Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Unusual gas valve

426hemi
426hemi Member Posts: 86

Has anyone seen one of these gas valves before? Anyone know where to get one? How about an adapter that fits the flange on the economite burner to convert to pipe thread? It’s a Baso gas pilot safety valve on a housing that has the gas solenoid. It has pipe thread on the inlet and a right angle flange on the outlet that bolts to the gas burner.

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,845
    edited September 5

    Baso is still in business, might ask them or look through their catalog. They do have a lot of separate main valves in their catalog but not sure about that style.

    Or do you just need the safety valve? I assumed you need the main valve. Or is the red button a pilot lighter?

    Long Beach Ed
  • retiredguy
    retiredguy Member Posts: 974
    edited September 5

    I have seen a few of these back in the 1960's and 70's. What is wrong with this valve? does is still work? The only visible problem that I see is that the red push button to light the pilot and allow the gas to flow is not there but it should work without it. If there is something wrong with the valve let us know. The burner looks like a Midco Economite If it is, you could call Horizon Performance Technologies and ask for guidance at 1-262-361-0329. Tell them what you have and what you need.

    Long Beach Ed
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,845
  • 426hemi
    426hemi Member Posts: 86

    The pilot valve is leaking gas from the stem around where the red button is supposed to be. Baso doesn’t have a listing for this valve. They have the same valves as NPT in/and out however the thermocouple port is on the wrong side to attempt to install this valve into the existing housing. It would interfere with the gas solenoid. I’ve never taken one of these gas valves apart before, maybe I can buy the current NPT version and gut it for the seals I need to fix this one? I was hoping to find a replacement gas valve assembly.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,845

    Field rebuilding gas valves is no longer allowed. The whole burner could be replaced with a gas power burner. Is this an atmospheric conversion burner that sits inside the combustion chamber or a power burner?

  • 426hemi
    426hemi Member Posts: 86

    It’s a power burner, I’m not interested in replacing the burner unless all else fails. This burner is in good shape, a few years ago I replaced the bearings in it. Its much better built and simpler then anything on the market today. Its been absolutely bulletproof for probably 50-60 years. The boiler is from 1937 and is also in good condition. I’d like to see a boiler made today last 87 years! I’ve replaced lots of modern boilers that were only 20-30 years old. I’m ideally looking for a replacement gas valve. However an adapter to allow for pipe to be attached to the existing burners flanged inlet allowing so I can install an available gas valve and pilot valve would also work.

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,312
    edited September 5

    Can you just scrap the gas control, in favor of a currently manufactured gas valve. you have standing pilot valves with the thermocouple safety built into the valve. You can use the pilot lighting bar to light the pilot by connecting it to a separate manual pilot shut off valve. That way the leaking red button is turned off when you are not lighting the pilot.

    Or you can upgrade to intermittent or interrupted ignition like this kit.

    https://www.supplyhouse.com/Resideo-Y8610U6006-Intermittent-Pilot-Control-Conversion-Kit-for-270000-BTU-Units?_br_psugg_q=y8610u6006

    This eliminates the need for standing pilot completely

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • 426hemi
    426hemi Member Posts: 86

    How would you connect a different gas valve to the burner? It has a flange on the burner that the old gas valve connects to. You could run a pipe into the port in the front of the old gas valve but then the gas would still flow into the old valve. If the burner had an NPT inlet port, I would have already installed a new modern gas valve and pilot valve.

  • 426hemi
    426hemi Member Posts: 86

    Sorry, I just noticed I didn’t get a better picture of the flange. It is a automotive thermostat shaped flange with 2 machine screws that hold the gas valve onto the burner. This is my problem!

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,845

    Any chance the valve is threaded on both sides and the flange threads in to it?

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,312
    edited September 5

    Try removing the flange bolts and see how the other side of the gas valve is attached to the main burner. That main burner may have a threaded connection behind that flange.

    OR

    If that flange is connected to the main burner, perhaps you can have a flange to 3/4" pipe fitting made to fit your burner at a machine shop. (don't forget to obtain an appropriate flange gasket) That will offer you a way to connect a standard threaded valve.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    mattmia2
  • 426hemi
    426hemi Member Posts: 86

    Unfortunately not it’s a one piece casting.

  • 426hemi
    426hemi Member Posts: 86

    I may have to have something made if can’t find this valve. It’s not threaded underneath I’ve had it apart once before.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,845

    You'd have to do something like over thread a nipple and screw it through a floor flange then screw an adapter and the orifice on the nipple.