[Healeys] How to de-seize a brass tap?

[Robert Duquette]

Thanks, Rich!
It didn't leak, but it's sealed with black paint.  :)
What does one tap on it with?  A soft wood?  Rubber hammer?
Hmmm ... brake fluid.  Would brake fluid damage the brass?  It should remove
the paint in the crevices and possibly free up that spring, shouldn't it?
I'm using a new one for now, but would like to eventually fix this old one.


> From: richchrysler at quickclic.net
>
> Those brass taps have a tapered seat. The spring keeps tension on the taper
> so it doesn't (shouldn't) leak. The best way to unsieze it is to tap on the
> spring end of the stem, so it moves the tapered barrel away from its
> seating.
> New ones are available if necessary.
>
> Rich
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
> On Behalf Of Robert Duquette
> Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 6:35 PM
> To: Healeys
> Subject: [Healeys] How to de-seize a brass tap?
>
> Hi!
>
> I have a drain tap from my rad that is seized up.  I had to remove it to
> drain
> the rad.
>
> I've cleaned it up as best I can, but I'm nowhere close to getting it to
> function.
>
> So, what do I do next?  Try to remove that cotter pin without breaking it?
> hah!  :)
>
> Then remove that spring.
>
> Then hammer on the pin that they came off of with a piece of wood?
>
> But ... then there's still that broken handle.  How do I get that out?
I've
> grabbed onto it with vise grips and twisted to no avail.  ( It's already
> broken so vice grips seemed reasonable,. )
>
> Do I soak the whole assembly in a penetrating oil or something?  I already
> have, but, I could leave it over the winter.
>
> http://www3.sympatico.ca/robertduquette/temp/RadDrainTap.jpg
>
> Robert D