Gas shutoff valve handle direction

W

wrndln

Well-known member
My coupe has been setting for some time. I can't remember which direction the handle on the gas shutoff valve under the gas tank is for OFF and ON. I think The handle being straight up and down is ON, but I am not sure. If anyone can post the correct direction for the handle I would appreciate it. I should have marked with a label.
Rusty Nelson
 
Mine is horizontal for off and vertical up and down for on. Although I have read some places that state the valve should be horizontal in line with the gas line for on. I think there is some confusion and the handle actually should be in line with the valve body and flow coming from the tank to be on, and that would be up and down.
 
Yep, just think about launching a rocket ship.
When it's pointed up it's ready to blast off.
When the launch is horizontal, it's shut down.
 
All bets are off on the '31 style valves. I have seen them with the handle in several orirntations.
 
Pointed at the floor to drive on 31's. On late 31's pointed across the firewall to drive or at least that's how the two I deal with are. I always think of it as pointed at the road to go on the 31, and pointed at the starter to go on the late 31
 
I think you all of guys are right. The handle pointing down is the on position. That is all except mine! When I bought the '30 Town Sedan 23 years ago I had no idea that there even was a fuel shutoff. I don't remember how I found out. Well mine is opposite. I just remember to start it "up" and shut it "down." I've been wrong all these years but "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Marty
 
The previous owner of my pickup had marked the directions with tape to indicate which direction to turn on the fuel. He even told me he had done so when I got the truck.

Me, I still forget every now to turn the blamed thing off. I need an alarm bell or a cattle prod to remind me, I suppose. :-)
 

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Years ago somebody told me to think,down and out.When the handle is hanging down the gas is going out.It seems people would get confused on the spark also,so he would tell them,start it up.To start it up you push it up.
 
FWIW

For the vehicles with the gas shut off valve inside. Note the valve outlet is 90 degrees from the inlet.

Think of the gas line as if it did have a valve that has an outlet 180 degree from the inlet and imagine the outlet is straight down.


When the valve handle is perpendicular to the pipe, NO flow, valve is in the off position.

When the valve handle is in line with the pipe, you have flow, valve is in the on position.

Using the sketch below visually rotate the valve 90 deg with gas flowing in from the top
 

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My late 31' has two. The valve next to the tank I labed with a sharpie --actually the ink is easily removed.

i-dGrLfmH
 
Just installed a new one......as it came, vertical is "ON", horizontal is "OFF." Of course, you may have already done it, but you could try to start it - you'll soon know if you're getting gas or not.
 
I Thought I was the only one. On my late 31 under hood I regent The handle so it is in line with the pipe when on and at right angles when off.
 
You can't imagine how MANY times I FORGOT to turn it on & it went "BLLLP", at the end of the driveway!
After being in the horsepital for 4 months, struggled into Minerva & NO START! "Thought" the "EVAPO" GHOST had kiped my gas. Sat up in bed @ 2:17, "OH crap, fergot to turn on the gas", complicated by the fact that the gauge cork had DIED!
Bill Dummy
 
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On my 31 roadster it is: up and down = on, left-right or horizontal = off.

It is always opposite of what I feel it should be.

I like Toms rocket ship analogy.
 
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