[HELP] Please figure out the leaking vintage faucet parts

genome

These are the bathtub faucets which I believe to be original in my 50' house. When I turn on the faucet, water leaks from alongside the valve stem and packing nut (Fig.1, red arrow head; you can see some water leakage there).
https://picasaweb.google.com/1089717...42429718471634

I figured the stem O-ring may waer and tear (Fig 2, red arrow head). The vlave stem is 3/8" in diameter, but I cannot tell the outer size of the stem O-ring.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1089717...42504168705714

The complete valve stem and packing nut look like Figs 3 and 4.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1089717...42659643126258
https://picasaweb.google.com/1089717...42635712985474


Please advise:
1. Is it possible to fix the leakage by merely changing the stem O-ring (Fig. 2)?
2. What size of O-ring shoule I get?
3. Is there any "modern" packing nut-stem-valve body set available to replace the vintage one and retrofit the existing faucet body?

Thank you very much.

genome

Here are the photos.
Thank you very much.

Attached Images

    

gregzoll

They are not worth fixing, but worth replacing. Because the same faucet was what I had it caused the whole wall to be rotted, which in turn turned into a whole bath remodel.

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genome

Thank you Gregzoll.
Please share more detail of your experience how to get it replaced. Did you DIY?

gregzoll

I cut off the pipe below the faucets, replaced all of the Rocklathe with GreenBoard and brought the bath up to modern codes. There is nothing you can do with that old crap expect throw it in the recycling after cutting it out.

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COLDIRON

You can replace the cartridges and the seats inside the valve.

The hard part is replacing the seats inside the valves you might need a seat remover tool for that. It can be purchased very cheap. You might get away with fifty bucks for the whole rebuild process. Good Luck.

genome

Here are what I found from an on-line faucet parts dealer. Their staff is very knowledgeable and recomendes me to pick these two replacemens by the photos provided:
http://www.faucetpartsplus.com/product_p/414731.htm
http://www.faucetpartsplus.com/product_p/414732.htm

I am going to order them and will update my experience.

genome

Hi COLDIRON,
Are you referring to "faucet seat wrench" to insert a new seat?

COLDIRON

Yes. I am sure you can pick one up cheap.
flea market/ Harbor Frieght.

Alan

Sometimes a large allen wrench will take out faucet seats as well.

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Journeyman Plumber

genome

I went to a local pubmbing supply and they gave me the packing nut-stem-valve body sets for replacement. They do not carry both hot/cold, so I just get two identical ones.

The only differnce is, the new set I got comes with a O-ring seat in the valve body, which looks just like this one:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

My old ones or the ones sold by the on-line supplier (attached Fig.) do not have that O-ring in the valve body.

I did not find any seat left in the bottom of the faucets either. (I peeked into the faucet with a flashlight)

So I hope the new ones will fit and work just well. Will see tonight.

Attached Images