Moliver Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Hi there, I have just fitted the org fuel tap to my TR which was missing as I wanted to improve the filter glass removal process. With the tank just filled with one gallon, I do have a slight leaking on the top of the tap. I will exchange the cork seal in the next step but am wondering if it is really possible to get this tap type tight at all...? Any recommendations or alternative tap recommendations? Input welcome! Cheers Oliver Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph Whitaker Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 You may find that the corks have dried out and will swell up slightly which may stop the leak on its own. Ralph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Forey Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Hi Oliver, Start by tightening the adjuster on the end of the tap to squeeze the cork seal. Slacken the locknut and turn the small slotted screw clockwise. Only do this is small amounts, half a turn at a time, then check if it is still leaking. This usually does the job. Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 20 minutes ago, Mick Forey said: Hi Oliver, Start by tightening the adjuster on the end of the tap to squeeze the cork seal. Slacken the locknut and turn the small slotted screw clockwise. Only do this is small amounts, half a turn at a time, then check if it is still leaking. This usually does the job. Mick Adjusting screw should be turned anti clockwise to tighten the cork and the lock not must be retightened before operating the tap or you undo all the adjustment. I think the lock nut is a BA size. Peter W Have you read this article? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 In 2013 I modified my fuel tap by throwing away the cork, & replacing it with a short section of fuel tubing. As with the cork, you can squeeze it with the adjuster nut till it seals nicely. I had not touched it in till November when I started my engine rebuild. It turned off properly, did not leak, & turned on again when all was back together, & still does not leak. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Funnily enough, my brother, who owned a really tatty TR3 at the time, wrote a short piece for Newsletter 17 in Spring 1974. Peter took the cheap short-term solution to a leak: a length of flexible tubing. Triumph, in its wisdom, deleted the petrol tap on the TR4. However, with up to 18 gallons of expense juice sitting in the back of my car, any work on the petrol pump presents a problem! Hence, I installed a modern petrol tap in the usual position. Proper modern petrol taps do not leak - it's important to ensure that any tap is for PETROL. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c.hydes Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 53 minutes ago, ianc said: Funnily enough, my brother, who owned a really tatty TR3 at the time, wrote a short piece for Newsletter 17 in Spring 1974. Peter took the cheap short-term solution to a leak: a length of flexible tubing. Triumph, in its wisdom, deleted the petrol tap on the TR4. However, with up to 18 gallons of expense juice sitting in the back of my car, any work on the petrol pump presents a problem! Hence, I installed a modern petrol tap in the usual position. Proper modern petrol taps do not leak - it's important to ensure that any tap is for PETROL. Ian Cornish Hi Ian can you share details of the tap you acquired. Regards Colin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
qkingston Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 FWIW I just bought one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-In-Line-Fuel-Tap-Safety-Shut-Off-Cut-Off-Valve-M8-8mm/162609302765?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Rgds David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted January 18, 2021 Report Share Posted January 18, 2021 Colin - I bought from Revington on 22/07/97. There's no part number on the invoice, but I guess I was the first to ask for this and Neil thought it a good idea. On his website one can find tap with with connection to two different sizes of fuel pipe, and either plain or braided hose to the pump. I have the braided hose. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikej Posted January 18, 2021 Report Share Posted January 18, 2021 In my limited experience, the Ewarts (motor cycle tap) is liable to leaks when you most don't need one. A French hotel car park in my case, when there is little you can do about it. If the cork is good then an unused tap may eventually seal but as Basil once said about fire extinguishers, It just sits there .... and when you actually need the thing... A non leaking tap, unused for several years will almost certainly leak when used, even if still in petrol. Mods to solve this include: Replace the mushroom shaped brass seal adjusting screw with a stainless one. These can have a longer threaded portion be tightened without fear of the ears braking off. Never did find out what the thread should be so re-tapped to 2BA. As Bob, use some suitable fuel pipe to replace the cork. In fact, I'd never use cork as it wears away every time the tap is operated and new-old stock items are worthless. Non need to chuck the Ewarts, it just needs updating! MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted January 18, 2021 Report Share Posted January 18, 2021 (edited) any use ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-LINE-FUEL-TAP-STAINLESS-BRASS-TO-8mm-ID-PIPE-autograss-rally-race/293714355430 Peter W Sorry Duplicate info. Edited January 18, 2021 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted January 18, 2021 Report Share Posted January 18, 2021 Just now, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: any use ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-LINE-FUEL-TAP-STAINLESS-BRASS-TO-8mm-ID-PIPE-autograss-rally-race/293714355430 Peter W Direct link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-LINE-FUEL-TAP-STAINLESS-BRASS-TO-8mm-ID-PIPE-autograss-rally-race/293714355430 Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike ellis Posted January 18, 2021 Report Share Posted January 18, 2021 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 (edited) This tap was brought to me for repair as “leaks like a sieve and will not stop leaking even if the cork adjustment is tightened.” We can see why. I have replaced the cork with my brass bobbin and ‘o’ rings modification. Edited April 9, 2021 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 Nice job Peter. My modification of substituting a short length of fuel pipe (of an appropriate diameter)for the cork is still working well after 7 years so will stick with it till it fails. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 I gave up on this tap years ago. I took it on to the workbench and soldered it open. It has never leaked and I had forgotten about it until now. Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Richardtr3a said: I gave up on this tap years ago. I took it on to the workbench and soldered it open. It has never leaked and I had forgotten about it until now. Richard & B Yes that has been the fate of many of these taps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 But once soldered open, what do you do when you have a tank full of expensive petrol and you want to work on the petrol pump? Dutch boy with finger in dyke? Not available owing to current restrictions - he would have to self-isolate for a fortnight. The reason that I fitted a tap to my TR4, an item which Triumph in its wisdom had chosen to omit from TR3A onwards, was so that I would be able to isolate the tank. And having had to replace the seals in the pump, I'm very glad that I did so. Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 (edited) And another thing......... the inlet and outlet holes in the original petrol tap is bored 3/16”. The pipe that feeds it and delivers to the pump is 5/16”. od. I have bored the inlet and outlet to 9/32” to increase fuel flow and still provide a stop for the pipes. Peter W Edited April 17, 2021 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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