Engine cooling valves

[Seapig100]

The intake ball valves for the raw water side of the cooling system on my 1969 45 sportfish are frozen open. I would like to know what the best way to address this is. Are they able to be rebuilt, can they be unfrozen, or is it time to replace them. I sprayed everything with penetrating oil today so with a bit of luck they should come out if need be. Thanks for any input you guys have Duncan.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I’ve had decent luck doing what you’ve done in the short term; it’ll take a good while. Plus I used a cheater pipe to gently move them—careful. Later I screwed zerk fittings in the drain plugs and shot with waterproof grease. That got them easily serviceable. Recently, I backfilled the hose with white vinegar. After an overnight soak I was blown away. These are now two finger valves. This on main seacocks that failed survey in 2015. Smooth as silk and they don’t leak either.

 

[krush]

Change the thread title to engine through-hull valves and more may reply.

Soaking it and working it over time should help. Like said above, vinegar or a slightly stronger acid may help too. Mine aren't original, so I can't comment on if they can be dissembled.

 

[kelpy]

If they are ball valves, toss them at next haulout and replace with proper seacocks. If they are in fact the original bronze seacocks, disassemble, clean, lightly lap, reclean, lube and reassemble at next haulout. Exercise the thru hulls every month.