Blake's Seacock Maintenance

[phantomracer]

will epoxy stick to bronze? Good idea, if it works. Maybe call West systems, et al, for advice?

[charlie.magen]

Originally Posted by Tynesider

Hello Phantomracer
To service the blakes sea valves is not rocket science. ...

Hi everybody,

time goes by... and still this is very interesting for me, thanks for the tipps for maintenance.
@Tynesnider: As far as I can see in the g..gle-image-search, at least one of your pictures shows the old version of the Seacock without grease nipple, but it is not available here in large size any more nor is there a drawing of these old one at Blakes' site.
Could you send them once again, please? Would help me a lot to get an idea of what to be done!

Thank you
Charlie

[Tynesider]

Originally Posted by charlie.magen

Hi everybody,

time goes by... and still this is very interesting for me, thanks for the tipps for maintenance.
@Tynesnider: As far as I can see in the g..gle-image-search, at least one of your pictures shows the old version of the Seacock without grease nipple, but it is not available here in large size any more nor is there a drawing of these old one at Blakes' site.
Could you send them once again, please? Would help me a lot to get an idea of what to be done!

Thank you
Charlie

Hi Charlie

See here mate:
Blakes Seacock 1.5 inch - Complete (inc UK del)

and

Blakes Seacock 0.75 inch - Complete (inc UK del)

Hope this helps you

Mike

[charlie.magen]

Hi Mike,

thank you - but these are the new ones including the grease nipple. Mine are without - the old version.

Charlie

[Tynesider]

Hi Charlie

Yes my own are at least 24 years old (original with boat) and do not have the latest grease nipples, I have found by using the Blakes grease I only need to service them every two years min.

However I also find that the secret of keeping them active is to use them weekly or at least turn the valves.

I also use a household bathroom cleaner once a month to keep the toilet clean but more important I never have any smells!.

Hope this helps
Mike

[charlie.magen]

Great, thank you a million times! Looks like new, almost! Mine are even 36 years old and still are sticking if not used for weeks.

Good luck!
Charlie

[Tynesider]

Originally Posted by charlie.magen

Great, thank you a million times! Looks like new, almost! Mine are even 36 years old and still are sticking if not used for weeks.

Good luck!
Charlie

Hi Charlie

Are you using the 'Blakes' own grease?? not cheap but very good so far.

[charlie.magen]

No, but I am going to order it. Hope it will resist brackish Baltic water...
But I am afraid they were not greased since years - not loosing a drop though!

Thanks again
Charlie

[kimtrang]

I have 2 Blakes seacocks on my US sourced 55 year boat that I'm working on the hard. No idea show old they are. The bronze looks ok to me and the valves open and close freely. Do these have a lifespan due to wasting from electrolysis etc?

[Markhunter1097]

You need the correct lapping compound for the metal, don't just use the first one you find, as it could be wrong.

[Markhunter1097]

All you need is here
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/t..._cone_seacocks

[phantomracer]

stumbled upon this post I started back in 2010. figured I would update it.

Learned a lot since 2010 servicing the seacocks. Have tried a few different greases.

I DID finally order Blakes grease when I placed an order for parts for the Blake's Baby head that is in the boat.

Wow. This stuff works! Got 2 seasons on one seacock (that gets used the most). Upon removal, there was still grease in there. Looked like it was just serviced! Yes I did clean everything and regrease it. But was amazed how good it looked compared to the other greases I have tried.

The other seacock, still operated smooth as silk.. will be going into it's 3rd season on that grease.

The Lewmar grease barely lasted a season. Used that for a few years. Tried another brand (forgot which) and was a bit better than the Lewmar grease ,but not much.

I may try Spartan grease at some point. But So far I am pleasantly surprised how good the Blake's grease is.

[ggray]

One thing you mentioned in your earlier post which I haven't seen addressed (except it is in the pbase link mentioned) is lapping the valves back and forth, but I've read that it should be rotated one direction only, cleaned and if necessary lapped rotating the opposite direction.

Kind of a fun job.

[phantomracer]

Originally Posted by ggray

One thing you mentioned in your earlier post which I haven't seen addressed (except it is in the pbase link mentioned) is lapping the valves back and forth, but I've read that it should be rotated one direction only, cleaned and if necessary lapped rotating the opposite direction.

Kind of a fun job.

I didnt have to grind them, mine looked great. But yes the procedure in the link is correct, one direction only, clean and if needed go the other way

[phantomracer]

the website has also been updated, and the url is https://marinehowto.com/ https://marinehowto.com/servicing-ta...cone-seacocks/