The top petcock on my oil pan needs to be checked all the time. It vibrates open. What have others done to tighten this thing back up to stay shut?

I would try to find out what causes the vibration ???? Our very smooth running 14 started to vibrate before we joined the two peice crankshaft club !!!!!!! Bud in Wheeler,Mi.

Check the spring that keeps it closed, might be missing or broke.

Buy a new one for $7.50 or try and find a new or better spring that holds the tension on it.

I'd get a new petcock.

Doug,

You don't say what type of petcock you have. Most are the spring loaded type, and a good spring is all that is needed to keep the thing from turning.
If your car is an early one with the stepped washer and the screw to hold things together, that is a different matter. My 12 Chocolate van has those, and having had the lower one vibrate open just a hundred yards from a stop, I was saved from a rather expensive repair bill. I now safety wire it in the closed position.

Hope this helps.

Allan from down under.

You may have an early one. They don't stay as tight as the late ones do.

Doug,

The turning part of the petcock is tapered where it fits into the petcock body. Whenever I check my oil, and after I close the petcock, I always give the handle of the petcock a little smack with the pliers to drive the taper tight into the petcock body. It's always still tight when I come back later for a recheck. If you use one of those long handled petcock tools to reach underneath easier, then, while you're turning the valve shut, also push in on the handle to drive the taper in tight.

I do the same procedure, Jerry - never had one vibrate loose.

"If you use one of those long handled petcock tools to reach underneath easier, then, while you're turning the valve shut, also push in on the handle to drive the taper in tight."

That's how I do it.

Also, I see a lot of folks say they have to crawl under even when using the tool. I find if I put my left knee on the running board, I can lean over far enough to look underneath the rear part of the front fender and see how to check the oil with the long handled tool. Beats the heck out of crawling on the ground. Especially when it comes time to stand back up.

The TT is even easier. No splash shields!

The petcock came on a 27 engine. A rap on the end makes sense to me - thanks

lapping the taper with valve lapping compound will help a lot. charley