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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Heater Valve on E-bay

I saw this heater valve on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MGA-MGB-Heater-Water-Control-Valve-NEW-IMPROVED-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2ea3a10e93QQitemZ200313736851QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Seller is saying that the mechanism has been improved. Wondering if anyone has tried this valve?
Bruce Cunha

Bruce. I have been using Bob Muenchausen's modified heater control valve, on four vehicles, for a number of years. Unless you feel that having the ability to control the water flow through the heater from the passenger compartment is necessary, Bob's conversion is outstanding. For my use, the ability to turn the flow completely off (most of the current "OEM style" valves allow some flow even in the off position) in the summer heat is a great thing. In winter, turning the valve fully on and leaving it that way works well for me. Something to consider.

Les
Les Bengtson

Hi,

There are other mods out there, using basically Bob's idea, but with the heater control cable connected, so that the valve can be controlled from inside.

Herb
Herb Adler

Does the mini have the same outlet on the head as a B? If so would this work?

ttp://www.minimania.com/web/Item/12A479/InvDetail.cfm
Steven 67GT

here's the complete link:

http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/12A479/InvDetail.cfm
Steven 67GT

I thought of Bob's solution when I noted that my current valve had started to have a drip. My 67 is no 100 point concourse car, but I like keeping it stock.

Just wondered if anyone had tried this particular aftermarket replacement. I will go ahead and order one and then see how it goes.
Bruce Cunha

What is Bob's solution?
Dave O'Neill 2

Bob's pages: http://www.britishcarforum.com/bobmuenchausen/12272.html
J Tait

I made one for my GT, and it's great! Cost about $10 for parts.
don g

Here's a pic.


don g

It's essentially a gate valve, a stainless steel ball that rides inside a Teflon lined housing. RAY
rjm RAY

Yep, I have the same on mine. A simple quarter turn ball valve. I've found that the heater seems to work as a strictly binary device anyway. It's either on or off! If you get the eBay one let us know how it works out.
Simon Jansen

if you dont get the ebay one, I can make you one. donsmidget at yahoo dot com
don g

I basically did the same as don g, but put the little ball valve at the other end, near the heater core inlet. It's a quarter turn either on or off - mo muss, no fuss, no leaks.


Bernie Lowe

Bernie- what did you do for the connection to the block- did you keep the original in place in the "on" position? Mine was leaking so I had to take it off.
don g

Don - For the life of me I can't remember where I got the base part that bolts onto the block. It was definitely from an online vendor. It's obviously the correct size to bolt right on, but jeez I just can't recall who the vendor was. Here's a pic of the whole thing, but the end that you're asking about is masked by one of the a/c lines, so you can't see the block connection clearly.


Bernie Lowe

Correction don. Searching through my papers, I found the guy I bought the heater flange from:

Brian Clough

bclough@banksofthesusquehanna.com
Bernie Lowe

I replaced the original valve with an in line unit as per RV8. It has a full 12mm bore when open AND is still connected to the dash control knob.
Allan Reeling

Allan:

The RV8 type inline valve is pretty common on US vehicles though I haven't found one with 1/2" connections yet. Where did you get yours from?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-E-F-SERIES-BRONCO-HEATER-VALVE-C3UZ18495A-/310234390594?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item483b692042
Steven 67GT

Kinda funny how the valve started leaking on the wifes car 5 years ago and I replaced it with one from Moss. It still is working perfect and no leaks! Luck? Maybe so. I do know when the engine was rebuilt, it was cooked in a tank to remove all foreign matter out of the cooling cavities so everything is clean in there. Might be why the valve is holding up so well as no bits and pieces are floating around in there to get caught in the diaphragm. Hope we can get another 5 out of it. PJ
P Jennings

Bits floating round in the coolant don't cause leaks by themselves, the diaphragm has to be holed or split.
PaulH Solihull

Steve,
I "acquired" it and can't remember it's origin. It was probably another BL product! I had to modify it somewhat and make an off-take for the block, but it has given no trouble for the last 3+ years.
Allan Reeling

Perhaps you got the ready made flange from this fellow?? http://www.pembrokeparts.com/PHF.htm
Robert Muenchausen

Most folks have the base from their defunct heater valve that they could use if they desired. It works, and altho I have been told it has a "Steampunk" look to it, like something from Capt. Nemo's time, it has performed faithfully for over a dozen years, so I guess you cannot knock that sort of success.

However, I admit that it will never win concours points, even if it will keep coolant out of your distributor. I have suggested that someone could think outside the box about the OE Smith's valve's internals and replace them with something about as bullet proof as a stainless ball valve, but I have a hunch that it is going to be hard to get over that conundrum of having to look OE also having to BE exactly like OE inside and out. I am not convinced that the OE valve was/is something to emulate at this point in time when even cheap plastic heater valves out perform these on modern cars.
Robert Muenchausen

Bob - very likely that was the guy I got the flange from. It is definitely the one I bought and attached. Works great.
Bernie Lowe

Tracked down the heater valve.....sold by Stafford Vehicle Components.
Allan Reeling

Bruce,

Did you ever get the heater valve from E-Bay and if so, were you satisfied with the results? I need to replace the valve on my 73 roadster to get the heater running for a trip to Mendocino in February.

Steve K.
SKellogg

Bruce, You won't need a functioning heater in Mendocino county. It's always sunny and warm, it hardly ever even rains. I haven't seen my car for 2 months now. I think it's outside in the garage, but everything's so soggy I can barely go outside to look at it. And Caltrans has done such a wonderful job maintaining our roads that I doubt that I would even want to take the car out for a drive. RAY
rjm RAY

Have not purchased it yet. Won't be able to give a good report until sometime in the summer.

Ray. That is a beautiful part of Calif. With the current state of the State finances, I can bet that CALTRANS is right on top of all the road issues.

While the rain may be keeping your cars in the garage, it is needed. Bet the reservoirs are filling nicely.

Bruce
Bruce Cunha

So's my back yard! It's turning into a lake. Maybe I should sell the B and buy a boat. RAY
rjm RAY

Ray,
my old man used to say that when your yard filled up like a lake from rain or irrigation, it was an indication that the soil had never truly settled since it had been leveled for the house. I don't know if that is what is true in your case, but it might be a good indicator of some yard work to come?
Robert Muenchausen

This whole area was, and still is in many parts, a swamp. We added 2 ponds and a drainage ditch through the property, but when we get torrential rains the area starts to revert back to Nature's design. RAY
rjm RAY

This thread was discussed between 24/11/2010 and 04/01/2011

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