washing machine valve - how to replace?
 

these are leaking..
I plugged up the outlet then the water is coming out of the handle.

Any idea if this is a pipe thread valve or not, I looked under the face plate and see a series of threads.

do I need to remove drywall?

It'd be easier to just replace the 50 cent washers in the two valves.

would that be the guts under the packing nut you are talking about?

I see they already tightened the packing nut a bunch on the hot side probably to stop things from leaking.

it is leaking at the outlet,

I bought a garden hose cap to close it up, thinking this "leak" doesn't matter once I get my washing machine, but then the water started to go out the top when I did this.

So both the packing and seal lets water thru. It's a hot washer valve so I think it is quite common for this deterioration.

should I have it replaced with a ball valve? This valve is 23 years old.

Cheaper to just replace the washer and repack the stem.

I'd try the easy fix (washer) before replacing the whole valve. It's 23 years old, but there's no reason it can't last another 23 years.

where do I find the packing and washer for it?

Will it be in here?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_31461-1366-8...%7C1&facetInfo=

Lowes Home Depot, any plumbing supply store, any hardware store.
You will need to shut the water off and remove the washer to find a replacement. There's dozens of differant sizes.

just 1 more question for now..

when I remove the packing nut would it help to use another wrench to hold the bottom nut.. or.. (where else?) to avoid stressing the piping is the bottom nut just there to hold it against the plastic box

Do I have to shut off the hot water heater valve after shutting off the house supply valve in order to repair the hot side?

Thanks

No, once you kill the house valve you're good on the hot too. It wouldn't hurt to turn off the power/fuel source at the heater as well. Relieve the pressure before tearing into the valves and always use a back up wrench. Take the stem to your local supplier, buy replacement parts and your good to go

Got the stem off the screw holding the seal washer is looking to be a tuff one

White crud on the Philips screw head but I'm afraid it might strip
Any tips?

Clean out the crud, make sure your using the right sized bit.
I use an impact screw gun.
http://www.bing.com/shopping/18v-imp...iver&FORM=HURE

I had a single handle Oatey washing machine valve that leaked. Here is the thread:

http://www.diychatroom.com/f7/leakin...-valve-122780/