Problem with Tapered Cone Seacock by Wilcox-Crittenden

[BioAndy]

Hello all. I'm going through all the Wilcox-Crittenden seacocks and thu-hulls on my recently acquired 1976 Pearson 365, and I have a dilemma with one of them. I've probably read everything there is to read on the internet about refurbishing these tapered cone seacocks, but haven't seen anything that addresses my particular problem. Hopefully, somebody can comment. All the other seacocks have been cleaned, lapped with grinding compound, greased and reinstalled with no problem.

The problem I'm having with one of them is that upon reassembly, the cone seems to protrude through the housing so much so, that the narrow end actually protrudes past the seacock housing, so that the flat thrust washer bottoms-out on the end of the cone before the cone is snug in the housing, preventing the cone from being drawn in to the housing. The adjusting nut should pull the cone through the housing as the flat washer bears on the housing, but the cone is already protruding past the end of the housing.There is just too much play between the cone and housing to make a proper seal.

The seacock seemed to operate fine with no apparent leaks before disassembly. I can't imagine that I lapped so much material off that I created a sloppy fit. None of the other seacocks’ tapered cone plugs protrude past the housing (on the narrow end). Thought I'd see if anybody had a comment before I replace the entire seacock. Thanks for all comments.

Here's a photo of what I'm trying to describe.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/bioandy/media/Wilcox-Crittenden%20Seacocks/compareseacockplugs_zpsc4c1ba82.jpg.html#/user/bioandy/media/Wilcox-Crittenden%20Seacocks/compareseacockplugs_zpsc4c1ba82.jpg.html?&_suid=136580507228102213356603514754

Andy

 

[Chris Patterson]

Andy, I could be wrong, but from what I'm seeing, and prior experience with these valves as well, I'm thinking that yes indeed, too much was lapped off of the valve. From an engineering standpoint of view, it really wouldn't take much to grind off enough of the valve to make it do that. Unless you can shim up the washer, or grind off the "end" of the cone, it might be done for.

 

[Maine Sail]

It is usually an issue os mixing up valves/cones. You would need to do an awful lot of grinding to change it that much..

 

[kloudie1]

Having messed with lots of plug valves, I agree with Maine..Open the others and find the one that is sitting the lowest in the housing (smallest plug) that will probably be the one ya need to exchange.. lapping produces a unique fit for each valve so it is critical to get the plugs back to the same bodies. ya may have to re-lap those two.. Good luck !

 

[BioAndy]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I confirmed that too much valve material was lapped off rather than mixing up valves, as I only worked on one at a time. Since posting my question, I did one more valve and was very concious of how far the cone was recessed in the body before dismantling. After cleaning and lapping, which I felt was not overly aggressive, I created the same problem with this valve as the original post.

Not knowing the history of my seacock maintenance from previous owners, I can only assume that my valves were on their "last lap."

I'll investigate the mods suggested by Chris as this was also my thought process.

Thanks for all the comments.

Andy

 

[Maine Sail]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I confirmed that too much valve material was lapped off rather than mixing up valves, as I only worked on one at a time. Since posting my question, I did one more valve and was very concious of how far the cone was recessed in the body before dismantling. After cleaning and lapping, which I felt was not overly aggressive, I created the same problem with this valve as the original post.

Not knowing the history of my seacock maintenance from previous owners, I can only assume that my valves were on their "last lap."

I'll investigate the mods suggested by Chris as this was also my thought process.

Thanks for all the comments.

Andy

If they are wearing that fast during lapping they are likely suffering from dezincification or your valve grinding compound is too aggressive.. I have taken 50-70 turns on some valves that had bad scoring and still not had an issue. Perhaps a previous owner lapped them too often?

The picture does seem to show a pinkish hue in areas which may mean they have become dezincified.

 

[kloudie1]

My mistake.. I thought I was looking at the big end.. I understand now.