rebuild fuel selector valve

[DrDave]

I just went through this. The issue of leaking past the valve is from the little balls not sealing on the seats. The selector valve has a small well in it that can collect water. I think this contributes to the problem. The ball is held against the seat with a spring that is likely rusted. There will also be some rust on the seat that is causing your leak-past. You can remove the valve and see the ball/seat assembly. Don't remove the little clips that hold in the spring. They seem to be impossible to find. If a replacement clip/retainer was available this project would be pretty easy. I was only able to find one guy that was willing to look at them. He wanted a fortune and was a bit on the grumpy side.

I had one guy that thought removing the spring and ball and re-cutting the seat was the answer. I sent him one of my valves. It just sat on his desk for two months. On close inspection the seat was not pitted it appears to have surface rust that would likely clean up.

I think an ultrasonic cleaner would be a good start.

I found a pair of used valves that were not leaking.

Dave