Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

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Rich Peters
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Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#1 Post by Rich Peters »

'54 speedster fuel cock-1.jpg
I'm looking for a fuel cock for our Speedster #200. It has the small tank outlet and the larger fuel line to the motor.
It is a VW part and this is the original one on the car. It has an embossed logo with the letters kaRco in it.
I've attached a photo, but this is my first time, so not sure it'll show up.

The one on the car now leaks, and yes, I know I can get some of the rebuild parts from Wolfsburg West.
However, I'd like to rebuild another and exchange the leaky one on the car.

Anyone have an old original one they'd sell?

Thanks,
Rich

Ned Gorski
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#2 Post by Ned Gorski »

The early ones are few and far between. the connector nut is a different size than the later ones. They don't leak very often as long as they are constantly cycled open and closed . its a simple procedure to rebuild my advice buy the correct pre a rebuild kit. remove the leaking fuel cock take it apart and clean, replace worn parts from rebuild kit and then reinstall its takes less than an hour . possibly two if its your first time and you take your time. there is really nothing to it. ... fyi the clamp is missing from your fuel hose ...
Regards Ned
55 Cab

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Tom Tate
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#3 Post by Tom Tate »

Rich,
You don't have an email address in your profile so I'll just post here that I have a few of those early versions if you want to practice rebuilding one.

Rich Peters
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#4 Post by Rich Peters »

I thought my email address was included in my profile.
Well, it is now.
Thanks Ned and Tom.

Rich

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JohnLiles
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#5 Post by JohnLiles »

WP_20180518_07_42_44_Pro.jpg
I had to remove the fuel cock from a 55 Continental , here are the pictures of it . As my car is an outlaw I do not need to keep the original parts together , so if you get stuck for a replacement let me know....it is in UK however and postage may be an issue !!
Attachments
WP_20180518_07_53_38_Pro.jpg
1957 'A' and 1955 'Continental Outlaw'

Jan Kolm
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#6 Post by Jan Kolm »

Both are VW parts and both were used on pre-1956 VWs and Porsches. I'm not sure if the ones with 6mm outlets are correct for early 356s or pre-Oct '52 VWs (James and others can answer this)

However, the Karco unit is easier to rebuild, as they were produced into the 1970s and rebuild kits are available from multiple sources. NOS ones show up occasionally at swap meets, usually for crazy money.

The short-bowl units have corrosion issues, so this one is a true survivor. I don't know if the Karco parts are interchangeable, though. I don't believe these were produced beyond the 1950s. This particular fuel cock is unusual, in that it has a wing nut, not a knurled nut.

As Ned mentioned, these are not interchangeable with the larger 356A-B-C assemblies.

Another option is to use the 1956 and later VW unit without the bowl. These were used at least through 1967 on standard VWs. The valve only rotates 90-degrees though and "off" is at the 45 degree position.
Jan Kolm
356 Registry #1066
1960 1600N Coupe

Brad Ripley
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#7 Post by Brad Ripley »

Rich, What is wrong with the petcock sold by Stoddard NLA http://www.stoddard.com/35656022.html

BTW, the name on those petcocks is Karcoma as in http://www.karcoma.com/en/company/aboutus/index.php

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Alan Hall
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#8 Post by Alan Hall »

Brad, the petcock that Stoddard sells has a 6mm outlet while the original 356 has an 8mm outlet. See: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=42328&hilit=6mm+outlet

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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#9 Post by Brad Ripley »

I did not know the wrong specification was being sold. I will look into a correction.

Rich Peters
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#10 Post by Rich Peters »

Thanks Brad. I did purchase the petcock from Stoddard and ended up with the wrong one.
It's ok, I'll use it as a spare for another car in the future.

The reason I'm looking for an extra, when I removed the small wire spring that holds the part in place, it went flying!!
I can't find it anywhere! I cut the cork gasket to fit, reassembled the original one and use the thicker one supplied with the new Stoddard one.
Needed to cut it down a little and it was tough to install. Different diameter of wire between the two.

Oh well, long story but that's why I need a spare so I can rebuild or restore another one.

Allan, thanks for the thread, I didn't see it before. It will help in the rebuild.

Brad Ripley
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#11 Post by Brad Ripley »

Tank/petcock question:
What is the diameter and thread pitch of the tank outlet (bung):
a) early Pre-A tank
b) late Pre-A tank

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Rick Albro
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#12 Post by Rick Albro »

Brad,
50199 which is a February of 53 car has a 0.705" diameter which is probably 18mm, with a 1.0mm pitch thread.

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Donald Zingg
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Re: Early Fuel Cock for '54 Speedster

#13 Post by Donald Zingg »

Rick Albro wrote:Brad,
50199 which is a February of 53 car has a 0.705" diameter which is probably 18mm, with a 1.0mm pitch thread.
Same spec. for all 1954 and early '55 356 fuel tank outlets - - 18mm - 1.00 right-hand thread. The I.D. of the outlet bore = 12.5mm

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