Replies

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | Jan 10, 2001 04:01am | #1

   *
   Bob, it wouldn't hurt if you told us the distance between the center of the trap to the finished wall.

   Gabe

   PS can't you just insert a rubber washer to make up the difference?

1. 
   Bob_Guelli | Jan 10, 2001 04:12am | #2

   *Gabe,I can't get an acurate measurement without removing the toilet, which I don't want to do if I can avoid it. However, I can measure the bolts off the finished wall. The rear set of bolts is 16.5" from the wall and the front set is 24.5" from the wall.

1. 
   Gabe_Martel | Jan 10, 2001 04:19am | #3

   *Bob in all likelyhood, the toilet flange center is 16.5" from the wall.Buy a standard toilet of your choice and build out a frame behind your new toilet to make up the difference. Floor to ceiling. Add a recessed medicine cabinet and paint to suite.Gabe

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke_ | Jan 10, 2001 04:24am | #4

   *Bob - There are some specialty old plumbing supply outlets around. Mac the Antique Plumber comes to mind (more fixtures and fittings than parts) but maybe some of the more plumbing-oriented folks here will know of another, more technically-oriented shop.Jeff

1. 
   Tim_Kline | Jan 10, 2001 05:54am | #5

   *b WBA At Your ServiceJeff, where in the hell do you get all these cool links ???

2. 
   allaround_ | Jan 10, 2001 07:16am | #6

   *The usual reason the ball won't seal is because the brass seat is pitted. Sometimes you can clean them up and smooth them out with judicious use of emery cloth. If that doesn't work, check out the plumbing section of your local hardware store for a conversion kit that epoxys a new stainless steel seat over the old one. It also includes a flapper valve to replace the ball. If I remember correctly, it's made by Fluidmaster.

3. 
   Louis_Wilson | Jan 10, 2001 07:54am | #7

   *Not that this will help your old stool work any better, but if the tank lid looks original- turn it over and see if you can find a date embossed on the unglazed porcelain. At least you'll know how old the thing is. Good luck fixing it, I have two stools similar to yours in my house, a '49 Trylon and a'59 Wellworth. I just keep 'em going without spoiling them, as mentioned above FluidMaster has some retrofit parts to keep these old babies flushing.

4. 
   lonecat | Jan 10, 2001 07:55am | #8

   *Unless you want a new toilet, you should be able to rehab the old one. Those old mugs are far cooler than anything new you'll find. In addition to Mac, there is http://www.a-ball. If you do replace it, don't throw it away- the nearest architectural salvage place will take it. Dremel tools are mighty handy on antique toilets.

2. 
   Bob_Guelli | Jan 10, 2001 07:55am | #9

   *
   I have a very old toilet, could be around 80 years old. It needs to be replaced but I cannot
   find a new toilet that has the same offset from the wall. The only real problem with the toilet
   is the mechanism inside has deteriorated to the point where the parts have disappeared,
   the black rubber ball is completely rotted through, and the brass linkages have totally worn out.
   I tried replacing the parts with new components from the local hardware store, but the new black
   rubber ball does not seal of the opening completely, so the water is constantly running.
   Can anyone help me find either new replacement parts that fit an old toilet or a new toilet that will
   fit the same 4 hole floor bolt pattern and offset distance from the wall?