Frozen gate valve- best way to seal??

[briangsmith]

My through hulls are fine- 2 out of 3 older gate valves (none of which
I ever use) are fully closed- But apparently the 1 1/4" head intake gate
valve (I've pulled the head out) has a slow leak- I have tightened her
all the way she is going to go-

The question I guess is, what's the best way to seal, or 'cap', off this
leaky valve?? Threaded bronze cap? Stuff it full of epoxy?? Both??
I would really rather not have to re-do through hulls and valves yet-
better left until fall when she is hulled out for paint, winter storage, etc.
The season here in Homer, Alaska is only now through about end of
September..

Thoughts??

Thnx~

 

[Art Mullinax]

Leaking where?

Is the gate valve leaking or is it the stem? If it's the gate, open the valve a little (pipe it to a bucket) then close it off again. It may have trash on the gate or seat. If the stem is leaking, try tightening the packing nut on the stem.

 

[Emerald]

Be very careful of "fine" old gate valves. On my '66 Columbia, I had what I thought to be a pefectly fine thru-hull which had a gate valve I replacd with a ball valve break right off in my hand when I pushed on a soft piece of sink drain line (not stiff hose here). Ever since, I consider all unknown bronze that is old enough to come with gate valves suspect, and now when dealing with older boats, I just flat replace all thru-hulls with new bronze and install new backing pads full flanged seacocks, and never think twice again. Just be very careful with these old critters until your haul out and you have a chance to replace them.


-David
Independence 31
Emerald

 

[chaco]

Best way to cap your valve would be a short brass nipple and bronze cap.
I use Permatex Hi-Heat Black for pipe sealant.
And yes.... keep the leverage on the valve to a MINIMUM !
Good Luck until you pull her out for repairs. Replace your stuffing box
connector while you are at it. I forgot this on my last haul out and wished
I had gone with a new packless box.