The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Fuel tank valve (pre 54 gmc)

There is a valve at the bottom of the fuel tank that has a valve which leads the the fuel line. The tank side has a pipe thread and the fuel line has a flare nut connection. The hardware stores just shake their head at me unless I change everything and get rid of the flare nut joint.

Is there anyone that sells this part? Mine leaks.

I didn't have any trouble finding a replacement at the local Ace store.

The one in JC catalog looks like it has a compresson fitting on it, maybe that's what your thinking of Tiny???
The original ones had a inverted flare opposite the shutoff valve, the hardware store tee would have a pipe thread but you could always use a 1/4"npt to inverted flare adaptor. Or maybe that, was what your were thinking about Tiny???
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Shoot Denny, I've slept a few times since I was on my back under the 38 working on the tank valve. All I can tell you is mine was broken and I located a replacement at the local Ace store that fit both the tank and the fuel line without any adapters. It still has the fuel line it was born with. My assumption is they were the same but that may not be a valid assumption. I think I still have the original valve somewhere. If I find it I'll look more closely.

Denny,

What would say the sizes are of the two ends on the fitting (sorry if you already posted this but I cannot figure this out)?

flare angle needle valve
1. male NPT - size?
2. inverted flare (45 degree male) - size?

It looks like Eaton might have a 90 degree brass shut-off with the above ends (Dorman's looks like the one sold by JC).

Tim

I would think the old hardware stores, not the big boxes or a plumbing supply store would be able to fix you up. If that fails you could try Grainger 413 Granite Run Dr, Lancaster, PA 17601-6809 (717) 560-3630.

Not sure what your getting at Tim.
Here is the AD shut off/service valve.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/115771643
Grainger will not have any inverted flare anything, this is reserved for the automotive guys.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

These guys have inverted flare fittings. http://www.imperialinc.com/itmsrch.asp?SearchString=inverted+flare&x=10&y=5

Denny,

That is nothing like the Eaton fitting - sorry.

Tim

Here's the original valve from my 38.
You guys forcing me to think about what I did three years ago forced me to remember that I couldn't find a replacement valve and ended up putting an L exiting the tank instead of a shut off valve.

Right Ken, Imperial brass fittings are what most of the auto stores used to handle aroung these parts.

So Tim, where you finding Eaton fitting, I didn't see any mention of them, ya got me all corn fused with this here Eaton thing.

Tiny, that must have been the earlier style shutoff, bet the only place you'll find one like that is in the bottom of another '38 fuel tank.
That and the ones used on the AD's were probably specialy made for GM so an exact replacement wouldn't be in any Eaton, Imperial, or Dorman stock catalogs.

Denny Graham
Sandwick, IL

Eaton must have made brass fittings at one time. I have a lot of stuff that I bought at trucking company bankruptcy auctions. I noticed just last week I have a bunch of brass 3/8 pipe plugs with an Allen head in an Eaton bag. I'm not sure that they ever sold them at retail, but these bags are not that old looking and have a hole for a pegboard hook. I have no clue where I got them.

Denny,

I knew I would pique your interest:

Eaton Catologs - download the Brass Products Mater Catalog (7 MB) - NAPA can supply all Eaton Brass items in the catalog

Dorman Catalogs - download Section 7 (560 KB), Brass Fittings, Brake Line Fittings, Radiator Drain Cocks, Air Brake Fittings, and Vacuum Connectors

Imperial Brass, Ltd, Canada - no catalog?

Tim

Yepper, ya had me wondering fo sho! Weatherhead! Now that’s a name that I recognize. Eaton must have bought them at some time in the past, Weatherhead was a name I remember that stood by itself when I was younger.
Glad to have the link to the Dorman catalog also, thanks.
DG