Problem with fuel tap.

Bassman/NZ

Well-known member
My 28 has a problem. I rebuilt the fuel tap with a kit, works fine, but when I put it on the tank it wont sit in the right position unless it's not screwed up tight. I guess I need to seal the threads with some goo.
 
Are you referring to the under-tank fuel shut-off valve and saying that the valve handle is running into something? Seems to me that the valve handle should be either pointing down at the floor or parallel with the fuel line. What are the positions on your valve and what is the handle running into?
 
what I think he is talking about is the fuel shut off valve when tighten under the fuel tank and the face of the handle is not facing the correct direction. as in it might be facing the firewall, instead of the passenger area.
 
Aha! I agree with Glenn - when I replaced the valve in our Tudor, I had to use a cheater bar on the wrench to get the valve around the last bit.
 
I should have been more explicit. When the tap is cinched up tight, the outlet is pointing the wrong way. To get it tight and facing the correct way would require an unreasonable amount of force. The alternative is to have it loose and facing the right way, but the threads will probably seep gas. I should mention that this particular fuel tank and this particular fuel stop tap, although the correct ones, came from a parts stash, so have likely never been married.
 
I had that problem once many years ago and used a product by Permatex to seal it. It didn't harden, didn't leak and was a very dark green/brown color - I think they still make it.
 
I would get the correct size pipe tap, and then turn the tap a little at a time (actually cutting metal) until you can get the fitting the way you want. It might take several trys, but sealants will not stop seepage on loose threads.
 
the pipe tap, or pipe die will work, another method I have used when there is no room for cutting deeper threads is to tin the threads with solder --the no lead plumbing solder works well for this
 
I also think Kurt's idea of tinning would be the best solution.

I've also had to do that a few times on different fittings to get them to seal.
 
First off, I like the idear of tinning the threads best. But I am responding because I got wondering about what kind of Permatex that I used (in 1964)on my shut off, so I went down to the barn and found that original tube of sealant. It is greenish/black looking and contrary to what I said before about not hardening, it's not true.
 
What I did was put a couple of fibre washers on the tap thread and then sanded them thinner until it tightened in the correct position -Karl
 
I use teflon tape but make sure it is not on first thread where it can get into gas line flow..
You can wrap it heavy if needed but just make sure you leave first thread or two clear to start threading into tank or other fittings you use it on.
 
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