The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '49 Fuel Valve

My '49 1/2-ton Chevy has a manually operated fuel shut-off valve installed on the bottom of the fuel tank, under the cab. Is this valve standard equipment for an AD truck?? I don't see these valves available on e-Bay or from parts vendors. What is the purpose of this valve? Any idea where I can get a new or re-built valve?

Both of my AD trucks have (or had) this valve ('51 1/2 ton, and '50 COE) as well as my '42 1/2 ton. Unless you want to take a bath in gasoline, they are necessary to replace the fuel pump and are handy if you install an aftermarket fuel filter and want to change it. Fifty or sixty year old brass valves can leak once you start to open and shut them, so I have had to replace them. I too, have not seen genuine NOS valves for sale, but my local NAPA has no trouble finding an appropriate replacement with the correct fittings. I figure a leak free situation at the bottom of my fuel tank is not worth fretting over originality.

I agree a simple new brass ball valve should fix ya up toot sweet ..an NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW.

You can't compromise on safety. Fuel leaks are a pain or at worst downright lethal!
I'd rather lose a bit of originality than lose the whole truck or worse!!
Wise words ....Lightholder and SW!

If my memory is correct, those trucks had the shut-off valve as original equipment. I don't remember when they were no longer used, probably when gas tanks were moved from behind the seat. But even with those valves, normal shop practice when changing a fuel pump was to cap the line and not bother with the shut-off valve. You lost a few ounces of fuel that way, but if you were quick with your wrenches, your finger and capping the line, it was barely a couple of ounces lost. And you didn't have to remember to turn on the valve when finished.

Harvester

Any auto parts store should have them. Ask for an 1/8" NPT Petcock and you should be set.

Jeff

I like them. It makes it easy to pull gas out of your tank- close the valve, crack the line, dump it into a can, reverse the process and put it right back together.

Plus, you can use it as a deterrent to unauthorized drivers.

It also makes it easy to pull the tank out of the cab without dripping gas all over your seat.

Where exactly is this valve? I haven't ever seen it, so it may have been removed from mine or was never on it.

here's a pic of the one on my wifes '50 model

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/1/web/1969000-1969999/1969206_138_full.jpg

Yep, mines gone, probably got eliminated when the po put on another rubber hose from the sending unit to the fuel line.

I have one on my 51 3800 and could not find a reasonable replacement. I soaked it in some Marine Clean (Por15) and took it apart. There are no rubber parts, so it is completely rebuildable, and the 3/8 tube from the tank to the valve is available at Lowe's. It now looks great and works fine.

It is brass, and you're right about the size. It was originally 2 1/4 long, the best replacement I found was 2 inches. If it hasn't broken already, be careful when you turn it out. If it does break, I have advice on that too.

jdd,

My guess is that your is gone because I think a shut off and connector tee was not used in 1954. But, that does not mean that a shut-off is not a good idea.

Tim

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_57chevyparts/57cmpc0265.htm