Re: installing zodiac alum. floor?
Jon: I have a surplus FC470; assuming the silver valves you are talking about are the same as my interconnecting valves, they can be lubricated. Zodiac makes a few tools for breaking them down/adjusting them. Or you could save the eight prices Zodiac likes to charge for their stuff and get the valves out with improvised tools. What I did was to remove the inner screw in valve, at which point you can see a nut down in the interconnecting valve itself. This can be reached with a deep socket and extension. It screws down over a spring, so remove carefully. there is a collar and a snap ring holding the "silver knob" in place. The snap ring is easy to get off; the collar is tedious but doable. There are two holes machined into the sides of the collar, set 180 degrees apart, at opposite sides of the collar. what I did was to insert two smaller allen wrenches into the holes, and twist the collar counterclockwise. Obviously, working that close to the main tube, you probably want to avoid using anything too sharp, in case the tool slips. Once you get the valve apart, clean out the old lube and any particles you find, re-lubricate, and reinstall. The spring loaded nut can be used to control how difficult it is to rotate the interconnecting valve. Hope this helps.
Also, if you know of anyone selling a used aluminum floor for an FC470 or Mk3 let me know. Thanks.