Faucet Rebuild 66 Overlander

[Ganglin]

Delete this post please....

[Ganglin]

Had hoped the original would be deleted as the photos didn't attach. Will try again.

Rebuilding faucets for a fellow Forum Member and thought some pics and comments may help someone else. Here is what we started with - corroded and some rust - soap/lime build up - leaking around the stems on all and around the swivel base on the kitchen sink faucet:

[Ganglin]

Started with the shower. Soaked all in Easy Off Bam and rubbed the body down with a coarse dish pan scrubber. Brushed all other parts with a BRASS detailing brush (auto parts store) to keep from scratching any of the parts. The bottom flat washer is a number 0 or 00 - if you use 00 you have to tuck the outer edges into the seat as you put the screw in - but it makes a nice tight fit. The 'O' ring is a number 8. The only part not found yet is a thin plastic washer that goes up over the threads on the stem head - it seals between the bottom of the seat and the faucet body. Will have to search older hardware stores to come up with that.

Here is the shower faucet in its (nearly) completed state.

[Ganglin]

This one is done. Found the plastic ring at an old hardware store. Believe you can see the placement below the handle between the stem nut and the body. One is lying on the table - notice it's yellowed from sitting in the hardware store for who knows how many years. This facet is an Empire brand made in Cleveland Ohio. Finished it off with a coat of Liquid Glass to help retard soap/lime build up.

[Ganglin]

This is the bath sink faucet. It appears to be the worst of the group of three. Pitting in the chrome - heavy lime/soap build up and rust film from the two large washers that were used to balance/level the unit on the sink surface.

This unit is a Harcraft. Limited parts are still out there but the company is apparently out of business. Interesting note - found out that Empire (mentioned above) is actually still in business. Since 1903 in Cleveland and still making RV faucets.

The stems on this one have two "O" rings and a small plastic ring at the bottom of the stem - odd set-up. Presume the plastic ring serves the same purpose as the top ring on the Empire above. There are two small screws that show heavy rust that worry me (not shown but under the center of the faucet). They hold down the the faucet spout - not sure those can be taken out without tapping them. Spout is not leaking so we will see. This unit also had a ring in the back and chain to hold a sink plug. Will see if we can replace that also.

[Ganglin]

Here is this one in a cleaned format. The same cleaning as above with Easy Off Bam but doing that left black marks on the chrome. That was removed with Met-All polish. The screws mentioned above were not removed. Roughed them up with the brass detailing brush and sprayed them down with Krud Kutter rust inhibitor. Coated them with clear acrylic nail polish to prevent further rusting.

The "O" rings on this one are #41's and the flat washers are '00's. The gasket is cut from Rubber-Fiber Gasket from an auto parts store. The large washers were not to be found in the exact same size. Note the inner hole is larger than the shaft but the replacements still fit the frame and will balance the unit as the originals did.

[Ganglin]

This one is done. The body is still a little rough but with a coat of Liquid Glass it looks better. Was able to find the ring and chain to hold a stopper. Has a life of at least 10 more years. Vintage is Kewl.

[bobchevy89]

Hi, nice details of cleaning up old faucets.pictures have done a wonderful job.execellent article. thanks for posting.gives me encouragement to do mine. Again thanks..
Bob

[jesus mike]

Ganglin is a hero!
I am very surprised how nice these are coming out. This kind of detail and step by step directions is awesome. Thank you very much for all the help. This is much more than i expected. I am really excited about this. Thanks.
j.m.

[Ganglin]

In case you haven't guessed - these faucets belong to Mike above. I think he seems to appreciate the effort but - hasn't gotten my bill yet .

Just kidding Mike.... your still under $20.00 in parts.

Amazing how well these have come back - built when stuff was made to last and actually be repaired.

[Ganglin]

Here is the galley faucet before repair and cleaning. Stems look like they will be no problem. However, not sure about the spout gaskets. The owner took out the gaskets so not sure how they go back in. Will do some research on that. Also, this model would have had a spray nozzle on the spout. Will see if we can replace that also.

[Ganglin]

Cleaned and ready to be reassembled. This is a Harcraft also - so the stem O rings were the same #41's and the flat washers are '00's. The O ring on the center spout insert is a 15/16 x 3/4 x 3/32.

[clancy_boy]

This is some great work and the documentation is excellant. Thank You. Karma your way.

Mike

[Ganglin]

Here is this one - so far. The large brass stem in the center screws into the spout base first. Found a diagram for a similar unit (thank you Gahanna Hardware) and it Did Not show any gasket between these parts. I find that unusual as the parts can only be hand tightened, will go with a single strip of teflon tape on the threads (probably overkill). Adding a #49 cap thread gasket between the spout hole and the stem top - the white ring in the photo.

Looking into the base of the faucet maybe you can see that the bottom is not shiny - as if the stem bottom rode on the surface. First thought was to add the grey gasket in the bottom as a cushion.

I'm going to leave this one out but send it to the owner just in case. Looking into the stem hole I can see the O ring grove worn in from years of use. Adding the gasket would move the O ring out of that natural grove.

The tube of gasket lube you see is a reminder to add this to any O rings that you install. I helps them seat and will add years of life as it does not break down in temps. under 350 degrees.

[jesus mike]

These are really coming out great! Good info on the o-ring lube too. I would not have known to do that. Thanks again and ill talk to you soon.
Happy new year,
J.M.