Seacocks......oo er

[pbdrivers]

Hi all. my boat is out of the water for service antifoul, etc etc etc etc ......I am doing some jobs myself to fill in time and to save a bit of lolly. One of these luvverly jobs is.. my toilet seacocks will need removing, greasing and replacing b4 she is put back in t' water next week.
can anyone give me a verbal idiot's (thats me folks) guide to doing the above. Please bear in mind that the seacocks were placed in a little alcove under a bulkhead, behind a door and in a small recess accessible only by a very small contortionist PORG (person of restricted growth) with double jointed limbs and spanners on his/her fingertips.
I would be grateful for any step by step guide anyone may offer.
Cheers
Rob.

<hr width=100% size=1>Please help, every time I learn something new it pushes out the old stuff.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Rob,

What type of valve is it, gate, blakes, ball valve?



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[pbdrivers]

Errrrm, they are brass coloured with red handles. One big un and a not so big un.
Is there an easy way to find out what type they are?
Cheers
Rob

<hr width=100% size=1>Please help, every time I learn something new it pushes out the old stuff.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Sounds like ball valves, if you have to turn the handle only a quarter of a turn they are ball valves.

If you have to wind a round handle round and round they are gate or Blakes.

Let us know and we can go from there.

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[Nick2]

With this type of seacock can they be over opened?

Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>

 

[oldsaltoz]

You don't say what type?

Ball valves can not be over opened, the ball turns, the handle has a stop tab, if the handle is damaged or missing, terning past 90 degrees will start closing it.

Gate / Blakes can be damaged if opened past the limiter, the thread securing the gate can break or slip, this means it may not be possible to close / open the valve.



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[Nick2]

Ive got the blakes type I think and just seems to take many turns to close it.

Its prob OK but need something else to worry about this afternoon.......

Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>

 

[andyball]

Are there various types of blakes seacocks?.... I can't see how the ones pictured <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.chillington-marine.co.uk/blakes_seacocks.htm> here </A> could need the handle winding "round & round" like a gate valve


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[oldsaltoz]

Some Blakes valves have been fitted with round handles to overcome limited space for the lever handle, The site listed below shows a few different types of vales used.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://marinestore.co.uk/thestore/wv.html>http://marinestore.co.uk/thestore/wv.html</A>

Hope this helps.

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[andyball]

But doesn't the handle still only move 90degrees, not round & round?.

Do any Blakes seacocks need several turns of the handle to open/close?

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[Guest]

Dont waste time and money servicing them . obviously you dont know the state of them anyway so replacement for a few pounds has to be the answer.
This being accepted.
Block the external of the skin fitting with a neat wooden plug"the sort that is used in emergencies" and using a hole cutter of suitable size drill(machine) the flange off the skin fitting, pull the skin fitting, valve and the hose up through the hull into an accessible place where you can work on it and check it out properly. The choice is now yours replace the skin fitting (obviousley) £6-00 plus some silicone and service the sea cock or replace them both £21-00. if you wait for the old b**g*rs on this site to finish their discussion about the colour of the handles the season will be over.

Regards

Rob
PM me if you are not sure

<hr width=100% size=1>robinwdunham

 

[pbdrivers]

Thanks one and all for your replies.......having looked at the varicose links you posted i think they are ball valves. They only need a 1/4 turn to operate 'em. rather than the ones that screw on forever like on your hot water cistern.
I dont really want to start drilling the skin fittings out if all i need to do is dismantle, grease and re-assemble the seacock. I can see the merits of that one if the seacocks were troublesome or inoperative but in this case i think a strip/lube and re-assemble will be better.....so, the prologue.......ball valve type seacock, in perfect working order, would like to keep em that way, in the words of the late great and lamented Jack Hargreaves.....How?
Cheers again all
Rob

<hr width=100% size=1>Please help, every time I learn something new it pushes out the old stuff.