Heater Taps

Post by **millerman** » Thu May 20, 2004 11:25 pm

Any brilliant ideas to extend lfe of heater taps? They either leak or don't switch off, it's been a bit warm over the last few days!
For the time being I'm going back to the brass tap. I am wondering if there is a motorised valve that could be fitted in place of the wire control or perhaps a tap that could go into the heater pipe
Cheers

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu May 20, 2004 11:40 pm

The cable type just don't seem to be much good. I prefer to use an Ital type connection (no tap jst a connection) as it doesn't leak.
For turning off the water supply - something like a ball valve used on domestic hot water would be ok - finding one with stub pipes is the hard bit.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri May 21, 2004 10:58 am

perhaps a tap that could go into the heater pipe
Cheers

You could try one of the small washing machine valves with a small piece of 15mm copper at either end and then put the heater pipe to that as its 1/2" bore I think so it should go with a bit of a squeeze this could even be under dash fitted, the other alternative is a Chevette control valve as suggested by Owen Burton for fitting in line but as for finding one.
Ray are the Ital type stub connection still available.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri May 21, 2004 11:43 am

Ray are the Ital type stub connection still available.

Not when you give your Ital engine away for free!! Doh!

There are a few around though if you like autojumbles.
They are probably a bit easier to find than the Marina 1800 Thermostat housing though...

Post by **Cam** » Fri May 21, 2004 1:37 pm

They can be bought new from Mini places like Minisport and Minispares

Post by **MrA.Series** » Fri May 21, 2004 5:07 pm

rayofleamington wrote:Ital type connection

Are those the brass upright pointing stubs that screw into the same base as the older style brass taps? If so, I've got one on a spare engine instead of the normal brass tap.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri May 21, 2004 6:01 pm

Are those the brass upright pointing stubs that screw into the same base as the older style brass taps? If so, I've got one on a spare engine instead of the normal brass tap.

Yes they are Rob do you wish to part with it

Post by **MrA.Series** » Mon May 24, 2004 2:42 pm

You want one then? I've also got a near mint brass tap with a turning handle/wheel which is much larger than the ones normally found on minors and midgets, etc... It looks like a standard part that has been on the tap body since new. It's just bigger and nicer looking. Prefer a tap?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon May 24, 2004 3:20 pm

MrA.Series,
I'm looking for a nice old brass tap for my 58...

Post by **salty_monk** » Mon May 24, 2004 3:26 pm

Thought the tap in ours had seized last winter & was dubious to shove too hard.... seems to have loosened up in the warmer weather though & works perfectly now!!??!!

Post by **salty_monk** » Mon May 24, 2004 3:33 pm

Hmmm, so good the forum seems to have added it twice!! Sorry!

Post by **Kevin** » Mon May 24, 2004 3:53 pm

You want one then?

Yes Please Rob.
The Brass Tap however is not going to be of use as I am very short of room to fit it as the 1275cc engine where the tap goes is at an angle and does not leave much room.

Post by **MrA.Series** » Mon May 24, 2004 4:10 pm

Ray and Kev, I've only got one base which originally came with the tap. If anyone does have the stub off of me, they'll have to find a base for it. Neither of these items are brand new, but the tap has been kinda recon'd and works everso smoothly and shuts off the water flow dead. Looks quite shiney too, but the base has corroded like they always do. It (the tap) came off of an early '62/63 1098 DeLuxe. I havn't a clue why it's got a slightly larger wheel. The stubs condition is blatently used. I'll have to find them out when I go home after my exams (after the 11th June). PM me near then if you both still want the items.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon May 24, 2004 4:58 pm

OK negotiations at a later date then Rob

Post by **MrA.Series** » Fri May 28, 2004 8:45 pm

Kevin
By some mystical force I'm back home in Hemel for this weekend, so if you want I could take a little run out in Boris and drop the stub off to you if you still need it. It hasn't polished up well, but is in much better condition than I remeber it being in!

Ray
I've also dug out the tap with the odd large handle (instead of the normal cog style "wheel" it has a round spoked wheel much like a plumbing stop cock a doodle diddley), and even though the body has got quite a few indentations from casting and general wear, it is nice and shiney brass and the action is still very good and stops off the water dead. If you still want it, how shall I get it to you? I could try and take pictures of it first if you'd like.

Could either of you provide a blanking-off plate or a remote valve/tap in exchange to replace them as I'd like something on the spare engine to keep the muck out of it's waterways. Cheers guys.

Post by **MrA.Series** » Sat May 29, 2004 7:20 pm

Here they are guys:

Post by **turbominor** » Sat May 29, 2004 10:40 pm

i am using an ital style stub on my engine, with vw golf inline tap connected to a 1000 heater pull cable.

Post by **MrA.Series** » Sun May 30, 2004 10:08 am

The early Mk1 Golfs? Thats a good idea.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon May 31, 2004 11:12 pm

Rob sorry not to get back to you sooner I have been away for the weekend, I did not relise the stub screwed into the base unit and was thinking more of the one piece one as used on the marina/Ital and have not seen one like that before I wonder if its designed to do away with the brass tap and keep the heater on full time, sorry to be a pain but give me a day or two I can come up with a spare valve if needed cable type not sure about a blanking plate, how long are you around for ?

Post by **MrA.Series** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 9:22 am

No worries Kevin, no pain for me. Just thought it might have been handy with me at home save having to post it. Don't worry if you can't find anything to swap the stub with, I don't mind for the moment. I'll prob just nick a blanking plate off of a mini without a heater (Or make one. (A blanking plate I mean, not a heaterless mini!)). I've bought both items up to Cambs so can still post the stub to you. PM me your address or just tell me that you can wait and I can drop it off to oyu later in the month if you still want it.