Blakes seacocks - again..

[alec]

I have two weeping seacocks that are too badly scored to grind out. They are the Blakes cone type of seacock.

Can metal be reconstituted ?

Unfortunately access is diabolical. They take both deck and cockpit drains and everything would have to be remodelled . The wear is probably due to them being left open for thirty odd years.

The current Blakes seacocks would not fit right and I would have to take the engine out.

I could just about get the cocks out if there was a way they could be rebuilt .

Any ideas would be very welcome.

 

[earlybird]

A common way of re-building worn components is by metal-spraying and re-machining, but I think that might be OTT for sea-cocks. Presumably both the body and plug are damaged. The body would be difficult any-way. Are you sure that new Blakes won't fit? I thought the only change since Noah used them was the addition of a grease nipple. I once replaced a damaged plug with one from another unit, it fitted fine and might just give you some improvement if the bodies of yours aren't too bad.

 

[alec]

Thanks for the response.

The seacocks are made by 'someone' from Poole stamped on them. Outrageous that they have only lasted for about 35 years !.

Might have to take it on the nose for this season as I am starting to get cabin fever.

There's always next winter I suppose.

Carry on dripping...................

 

[Bilgediver]

Bit puzzled that they are scored if not operated for 35 years????

Is the scoring around the diameter from something trapped during operation or is is along the length of the taper. Is the body of the cocks and the taper plugs both scored..Any chance of piccies????

 

[alec]

[ QUOTE ]
Bit puzzled that they are scored if not operated for 35 years????

Is the scoring around the diameter from something trapped during operation or is is along the length of the taper. Is the body of the cocks and the taper plugs both scored..Any chance of piccies????

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the response.

Looking at the Blakes website, the key areas are the top and bottom of the cone/body.

In my case, the actual hole in the cone is scored at the edges with an area at the bottom of the body deeply scored for an unknown reason. Probably continued growth over the years due to barnacles etc. The top half of the cone/body seems fine, probably because they are harder to reach for the critters !

It's a shame because there is still plenty of material apart from the affected areas.

It's amazing they have gone so far in such a hostile environment.

 

[Bilgediver]

In my case, the actual hole in the cone is scored at the edges with an area at the bottom of the body deeply scored for an unknown reason. Probably continued growth over the years due to barnacles etc. The top half of the cone/body seems fine, probably because they are harder to reach for the critters !
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It seems to me that with some tlc and re assembly with decent grease your sea cock will be fine.

Circumfrencial scores around the plug look worse than they actually are....Will even help form a grease seal /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif scores around the plug where the hole is will possibly allow slight weepage to the toilet when the cock is closed and scores around the small end of the taper also will look worse than they are and not be of major concern.

You could try carefully lapping the plug to the bore using grinding paste as sold for grinding engine valves .

You may have to be carefull how you lap the plug to avoid removing more material from one end or the other however it is worth trying before giving up and ripping them out.

When re assembling use a copper filled type grease which would help ensure the plug seals and remains free..

 

[Tranona]

They were probably now defunct South West Marine Factors (SWMF) and made by Rowe. Blakes is not a direct replacement as the hole spacing for the bolts is different. I have just replaced (well, two years ago) a 1 1/2 Rowe (after 35 years) with a Blake, but was able to fill the bolt holes (in ply) and redrill. The actual spigot is the same size, but the body of a Blakes is larger. Mine had gone oval and would not seal or rotate smoothly despite grinding in. My engineer friends said metal spraying and re-machining the tapers without the jig was a no -no so I sold my grandchildren and bought a new one.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

I found that using TOTALLY WATERPROOF grease was the answer.
I use Evinrude Johnson Triple-Guard Totally waterproof Grease. It is really thick and seals up my 25year old Blake's valves every time!!!

 

[leomagill]

If the problem is dripping around the rim of the cone I managed to put a small o-ring groove on the very top of the plug on my bog outlet, it is only about 1mm down from the top so still in fairly thick metal, a good viton o-ring and plenty of silicon grease and it works great, don't have to nip it down so tight either, I left it for a day with a length of pipe full of parafin to leak check before re-fitting the whole thing and all was good.
You have to be careful getting it centred in the lathe though or the o-ring ends up on the lash.