Lonestar PS Control Valve

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Mar 17, 2022 | 09:13 AM

eddp

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 232

Likes: 14

Lonestar PS Control Valve

Has anyone used Lonestar for a new/rebuilt Power Steering Control Valve? I am told that no matter what, these things will leak.

I don't have a lift and don't want to spend who knows how much to pay some mechanic who has never worked on a C3 to install a Borgeson unit and end up being $2K or more into something that ends up being a crappy install. ( I can't find any mechanic that I trust to do good work on this vette).
Lonestar has a good reputation for calipers, so I am looking for people who have used them for PS Control Valves.

Thank you.

Mar 17, 2022 | 09:39 AM

Eliredandblack

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 2,321

Likes: 720

From: Marietta GA

I purchased a NEW Lonestar Valve and had a local Corvette Service shop install it, never one drop of fluid has ever leaked, everything else leaks. The install is easy, however the front wheels have to be off the ground while the engine is running to center the unit. I didn’t think doing all that on jack stands would be smart. I paid maybe $ 125 for the job, it should take about one hour. You need to find a shop that knows C3 cars, it is not a job that you want a mechanic without prior experience to tackle.

Mar 17, 2022 | 09:50 AM

gjohnson

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,808

Likes: 439

From: Denver CO

It will leak, give it time.

Mar 17, 2022 | 10:01 AM

Jud Chapin

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 10,560

Likes: 439

From: Wellington, FL

St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25

Be careful greasing these valves. Don't get carried away as the pressure can damage the seal creating leaks.

Mar 17, 2022 | 10:11 AM

eddp

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 232

Likes: 14

Finding the mechanic is the problem. These mechanics today are so used to the new cars, that finding one that has any experience working on any old car, let alone a 40 year old vette, is almost impossible. Many today don't have a clue about a carb and distributor engine. If they can't plug in the OBD, and have technology do all of the diagnostic and tuning, they are lost.

Mar 17, 2022 | 01:29 PM

kodpkd

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 5,430

Likes: 2,154

From: Loveland

Borgeson with a new pump,,,, and never have to mess with it again. Easy peasy.

Mar 17, 2022 | 01:44 PM

John 65

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 5,381

Likes: 415

From: N J

I guess I should have bought a new one, but I had my 77 pscv rebuilt by them perhaps a year and a half ago and within 100 miles or so it started to leak again. I believe they guarantee them for 5 years so eventually I will replace it.

I'm sorry I didn't try and rebuild it myself with all the step by step videos out there.

Mar 17, 2022 | 02:03 PM

gr8t73

Pro

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 676

Likes: 36

From: Usa

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddp

I put a lonestar rebuilt control valve on my 73 about four years ago and it has never leaked a drop. I've owned my 73 for 21 years and I have installed several control valves over the years from several different vendors and once I tried rebuilding the control valve myself. Other than the lonestar unit all of them leaked. Maybe I am just lucky. My entire power steering system has no leaks not from the hoses, the control valve or the cylinder. I will say the only way I was able to stop the leaks at the hose ends was by using these brass flare gaskets.