American Standard Tract Line Tub & Shower valve identification

[Ladiesman217]

Can anyone tell what brand this tub & shower valve is?

Mid 1950's vintage.

TL is stamped on the hardware.

 

[hj]

American Standard, probably Colony

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Ladiesman217]

Thanks for the hint. American Standard is correct.

My hardware is original from the mid 1950's, and is in need of renewal. So either a new hardware kit, or a new replacement valve assembly. My tankless water heater works great with these valves. Mostly hot water for a shower, and just a trickle of cold water.


For future use by others, this is what I did to find the correct complete rebuild kit.


I searched for three handle tub shower American Standard and then looked at the images.

I changed search terms more than a few times, and this is what worked.

American Standard three handle tub and shower


https://www.bing.com/images/search?...ndle+tub+and+shower&go=Search&qs=ds&form=QBIR


I found the correct image, clicked on it and then found a partial replacement part number.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=FlRYySLO&id=BD018549D05960F547B91A86C3DF040BFB5D4855&thid=OIP.FlRYySLOE_FOYg94wqFJggHaHa&mediaurl=http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/261973956296-0-1/s-l1000.jpg&exph=500&expw=500&q=three+handle+tub+shower+american+standard&simid=608043719216005913&selectedIndex=78&ajaxhist=0


I searched for American Standard AS143 on Amazon, eBay, Home Depot and Lowes and found nothing.

I then did a new internet search using American Standard AS143 for the search term.

Luckily I found the exact rebuild kit here.

https://www.diydirectsupply.com/as1...ee-handle-tub-and-shower-rebuild-kit-binford/

So now I just have to clean up the grout lines using an old tooth brush and then touch up the grout between the tiles. Installation of the new valve parts should finish things up.

The old style 1 inch thick full plaster walls from the 1950's is hard to beat for longevity.

I also found a new wall mounted soap dish at Home Depot. This is mounted inside the tub shower area. The old original unit has partially rusted out. The new unit is pretty much an update of the old style. The unit is the exact size to fit in the tile opening, so I also lucked out there. No tile work.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frankli...oap-Dish-with-Bar-in-Chrome-D2498PC/100345753

 

[Ladiesman217]

These search terms also work well.

American Standard Shower Rebuild Kit


https://www.bing.com/images/search?...9D05960F547B91A86C3DF040BFB5D4855&FORM=IDBQDM


From this search I found that Home Depot has a different brand kit for this valve. It is called American Standard Trac-Line Series at Home Depot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/KISSLER...ne-Shower-Valve-Rebuild-Kit-RBK0033/204999562

 

[Ladiesman217]

Doing an internet search for tract line instead of trac line I came up with the Lasco version. Tract Line is the correct description.

American Standard rebuild kits are available in Colony, Heritage, Renu, and Tract Line. Both 2 and 3 handle versions are available.

These rebuild kits are always easy to find after you know how to find them!


https://www.amazon.com/LASCO-01-9409-American-Standard-Handles/dp/B009XD398A

 

[Ladiesman217]

American Standard, probably Colony

American Standard is correct. That was a great starting point to search for the correct replacement hardware.

Going back to the first post, it is now clear that the TL stamp on the trim means Tract Line.

 

[Ladiesman217]

I found another American Standard Tract Line rebuild kit. All the rebuild kit descriptions varied just enough so that they could not easily be found by an internet search.

This search term that I used for this search:

American Standard three handle bath and shower repair kit

https://www.bing.com/images/search?...ree+handle+bath+shower+repair+kit&FORM=HDRSC2


The repair kit code found here is TPC-tl3-kit.

https://www.guillens.com/buy/product/tl3-kit/405812

 

[Ladiesman217]

Purchased a new American Standard tub spout. Matches my 4 3/8" long extension pipe as well as the new valve repair kit.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CN7UFI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Mnoone]

Bumping up an old thread, but I figured it's better to consolidate knowledge in one place.

My tub has slowly started to leak. It used to be a drip a day kind of leak. Now it's a few drips an hour. Definitely getting worse. I intend to rip the whole thing out in a few years - but I think this should be fixed before that.

I have a two handle American Standard Tract Line faucet. See picture.

Issue 1: I can get the handle screws out - but the handles themselves are stuck. I don't want to put too much force on them in case I rip the fixture out of the wall. I sprayed a bit of liquid wrench on them to hopefully convince them to move. Any other suggestions? Maybe torch the outer piece a bit to get it to expand?

Issue 2: what rebuild kit? I found:
Lincoln Products 111828
American Standard TL5KIT (I think this is actually from American Standard?)
Palmetto P021-012 (I think this is manufacturer?)

Curious if there is an obvious choice here. The first one is shockingly cheap at $25.61.

Thank you in advance for your help!!

Edit: hot handle came off but cold is still stuck. Gave cold some more liquid wrench. Any suggestions for how to remove the valve stems? The nut is inside the tile wall and is pretty much up against the edge of the tile. Maybe some plumbers sockets might be able to squeeeeeeze in there?

Second edit: cold handle came off after hitting it with a torch.

Third edit: I used the Lincoln Products rebuild kit. Was fine. Only was able to replace 1/2 of my valve seats as one was completely stuck. Problem seems to be fixed.