1982 Newport valves

[Capt Andy]

I was looking at a 1982 30' Newport which I really liked until I saw the following...





I asked the owner about them and he said "Well that's how they built boats in the '80s and they have been working fine for the past 40 yrs." Anyone else find these on their boats? And what would cause the corrosion in the last 2 photos? This valve was for the head. I'm not sure if it was attached to the input or output but the corrosion seemed pretty severe. I think there are 5 of these fittings. What is the ball park for changing them out to bronze? Do they need to be changed?

[tkeithlu]

I'm having a very difficult time understanding the photos, but my impression is first, they are bronze, and second, salt water has gotten to the outsides of them, eiher by leaky mounts or (more likely) by leaks from unsealed conical center sections. I'm betting they haven't been closed in many years. The green corrosion is copper oxide.

So, a reasonable aopproach, should you want to take it on, would be to unmount the valves, disassemble them, with some difficulty I suspect, and see if they can be restored. If not, go with Marelon replacements.

[coopec43]

Is this manual any help?


https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...pqz6Rv7i8t1lep


https://www.google.com.au/search?sxs...&bih=615&dpr=1

[stormalong]

I too am having trouble understanding the pictures. The manual says that are gate valves. The pictures look like plastic valves to me.

If they are gate valves and/or an unknown type of plastic they should be replaced immediately.

With gate valves you cannot tell at a glance if they are open or closed and cannot tell if they are even working properly. They have no place on a boat.

An old, unknown type of plastic could disintegrate without warning.

Figure the cost of new and add some cost for labor (even if you do them yourself - your time is worth something), deduct that from the asking price.

I agree with tkeithlu - replace with Marelon or Trudesign.

[Capt Andy]

Sorry the photos weren't clearer. They are plastic gate valves and marked with "Bagdad Plastics". While I've read over and over that these types of valves need to be replaced immediately they are still functioning in this particular 1982 vintage boat. I also looked at a 1977 30' Newport which had the same valves and they are in good working order so how essential is it to replace them? I am passing on both boats because the 1982 Newport is too long for the slip while the 1977 Newport is in poor shape inside.

[Cheechako]

Is it the plastic valves or the green bronze through hulls that bother you?
My impression is plastic has a limited life, gate valve or otherwise. It's all 40 years old, so I would replace it all.
Hidden costs to old boats.