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There are a couple of things I think should be mentioned that are not discussed above:
1. The 1/8" gap created by converting the black valve to stainless steel is too wide to simply be pulled closed by the 9 cover screws on the gray valve. You need to use a "come-along," like the longest Sears screw driver (what else is that one ever used for?). Some slight wiggling of the cover body while applying some force with the come-along will move it sufficiently.
2. Putting in the gasket might be done more easily if the gasket is put in place on the main valve body and the small nails inserted in the same direction as the screws would be eventually. If the nail heads are smaller than the screw threads, but larger than the pre-punched holes in the gasket, they would remain in place until the two halves are mated, but you could then push them out through the screw holes in the cover.
3. Converting to the stainless steel cover has the down side that the seal is part of the cover plate, so any future repair means a new cover plate--slightly more expensive. On the other hand, does anyone outlast a new seal? Although the Sovereign sat idle for 25 years, it was much used the first 5 years or so and even a completely dry 25 years didn't prevent the black valve from functioning.
Zep
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