Seacocks on Albin 36

[edduffy]

I recently purchased an Albin 36 built in 1978. The Seacocks are bronze and have the handle on the side. How do I take these apart to grease them and also what type of grease do you recommend?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Ed

[Pitou]

I don't know about taking them apart, but the way I maintain seacocks is to spray the handle where it connects to the ball valve with a lubricant and exercise it moving it back and forth while possibly spraying again while you continue to move the handle back and forth. If and when on the hard as well spray up through the strainers first with the valve closed and do the same. Best to have a second pair of hands for this one.

I use Aerokroil by KanoLabs or use a similar product called PowerBlaster or whatever is handy ...... CorroisionX, WD, etc. I prefer the heavier duty products for this job, but the key is to lubricate and exercise.

[Mariner]

Usually seacocks lubricate with seawater. Simply opening and closing them on a regular basis will improve their action. If they are frozen, about all you can do is replace them, to my knowledge.

[edduffy]

Thanks everybody for responding. I did some additional searchs and came up with a company called Spartan Marine. They sell seacock lapping compound and grease. They also have a seacock Maintenance page which was helpful.

I am going to take the seacocks apart on my boat next week and will let you all know what I find.

Thanks,

Ed

Just a quick update. There is a nut on the left hand side of the seacock. I removed the nut and tapped the threads with a rubber mallet and the seacock was able to disassembled. I used the compound and grease, re-assembled the seacocks and they now work smoothly with no leaks.

Thanks,

ED