Double 38's

[captain]

It uses an O ring, it should be indicated in the drawing but it isn't. It goes around the small end of the plug. I would have to check but off hand I think it is the same size used on a 3/8" LP or HP hose.

[gj1963]

Thank you again for the info Tom. I assembled with an O-ring and it cured the leak. Here the tanks are now - thanks to Allan and Rick's great parts.

[SurfLung]

I'm glad to hear those bushings are okay and replaceable. I passed on a single 38 on Ebay 'cause I didn't think it would be any good with the bushing neck. That's a really nice tank set GJ.

[cheeko8080]

Congrats on getting them all together. I have a couple of similar loose tanks I want to put together. They also have these bushings. I've tried to google and search the forum for the answer to this question, but are the bushings straight or tapered thread? How can you tell? I actually don't visually know which part would be tapered... The individual thread?.... The whole threaded stem?

Clint

[gj1963]

The bushings are a npt taper thread on both outside and inside. I have ordered new high pressure ones from mcmaster-carr and will replace them soon when they come back apart for hydro.

[captain]

Congrats on getting them all together. I have a couple of similar loose tanks I want to put together. They also have these bushings. I've tried to google and search the forum for the answer to this question, but are the bushings straight or tapered thread? How can you tell? I actually don't visually know which part would be tapered... The individual thread?.... The whole threaded stem?

Clint

Go to your local hardware store and ask to see a 1" to 1/2" pipe reducing bushing. It will look the same as the one used in the tanks but WILL NOT be rated for high pressure, only 150 psi

[cheeko8080]

Ahhh thanks for the info. Now I've read and re-read the info above on galvanized and brass and stainless and I have to be honest that I'm a bit unclear. Can either of these bushings be used? It seems from above that you wouldn't want a galvanized bushing because of breathing in zinc. It also seems that you wouldn't want a stainless bushing because of potential galling. I'm thinking I was mis-reading the negativity of these things and that neither is a deal breaker for this particular application for some reason. If someone could explain why that would be great. Thanks so much!

Clint

[captain]

Stainless steel can be used but the possibility of galling exist. Teflon tape helps but but doesn't guarantee it won't happen. Galvanized is unnecessary, just about all the tanks you would use a reducing bushing on are not galvanized and should be painted including the bushing. I recommend painting with ZRC Galvilite.

[gj1963]

Here are what the new bushings look like... Just for the hell of it.

[cheeko8080]

Are they the stainless or regular version?

[gj1963]

Regular steel - zinc coated with the zinc mostly removed with vinegar.

[gj1963]

Just a few final notes on this....
Took them back apart for hydro and visual. Passed just fine. Scrubbed them out with a cylinder whip - nice clean insides with no pitting. Then installed the new bushings. The new bushings are much taller then what came out. Had to get Pugnut over to help snug everything up. I am not keen on getting a setup of this sort to seal again anytime soon. Possibly for paint at some point.