[Healeys] Block/radiator drain tap

[Michael Salter]

Hi Harold, it's odd that the tap that you are talking about is open with the handle in line. I've only ever found that originals are open when the handle is at right angles which, I admit,  defies logic!!
Might be worth poking something through yours to see if there's just some obstruction.
Yes, tapping on the end of the shaft opposite the handle can work but you have to be VERY gentle as it's easy to crush the end of the shaft which is quite thin and has the hole for the split (cotter) pin.
An interesting note, the handle, which is threaded into the ball end of the shaft, is the only place on a Healey which uses a 12 × 32 tpi thread.
Good luck.

M



________________________________
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Harold Manifold <manifold at telus.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 6, 2025 11:28:20 AM
To: Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net>
Cc: healeys at autox.team.net <healeys at autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Block/radiator drain tap

Hi Michael,

Your solution is ingenious and concours correct.

I have a slightly different issue with my radiator drain tap. I need to drain the radiator, but the lever is stuck in the horizontal, closed position. I want to avoid breaking the lever, but it's interfering with unscrewing the cap. I'm trying to avoid moving the radiator altogether. I've heard that tapping the shaft on the opposite side of the handle might free up the mechanism.

Do you agree with this approach?

Thanks,
Harold

On Wed, Nov 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM Bob Spidell via Healeys <healeys at autox.team.net<mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>> wrote:
Took me a while ;)


On 11/5/2025 12:18 PM, Michael Salter wrote:
After struggling for months, off and on, to eliminate a persistent very slow drip, drip of coolant (yes I tried to lap it in many times) I finally came up with a solution!!
Usually easier to remove the entire tap than risk breaking the handle off (again) trying  to get it open.
M



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