Blakes seacocks - tightening

sadler25

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Hi

I have freed up and ground in the seacocks on the heads, using the hints and tips from this forum. I am wondering what pressure should be needed to open and close them when they are re-assembled ?

Should you be able to open and close them by using one finger, or do they need to be tightened more so that they need firm pressure to operate ?

Many thanks

maks
 

Jonny A

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I've just finished doing mine and after doing up the screws the handles are quite tight to turn. Does this matter in any way?
 

Kukri

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I've just finished doing mine and after doing up the screws the handles are quite tight to turn. Does this matter in any way?

Only inasmuch as once she is afloat you can tighten the holding down bolts but you cannot undo them!

I have found it best to put more than enough grease on and leave the bolts just finger right, then if the seasick weeps a bit after she has gone afloat, tighten them until the weeping stops, but not more.
 
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alan_d

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Several years ago I followed the advice on here about not tightening the bolts too tightly, and before launching I was able to operate the seacocks easily with one finger. I could not get to the boat until about three days after she went into the water, by which time the bilge water was up to the cabin sole. Tightening the bolts stopped the leak, but I had to put up with rather stiff seacocks for the rest of that season. At that time I was using water-pump grease, but since buying the proper Blakes stuff I have had no further problems (although I haven't dared leave them quite as slack as I did that time).
 

sadler25

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Several years ago I followed the advice on here about not tightening the bolts too tightly, and before launching I was able to operate the seacocks easily with one finger. I could not get to the boat until about three days after she went into the water, by which time the bilge water was up to the cabin sole. Tightening the bolts stopped the leak, but I had to put up with rather stiff seacocks for the rest of that season. At that time I was using water-pump grease, but since buying the proper Blakes stuff I have had no further problems (although I haven't dared leave them quite as slack as I did that time).

Thank you for your warning. I'm happy to say that I paid the extra and bought the genuine Blakes Grease before removing them and will stay on board after launch to double check for any leaks.

maks
 

Kukri

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Sorry if I'm being thick here

Is the idea to do up the bolts finger tight (or just over), and then do the bottom nuts up quite tightly?

The nuts are lock nuts because the body of the seacock is tapped. In fact older Blakes seacocks don’t even have nuts. I would not harden up the lock nuts until you are sure you don’t have any weeps or drips, in case you need to harden the bolts up. Once you are happy, then yes.
 

reeac

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My tip is to tighten the bolts until you have just, but only just, stopped the lozenge shaped plate from rattling at either end. Then tighten the lock nuts. Yes, should be operable with one finger pressure without leakage as long as you havn't stinted on the grease.
 

chewbacca

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Do up the bolts till the lever operates without too much effort then nip up the locknuts .The bolts are threaded into tapped holes in the body of the valve and the locknuts effectively prevent the bolts slackening off under use
 
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