[Healeys] 1964 BJ8 Heater Box

[pennell at cox.net]

Mark,

I have replaced a couple of these with standard O rings from the hardware store.  Don't remember the size, but in order to get it to seat better I had to do a little shaving with a sharp knife.  After several years still no leak problems.

Keith Pennell

> I would imagine that Brit. Car Spec. would have the o-ring that fits.
> 
> I have had more than my fair share of these English type control valves leak 
> in my day. (MGs)  At least in the MGs the leak is confined to the engine bay 
> where it can  drip on to the ground (not to mention the distributor)  but in 
> the Healey I see no other place for it to go but into the cockpit area. 
> Which makes me wonder why they didn't put it on the side of the block in the 
> first place. The top of the heater box is a terrible place. And I hate the 
> smell of hot antifreeze.
> 
> 
>    I have a brand new valve with a correct o-ring.   but its not going in my 
> car.   I just ran the hose directly to the the nipple stub on the radiator 
> where the valve should go.   I will control the water flow at the engine 
> shut off valve.
> This makes sense to me until someone can convince me differently.  I don't 
> trust these valves.  And they get cheaper and cheaper in their construction.
> And even when they are in the open position the damn thing barely opens 
> enough to let water through.   Yes I know about the Mods.  I've done a few , 
> but what little I run the heater in my LBCs,  I will go without the valve 
> hassle.
> 
> As long as the 2 hose clamps don't go kaput it should run leak free.