Marelon Ball Valves

[Jim Rose]

Has anyone had problems with the handles coming off the Marelon Seacocks?  I know of two failures one a Catalina 380 and last weekend my friends 2000 Catalina 34 MKII, galley sink drain.  The handles only have a sheet metal screw not a machine screw hoding them on.  I lubricated them from below before the boat went into the water and reluctant to check the handle screws now the she's in the water.  When the handle comes off you have to remove the 4 assembly screws and reposition the ball and install a longer screw.  Don't forget someone has to keep the finger in the dike.
Anyone have this problem?  My friend said only a couple of treads are holding the handle on.

[Jim Rose]

Thanks Ron,

I'll look through my past issues of Mainsheet.  I can feel the difference that lubrication makes on them.  I wasn't able to find lanocote so I used white lithium grease using a small brush from below.  Nice easy trick.