Rebuild Manifold Question...

[Danny D]

I was wondering if anyone has some rebuild parts for this particular U.S. Divers manifold with 1/2 tapered threading. I am planning on using it on a set of double steel 72's I have. The manifold on it now is a crossover to each post so I feel this one would better suit my setup. As always any help would be appreciated.

Dan

[captain]

Most of the time all that is needed is to clean and lubricate them. There were couple of different types of seats used in the J reserve and depending on condition and type the J reserve may or may not work as designed but in any case it is not a sugnificent issue unless you plan on using the reserve and no SPG. The main issue with the three piece manifold is leaks at the two joints. They do not use any O rings anywhere and depend on a metal to metal seal and sometimes it may take some effort to get an air tight seal. If the regulator on/off valve is not extremely hard to operate I would use it as is. The burst disc retainer. if it is the old style with the lead plug in it should be changed to the later type now in general use that has the 3 holes. The only issue with valves is leakage, they will not suddenly shut off or present any danger of loss of air to the regulator. If it ain't broke don't fix it because with parts being almost impossible to get you could do more harm than good..

[antique diver]

If your valves will open up and completely disassemble without damaging anything, they can be cleaned up inside and out. Many times the packing seal around the valve stems (and reserve valve stem) will be reusable after careful cleaning and lubrication. If not you will probably be able to substitute a modern teflon seal. The seat may also be useable, but there is a chance it could be replaced with a newer version. The valve will work and feel much nicer after the internal parts are cleaned up and lubricated with moderate amount of silicone grease on the shaft, seal and lightly on the threads of the seat.

I think that this version has the removable brass "cup" shaped sealing surface inside the manifold connection on the reserve valve. They are bad about leaking, but it is due to needing a new gasket behind it, on not being installed snugly. If there is a hex hole in the cup where the manifold nipple seals, unscrew it for the complete cleaning job, being careful to preserve any gasket that may be behind it.

If you end up needing any parts, contact me by email as I may have some.

[Danny D]

Much appreciated guys. The manifold is in the mail and should be arriving soon so I will let you know how I far.

Dan

[Danny D]

It appears that after cleaning and installing the manifold that it is missing some parts from the valve (on/off). After looking at an older manifold diagram it would appear to be parts 10-9210-19 stem (have it, but could use a better one), 11-8299-10 Gasket, 12-8285-10 Back-up Ring, and 13-9570-07 O-ring. This was the only part of the manifold that I did not take apart because it seemed to function properly when I cleaned it and blew air through it while opening and closing the valve. It was when we went to fill the tanks that we found it to not hold air due to these missing parts. If anyone has a few sitting around I would appreciate the opportunity to be able to purchase them off of the owner.

On a different note I was amazed to find out while going through this process of resembling my double 72’ stripping and repainting them with the Galvalite that I have unknowingly assembled a 1958 diving set which includes the tanks and my 58 Phoenix (DA). I still have to look at the date on the valve, but I think it is pretty neat that I have brought a regulator and tanks set from the same year of manufacture together with no effort. Now had I wanted to do it I bet it would not have happened hahah. I am in the process of ordering the bands from Rick and a harness from Allan. That should round off my projects for the year and leave me with a great 1950s set-up!

[captain]

I believe you are looking at the wrong parts diagram. The stem part number for a 1/2 thread valve should be 0528-40. What you may have is a combination of two manifolds. The early 1/2 thread ends and a later 3/4 thread manifold center section. Does the center section have a date on it. The early manifold did not use a gasket or O ring, only a white teflon seal on the stem. You need to determine what you have first before looking for parts. In either case parts can be scavenged from either a J or K valve of the appropriate vintage.

[Danny D]

Captain,

Thank you for your insight. I did not happen to have been at the lds when the tanks were being filled and they were the ones that consulted the diagram. Which apparently was the incorrect one as you pointed out.
I went down to the store yesterday and tried to remedy the problem. My manifold is dated 57 and all parts belong together minus the plastic knob. It was the teflon seal in the stem that was leaking. We tried several from their surplus of old valves and ran out of time as I had to return to work. I am returning to the LDS today to try some more.

[pescador775]

If the parts are not available, drop a PM to me. I've gottem. Make it quick because I'm off diving for a few days beginning Sunday or Monday depending on how I feel. Caught a "pesky" cold but it's fading fast.
Pesky

[Danny D]

Well after being at the dive shop for 5 hours today we finally came up with a solution. The valve was leaking from the nut below the on/off assembly and no remedy we tried seemed to work. New parts, old parts, teflon, o-rings she still was making bubbles. We came to the conclusion that there must be something possibly wrong with the housing of the middle section of the manifold that was not allowing for a good seal.
The store has an old set of navy nonmagnetic doubles with the same valve so we switched out the middle section and we ended up with no leaks. So now my manifold has a non-mangnetic black center and steel posts from 1957.