Old Toilet Repair Advice Needed!

[Gary]

Hi,
We have an 80+ year-old Case 2nd model A, one piece toilet that's desperately needing help. It's been in continuous use since at least 1942, and is in need of fill / flush hardware replacements. We've been able to find a source for replacement parts for all tank internals, except for the Case #40 ballcock fill valve, which was discontinued over 10 years ago. We'd really like to keep this toilet, since it matches the old ceramic tile in our bathroom, but we must either find the #40 valve assembly, or figure out how to substitute parts to do the fill / flush job. We've researched "universal replacement part" kits, but are not knowledgeable enough to know whether any of them will actually work for us. We need expert guidance, going forward. If anyone can help us, we would be most appreciative. I have extensive photographs of the toilet, as well as measurements, if that helps.
Thanks, Gary

 

[Rickyman]

Post a picture of inside the tank

 

[Gary]

If you need a picture from a different angle, let me know.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Give Algor Plumbing Supply a call, in Cicero, IL.

I have not been there in quite a while, but in the past they were able to find or advise about old obsolete parts like that.

https://www.algorphs.com/

 

[Gary]

Thank you, Jeff Handy. I'll check with them.

 

[Aloha Mark]

Korky model 528 fill valve has a height of 7-3/4" so it can be used to replace the old fill valve. The flapper is going to be a challenge since one of the unfortunate aspects of replacing it is detaching the tank from the bowl. The old gasket is a bear to find for any out-of-production toilet. Are you experiencing any leaks/water loss through the flapper?

 

[Jeff Handy]

Maybe one of the plastic knockoff fill valves for the Kohler lowboy toilets would be a good fit?

And that flush valve has no overflow tube, so the bowl refill has to go through that hole in the front of the tank.

I think some of the Kohler plastic knockoffs have a thick plastic refill tube going forward like that, IIRC.

Maybe you could extend the Korky bowl refill to that molded overflow drain at the back right wall of the tank?

 

[Jeff Handy]

I think you can replace that flush ball without doing any work on the flush valve.
That little rod that it hangs from should just unscrew from the threaded insert in the flush ball.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Plumbingsupply.com has a number of parts available.

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/case-toilet-parts-model-a.html#2ndmodel

 

[Gary]

Korky model 528 fill valve has a height of 7-3/4" so it can be used to replace the old fill valve. The flapper is going to be a challenge since one of the unfortunate aspects of replacing it is detaching the tank from the bowl. The old gasket is a bear to find for any out-of-production toilet. Are you experiencing any leaks/water loss through the flapper?

Aloha Mark, thanks for the response! The toilet is one-piece, so it would definitely be a challenge to detach the tank from the bowl. The flapper may be leaking a bit, but not significantly. My main problem is that the fill-valve leaks badly at the top, and sprays water all over. (see photo)

 

[Gary]

Maybe one of the plastic knockoff fill valves for the Kohler lowboy toilets would be a good fit?

And that flush valve has no overflow tube, so the bowl refill has to go through that hole in the front of the tank.

I think some of the Kohler plastic knockoffs have a thick plastic refill tube going forward like that, IIRC.

Maybe you could extend the Korky bowl refill to that molded overflow drain at the back right wall of the tank?

Maybe you're right, Jeff Handy. I really don't know.

 

[Gary]

Plumbingsupply.com has a number of parts available.

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/case-toilet-parts-model-a.html#2ndmodel

Yes, Mitchell-DIY-Guy... the part that they don't have (ballcock / fill valve) is the part I need to replace.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

If you can take that ballcock/fill valve assembly out, clean it up, I bet you will find that there is a seal in the form of an O-Ring or gasket of some kind. That will probably be removable and replaceable. If an O-Ring, they come in thousands of sizes you just have to measure carefully and perhaps get a few until you find the proper one. If the case of a gasket of some kind you may have to cut your own. There are plenty of sources for rubber gasket material...

Then, there are some rebuild kits available here; they have a number of them available but they are listed by ballcock model, such as SP-21, SP-26, etc. I don't know if the one you need is here.

https://www.faucetshark.com/Case-Toilet-Repair-Kits-s/12000.htm
https://thisoldtoilet.com

 

[Aloha Mark]

My main problem is that the fill-valve leaks badly at the top, and sprays water all over. (see photo)

As long as the hole in the tank for a fill valve is standard, I would say that a Kohler Toilet Part - Fill Valve #1083167 should work. This is low profile for one piece Cimarron toilet bowls. It's carried by many plumbing supply shops. The valve has lasted well over 10 years in my house, where 3-5 yr old junky Fluidmaster valves have intermittently failed to fill an empty tank. Fluidmaster flappers are pretty bad too.

 

[Gary]

As long as the hole in the tank for a fill valve is standard, I would say that a Kohler Toilet Part - Fill Valve #1083167 should work. This is low profile for one piece Cimarron toilet bowls. It's carried by many plumbing supply shops. The valve has lasted well over 10 years in my house, where 3-5 yr old junky Fluidmaster valves have intermittently failed to fill an empty tank. Fluidmaster flappers are pretty bad too.

Thanks!

 

[Gary]

If you can take that ballcock/fill valve assembly out, clean it up, I bet you will find that there is a seal in the form of an O-Ring or gasket of some kind. That will probably be removable and replaceable. If an O-Ring, they come in thousands of sizes you just have to measure carefully and perhaps get a few until you find the proper one. If the case of a gasket of some kind you may have to cut your own. There are plenty of sources for rubber gasket material...

Then, there are some rebuild kits available here; they have a number of them available but they are listed by ballcock model, such as SP-21, SP-26, etc. I don't know if the one you need is here.

https://www.faucetshark.com/Case-Toilet-Repair-Kits-s/12000.htm
https://thisoldtoilet.com

If I can't get a better solution, your seat-of-the-pants o-ring / gasket replacement suggestion might be what I'll have to try. Thanks!

 

[arctic bill]

https://deabath.com/how-to/one-piece-lowboy-toilet-repair/