How to replace washer in 60 style stem tap

[Mortartube]

Hi. A friend has a 60's style stem tap on their sink and the washer needs changing.

There is a pipe going up and curving over the sink. The bit that tuns on the water is a tapered barrel with 4 lugs on it to allow you to turn it on and off. The lugs look like a anenonmeter for measuring windspeed.

The tapered barrel hangs on the underside of the pipe almost at the end. The barrel has a nut on the top of it and I believe the barrel contains the washer. I assume that you put a spanner on the nut part and untwist the barrel, but it is quite old and not likely to undo easily, so I wanted some advice as to whether the method I propose for undoung it is correct and also ways of freeing it up as it will probabbly be corroded on the thread.

[scotman]

Are you referring to something called a 'Supatap'? as this is what your description sounds like.

[Mortartube]

Not sure of the correct term. They were quite popular in the 1960's. Not like the modern taps at all. Been trying to find a picture without success but will search using that term now.

[scotman]

If it is a Supatap then look at this

http://www.diydoctor....pairing_a_supatap.htm

or

http://www.diyhowto.c...ects/taps.htm#supatap

[Mortartube]

Yes it's a supatap. Now I know the correct term I have found lots of info. Thank you for your answer Scotman.

[alavahalf]

Have you spotted that it is a left hand thread when you start to undo it.
It is mentioned in the info ... but not until the end.
Supataps were around from around the sixties but the washers are still readily available. When you get it apart give everything a good going over with a wire brush to remove the scale, before re-assembly.