not nearly as bad as a photo or two I've seen online of other valve seats.

The valve seat looks like it might be able to still be used for a bit? Worst case senario is the valve leaks and I need to swap it out for a new one. And from what I can tell...this part is still available.
MarkSave

[tomcatpc]

Yes Jay, I'm having fun taking these apart!
Mark

[nikeajax]

John, I just couldn't help but feel your answer was kinda like an excerpt from Perry Mason



"Della, I need you to read me back your notes..."

Feb 15, 2017 10:03:47 GMT -8 SeaRat said:

Here's a series of comments from Mark's and my Facebook exchange on this valve:

Mark Lodge John Ratliff. David Nelson. Don Fassbender Any of you Vintage Scuba Forum members know of a source of replacement valve seats for this valve? This is a US Divers/Aqua-Lung 1962 vintage J-Valve.
Like · Reply · 18 hrs
John Ratliff
John Ratliff Mark, I have never had to replace one of these seats. But I have resurfaced a seat or two. I do that by using a marble whetstone, used for sharpening knives, and use a circular motion to grind it down. I use regular sharpening oil, and use a clockwis...See More
Like · Reply · 1 · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge I did not know a valve seat could be resurfaced? I'll have to take it apart again and see about doing that. If I recall, the valve surface in the valve was a "volcano orifice" type opening?, and it looked clean and nothing caught my eye.
Like · Reply · 12 hrs
John Ratliff
John Ratliff By the way, all the oil has to be washed off before using that refinished seat. All of it!
Like · Reply · 1 · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge I am not using this valve, but have considered putting back on the tank it came with originally. I swapped it out for a Dacor J-Valve because it has a HP Port and I had thought I'd be using an SPG with my double hose reg. But I was fine with just a J-Valve...
Like · Reply · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge Already had plans to clean the oil off.
Like · Reply · 12 hrs
Mark Lodge
Mark Lodge One more question... On the valve stem I found one flat translucent/clear-ish washer/gasket (would not use the term O-Ring). What I am talking about is contacting the valve seat in the photo. Besides being old, I could find nothing wrong with this seal, it appeared in good shape and was very pliable. This was the only seal/O-Ring on the valve side I found. Could this one be re-used if it still works fine?
Like · Reply · 11 hrs
John Ratliff
John Ratliff Yes, it can be reused. Not a problem, but it is what makes the seal on this valve.
Like · Reply · 3 hrs

John

[SeaRat]

Yes, I understand that simply copying those notes from Facebook, without editing them, makes confusing reading. Here's a translation:

Mark Lodge:
John Ratliff. David Nelson. Don Fassbender Any of you Vintage Scuba Forum members know of a source of replacement valve seats for this valve? This is a US Divers/Aqua-Lung 1962 vintage J-Valve.

John Ratliff: Mark, I have never had to replace one of these seats. But I have resurfaced a seat or two. I do that by using a marble whetstone, used for sharpening knives, and use a circular motion to grind it down. I use regular sharpening oil, and use a clockwis...See More

Mark Lodge: I did not know a valve seat could be resurfaced? I'll have to take it apart again and see about doing that. If I recall, the valve surface in the valve was a "volcano orifice" type opening?, and it looked clean and nothing caught my eye.

John Ratliff: By the way, all the oil has to be washed off before using that refinished seat. All of it!

Mark Lodge: I am not using this valve, but have considered putting back on the tank it came with originally. I swapped it out for a Dacor J-Valve because it has a HP Port and I had thought I'd be using an SPG with my double hose reg. But I was fine with just a J-Valve...

Mark Lodge: Already had plans to clean the oil off.

Mark Lodge: One more question... On the valve stem I found one flat translucent/clear-ish washer/gasket (would not use the term O-Ring). What I am talking about is contacting the valve seat in the photo. Besides being old, I could find nothing wrong with this seal, it appeared in good shape and was very pliable. This was the only seal/O-Ring on the valve side I found. Could this one be re-used if it still works fine?

John Ratliff: Yes, it can be reused. Not a problem, but it is what makes the seal on this valve.

That may make it easier to read.

John

[cnotthoff]

Wish I 'd seen this post before I mailed your fins. I'd of thrown in a valve seat and reserve.

Good dives,
Charlie

[tomcatpc]

Don't worry about it...I'm more or less "just having fun" with this.
Thanks
Mark

[tomcatpc]

Dacor K-Valve, guessing 1960's era?



Healthways K-Valve, with High Pressure Port, 1964 dated

[tomcatpc]

It appears as though the valve seats are very similar (even if they are in different positions in the photo and don't look the same) and I think would work in either valve? I think the rebuild kit I shared earlier in this topic would work for either of these valves?

On the Healthways valve there was no O-Ring present, just the white plastic washer that was in the bonnet. When I put this back together I put an O-Ring on the stem... If I did wrong and this valve does not work, I can change it out again.

Yes, I know, the stem on the Dacor valve is grungy and needs to be cleaned up better...
Mark

[nikeajax]

Mark, I think that nylon/teflon bushing stem packing on the HW does the same thing as an o-ring, as does that round dingus, the nut gasket, between the valve body and the seat assembly... ya shouldn't need nuttin' else, so I'd remove the o-ring ya put in...

BTW Dacor made their own valves too, and not made by Sherwood

JB

[tomcatpc]

Yep, looks like no O-Ring on the HW valve, just saw the blow-up parts view and just the white plastic washer...
Will remove the O-Ring.
Mark