[Healeys] 6 cyl heater tap on the block

[Bob Spidell]

More-or-less.

It's an, uh, 'interesting' part. Usually, you'd expect a ball valve in 
this type of application but, instead of a ball the valve is 
cone-shaped, with a hole for water passage. The cone is held within the 
(tapered) body by a spring, with a thin washer on one side and a thick 
one, notched to limit the 90deg movement, on the other. Because it's a 
cone, the valve requires the spring to hold it tight against the body, 
but if they part the valve will leak. I found this out recently when my 
heater control valve started to leak and I thought "No problem, I'll 
just close the block valve." Then, I took a drive and the block valve 
started leaking so badly I needed a tow home. I hadn't 'exercised' this 
valve in a long time and I think finally getting it to move opened a gap 
between the cone and the body of the valve (the spring is supposed to 
hold them tightly together). I took it apart, cleaned it, and put a 
slightly thicker flat washer on the spring.

Moral of the story: 'Work' this valve occasionally (maybe at oil 
changes). If yours is stuck, don't grab a wrench or pliers--the handle 
is fragile--but lightly tap the spring side, maybe with a screwdriver 
handle. If you're lucky, that will break the adhesion between the 
moving, cone-shaped valve and its body.

A fine example of British over-engineering.


On 4/17/2022 9:11 AM, BJ8Healeys via Healeys wrote:
>
> Mine does.
>
> *From:*Richard Kahn [mailto:tahoehealey at hotmail.com]
> *Sent:* Sunday, April 17, 2022 12:06 PM
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net; BJ8Healeys
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] 6 cyl heater tap on the block
>
> Is the lever suppose move all the way to the perpendicular position?
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:*Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of 
> BJ8Healeys via Healeys <healeys at autox.team.net>
> *Sent:* Sunday, April 17, 2022 7:01 AM
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net <healeys at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] 6 cyl heater tap on the block
>
> The ON position is at the full counterclockwise rotation of the handle.
>
> The last time I had the valve off I took it apart, cleaned it, and 
> applied anti-seize compound to the tapered shaft.  Still works very 
> smoothly.
>
> Steve Byers
>
> HBJ8L/36666
>
> BJ8 Registry
>
> AHCA Delegate at Large
>
> Havelock, NC  USA
>
> *From:*Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] *On Behalf Of 
> *Richard Kahn
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 16, 2022 1:02 PM
> *To:* Bob Spidell; healeys at autox.team.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] 6 cyl heater tap on the block
>
> Your photo made me check. It actuall does say off and on the valve. 
> Still the lever seems ot be half way between off and on. I have 
> learned not to fix anything that is working.  So, 7:30 it is until it 
> starts leaking someday.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:*Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Richard 
> Kahn <tahoehealey at hotmail.com>
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 16, 2022 9:56 AM
> *To:* Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net>; healeys at autox.team.net 
> <healeys at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] 6 cyl heater tap on the block
>
> Did I miss the answer to the question? Is it closed in the 
> counterclockwise position? My BJ8 is open (getting heat) with the 
> lever at the 7:30 position viewed from the front. It has always been 
> that way. In US plumbing the heat would be off with the lever 
> perpendicular to the hose and valve.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:*Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Bob 
> Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net>
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 16, 2022 9:43 AM
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net <healeys at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] 6 cyl heater tap on the block
>
> Oh, I should have added: Be careful trying to turn, esp. if it hasn't
> been 'exercised' in a while. The handle is fragile (maybe soak in a
> penetrant first). Also, the valve is spring-loaded, if you can push it
> in and out a few times may help loosen it.
>
> On 4/16/2022 12:57 AM, Alan Seigrist via Healeys wrote:
> > Quick Q -
> >
> > If looking at the tap from the top, is it closed with the lever in the
> > full counterclockwise position, or the full clockwise positiom?
> >
> > Happy Easter &
> > Happy Passover!
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Alan
> >
>
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