[Steam-engine] Gauge glass valves

[Orrin Iseminger]

I haven't repaired plug valves used in steam service, but have been
successful using grinding paste on ones used as gasoline shutoff valves.  

IMHO, grinding compound used to seat  the valves in IC engines would be too
coarse.  I used 800 grit, only because that was the only thing I had finer
than 180.  I'd guess that anything finer than 400 would work fine.  

I like to use strong detergent, hot water and a stiff bristle brush for
cleaning up afterwards.  So far, I've not been bothered with the abrasive
getting embedded in the metal.  

If your friends valves have been leaking for a long time, they may be "cut"
and lapping might not work.  

I like to put some really stiff Dow-Corning silicone compound on the plug
when reassembling.  Not only does it facilitate easier operation, it helps
seal against leaks.  

Orrin

Orrin Iseminger
Colton, Washington, USA
http://users.moscow.com/oiseming/lc_ant_p/index.htm
So many projects.  So little time.   

-----Original Message-----
From: steam-engine-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com
[mailto:steam-engine-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com] On Behalf Of
Richard Selway
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 2:18 PM
To: Steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com
Subject: [Steam-engine] Gauge glass valves

Hi folks,

Would just like to get everybody's opinion on bedding in a couple of valves 
that leak constantly on a gauge glass set up on a friends traction engine.

I've applied engineer's blue and there are a number of scores on the tapered

plug and seat. I don't think they justify setting up the valve bodies and 
plugs on a lathe and re-machining the seats (which is a job I don't really 
fancy if i'm honest!) Somebody mentioned using grinding past, but would this

not bed itself into the valve surfaces permanently and constanly be 
re-cutting?


Any advice would be gratefully received.

All the best,

Rich