Heater Thermal Valve Replacement

[WCraigH]

During my visit to Paul's in Las Vegas today, Paul showed me his solution for the leak-prone standard heater valve (see Plate 29E in Parts book):

444644 Thermal Valve

The leak occurs at the arrow point, all over your carpet! Paul tested 4 used ones he had on hand an they all leaked. So, he slightly modified a fuel tank ball valve off a truck. There's no "thermal" control, just mechanical, but on the other hand that valve will probably last more than 50 years:

Valve installed on Passenger inside firewall

From the firewall side, it looks stock:

Firewall heater hose connection

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Looks like a great fix. I'm not familiar with the truck fuel tank ball valve but since it is obviously designed for fuel application and not water then what is the life expectancy due to rust?????

[WCraigH]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like a great fix. I'm not familiar with the truck fuel tank ball valve but since it is obviously designed for fuel application and not water then what is the life expectancy due to rust????? </div></div>

Great question! What's the life expectancy of the original design? Not very good, it appears. Because of it's "ball" (and brass) design rather than the original "plunger & seal" (alum & rubber?) design, I'd have to agree with Paul's assessment: "ball valves don't ever leak!" Only 50 years from now will we know for sure, but I'm inclinded to believe Paul's expectation. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Craig, you're absolutly right. The production heater valves are cheap flimsy junk. They are also proned to not shutting off completely which makes for a real hot weather comfort problem. Mine after 7 years of use showns no sign of leaking but it does not shut off completely and it looks like new. I put a regular houshold type plumbing valve (brass) in the heater hose line under the hood at a convenient location so i can turn off the flow in the early spring and turn it on late fall.

[FRANKL]

this design looks much better. i need to replace the one on my 1949 and the view of the old unit looks similar. the firewall connection view of the new one looked much different. do you know who he got it from and the part #

thanks

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

I dug out a similar ball gate valve with 1/2 NPT female each end. (see attachment.) I've had these for several years but never new what their original application was for. I've only seen them used on special build or racing vehicles. The ball inside of the brass housing is STAINLESS steel. I've never schecked at a local hardware store these but i assume they sell them. Brass + stainless = $$$$$. So it is probably safe to assume that truck valve that Paul used has a SS ball in it too.

[Guest imported_Packards1]

Mine is the original one put in the car by Packard. If only 50 years of service is flimsy junk then so be it.

[Guest Randy Berger]

Yo are correct on both counts Brian. Many vehicles used the Ranco valves and there was someone advertising in Hemmings that he could rebuild them. Joel's statement also seems appropriate as I beliecve mine is original to the car as I've owned it since 1972.

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

True. For all i know the ranco in my Executive is probably original 56 production too. And 50 years is a pretty good track record for something designed for production purposes. NONETHELESS, i do not see how the original stamped sheet metal and Al. design could ever compare in rigor to a heavy brass and SS unit. Altho i'm not impressed with any thermostat control built into the ranco valves it would be interesting to see the Ranco thermostat or someother type of thermostat adapted to the ball valve for those who think they have to have the thermostat control.

The idea behind the valve of which i attached a pic is to mount it EXTERNALY and let the stem pierce thru one of the original Ranco holes to the interior to attach the control cable. That would keep all coolant to the OUTSIDE of the car.