vetus vent parts

[mdidomenico]

for anyone keeping track, here's the solution i came up with. 

the vetus vent threaded post is in fact metric, it's M10x1.5

i found at home depot a 3/8 MIP to 1/8 FIP threaded bushing and a 3/8 NPSL nut

i drilled and tapped the 1/8 portion of busing out to M10x1.5.  the threads aren't the cleanest because 1/8 is pretty close to M10x1.5, so the drill didn't clear away all the 1/8 threads.

but it's close enough.  the vent threads through and spins freely

it's unfortunately all made of brass, so we'll see how long it lasts

[Jon W]

Congratulations, got to love simple fixes.

[KWKloeber]

Here is a thought if the brass doesn't work out for you ( or others in the same predicament.)

McMaster carries stainless reducing bushings, including 3/8 x 1/8.  Or a stainless external hex 3/8 pipe plug.  Then the M10 could be drilled and tapped thru the hex head and avoid the 1/8" pipe thread mis match.

The heavy duty stainless plugs have an extra hefty size hex head.  I didn't look but imagine that McMaster might also carry the nut in stainless.

Unfortunately Mc doesn't have a suitable bushing or plug in bronze.  Only 1/2 x 1/8 bronze bushings.

Cheers
ken 

[mdidomenico]

Here is a thought if the brass doesn't work out for you ( or others in the same predicament.)
McMaster carries stainless reducing bushings, including 3/8 x 1/8.  Or a stainless external hex 3/8 pipe plug.  Then the M10 could be drilled and tapped thru the hex head and avoid the 1/8" pipe thread mis match.

Agreed.  I did see those in the catalog.  but people should note that stainless is difficult to drill and tap.  especially using a hand tap and a cordless drill.

since the brass is so soft it was easy peesy.  i'm hopeful since these won't be in salt water contact they'll last awhile.

[KWKloeber]

MD

Roger on that. It sounded as though you had concerns about the brass.

FWIW if others have this, I wouldn't do an internal thread  in s/s with anything BUT a hand tap - that minimizes the chance for breakage.  Cordless or otherwise shouldn't be a problem so long as it's not a toy drill. The keys are getting the best cutting tools, cobalt drills and tap; going SLOW/high pressure/plenty of sulfur-based cutting oil to prevent overheating, and taking SMALL bites with multiple drill sizes and a TAPER tap. There's some good UTube vids for instructions/tips.

k

[britinusa]

Nice job, but glad I didn't have to go there 

Paul

[KWKloeber]

Oh. I Completely lost my mind and forgot to add this. 
You could paint the brass, and keep the thread protected with SuperLube PTFE gel.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : For those of you with a 1986, 87 & 88 C34 - here's what I did with my Vetus dorade vents.
I jammed them into the open position so they stayed that way permanently!!  Then I removed the Vetus inside trim screws and mounted a 4" Beckson port on top of the trim and used some longer screws to hold both of them (Vetus trim & Beckson ports) in place.  As I recall the holes of both linged up!!

In the summer the caps were out and if it got cold I screwed the caps in to close off the vent.  Then I NEVER had to fool with that inside screw mechanism!! MUCH SIMPLER

A thought