1950's Eljer Toilet Tank Wires Question

**Peterson** · 06-18-2011, 10:44 AM

Hi Everybody

I'm posting this question for my neighbors down the street. They are having toilet troubles and asked me whether I could help them fix their toilet. I really don' t know the answer to their problem, so I told them I would post online here and see what the professionals have to say!

They have a pretty mint green 1950's Eljer reverse trap toilet. There is no flush valve in the tank as the toilet's tank has a built in overflow tube molded into the back of the tank. On the inside front of the tank is a porcelain bump-out that has a small hole through it that for a brass lift wire guide to screw into. The end of the porcelain bump-out disintegrated or broke off, and there is nothing to guide the tank wires for the tank ball. Whenever you flush the toilet, the tank wires and ball float freely throughout the tank and never settle down on the bottom of the ceramic flush valve opening.

Is there any type of fix for this kind of tank? Can this tank use the Eljer "Touch Flush" flapper that you can attach to one of the tank bolts - that was so commonly used in 1970's Eljer toilets? Can you use one of those FluidMaster set and seal flappers and affix it to the porcelain opening of the built in flush valve?

My neighbors are not interested in replacing the toilet as it matches their sink, bathtub, etc - so please don't recommend replacing it. There has got to be some kind of fix for this. Other than this tank wire issue, the toilet is in pristine condition.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance!

**jadnashua** · 06-18-2011, 11:30 AM

Good luck. Have they called Eljer? (Think they were bought out...not sure who owns them if that did happen). Trying to find or fix a non-standard design of a 50-60 year old toilet is asking a lot. They may be lucky, but I'd not hold my breath! It also probably depends on how much Rube Goldberg blood they have in their veins. WHere there's a will, there's a way, but no guarantees.

**Terry** · 06-18-2011, 11:43 AM

Can you attach a photo?
800 pixels or less.

This may not work.
Touch Flush?

Korky has a flapper for that.

Name: 62BP-Unpackaged.jpg
Views: 879
Size: 26.5 KB

http://korky.com/Flapper62BP.html

**johnjh2o1** · 06-18-2011, 11:44 AM

One thing you can try is made bye fluid-master. Just be sure the seat is dry before installing.

http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51...it-252353.aspx

John

**Peterson** · 06-18-2011, 11:59 AM

I don't have my digital camera on me at the moment, but I did find a video of an identical tank on Youtube. This person's tank has the lift wires in place.

The little porcelain bumpout that holds the guide for the wires has broken off on my neighbor's toilet.

**Terry** · 06-18-2011, 12:19 PM

Fluidmaster makes a repair kit that may work for that.

http://www.fluidmaster.com/index.asp?bhcp=1

http://www.fluidmaster.com/pdfs/555c_instructions.pdf

**Peterson** · 06-18-2011, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the reply Terry! Would you just glue the fluidmaster flush valve/flapper thing right down on the porcelain inside the tank. The directions on the link show how to glue it to a metal flush valve body. I would think it would come off if it was glued right to the porcelain.

Here's another video of someone that fixed an older Eljer, but not as old as my neighbors. They used the touch flush system. The inside of the tank looks very similiar to my neighbors (and the first video I posted). With seeing this, I'm wondering whether the touch flush system will work for my neighbors toilet. It's amazing what you can find on Youtube!

**Terry** · 06-18-2011, 01:03 PM

I like the second video fix better.

**achutch** · 06-18-2011, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Peterson

I don't have my digital camera on me at the moment, but I did find a video of an identical tank on Youtube. This person's tank has the lift wires in place.

The little porcelain bumpout that holds the guide for the wires has broken off on my neighbor's toilet.

When I bought that toilet back in 1998, the screw that held the guide to to the china bump out was broken. I replaced it with a brass screw, washer, and nut from a hardware store. There was a nasty foam liner in the tank that I removed, and the remnants of the adhesive is what makes the inside of that tank look bad.

I did visit some friends who had the 1950's Eljer bowl with the forward facing trap. At some point, the tank which would have been the same as mine, was replaced with a 1970's tank like the one in the second video that featured the Touch Flush. Since the bolt holes and flush valve opening match in both the older and "newer" models, then my guess that the Touch Flush would work in the 1950's tank.

Tried to post a link that shows a bowl of this type but is was not allowed through this site. If you want, send me a note privately, and I'll send you the link.

**Peterson** · 06-19-2011, 10:25 AM

Hi Everybody

Thank you so much for your input and advice on how to fix this toilet. My neighbor is going to use the Fluidmaster "glue on" valve seat for his toilet. He originally was going to try to use the touch flush (which we believe will work), but after looking at the tank bolts, he decided against trying to dismantle the entire toilet. Better to leave well enough alone. I'm not doing any of these repairs as I don't want to be responsible for breaking his toilet!! So, right now he drained the toilet tank and is letting it totally dry out for a day or two before he glues this flush valve down.

Again, thank you for all of your advice and help!

**johnjh2o1** · 06-19-2011, 10:46 AM

He can use a hair dryer. With it being warm it will also help it to stick better.

John

**master plumber mark** · 06-19-2011, 02:41 PM

tell your neighbor to totally dry out that china or it will only work for a week or two.... we have had that problem when they are this old

we have tangled with a few of them over the years,

their is a better way to use the fluid master glue down type seal...

you throw away that epoxy sealer that they give you and use a tube of water proof SILICONE to glue the flapper down with....

it will take a day or two for it to set up , but once it is dry , it will work forever ,, where the epoxy bond can sometimes give way....

also , DO NOT make the chain tight or it too can pull it out of the socket it is glued in...

**cwhyu2** · 06-19-2011, 03:15 PM

It is still a temporary fix.It will come apart in no time at all.Best option is to install the touch flush system.

**jimbo** · 06-19-2011, 04:50 PM

Being very practical-mnded, I would comment that a 60 year old toilet it about 25 years past prime! But if you and the little lady are that attached to it, get it done right. I would recommend Rick Dale in Las Vegas. http://www.ricksrestorations.com/
He can restore anything.

As others have commented, most of us have used the 'flusher fixer' and had it come apart. Apparently needs a more highly skilled and talented installer!

I think Rick would restore the toilet for in the $800 range. Be careful with the lid, because if you break or lose that, it is available for around $900

**Gary Swart** · 06-19-2011, 07:21 PM

I'm going to offer an opinion that probably won't be well received, but here it is anyway. Why in God's name would you invest hundreds of dollars in restoring a 60 year old toilet and still have a water hog 60 year old antique? Would you spend that much money on a 60 year old car? I doubt it. My friend, it is my advice to sent this old beast to the landfill and buy a new Toto Drake. You will be time and money ahead, plus have a toilet that will be up to date and serviceable for the next 40 years or more.