I got 10 of them on this go-around. (ahem). I kept adding some until the shipping price per keg fell to $5.
I also happened to have about 20+ tops from Mountain_men. Out of the first 4, 3 of the release valves leaked.
After taking apart the release valves, I realized that there's a replaceable o-ring in there. I looked through my spare parts box, and sure enough I had the right size. I installed one to try it out, and sure enough, it worked great! If I remember correctly, the size is #36. I think it's the SECOND smallest size that Home Depot carries.
One thing about the o-ring is that it looks like it doesn't want to really stick on there. You have to pull the lever in the open position before you can install it. Once the o-ring and valve are installed in the keg lid, the o-ring will be compressed and it will work.
Just thought that I'd pass this along.
So far I've restored 3 kegs, with 3 more with oxyclean soaking in them. The insides are all pretty clean, the outside, not so clean.
I got 10 of all kinds. Some have plastic in-tubes, some are centered, some are offset. Some are blue, most are black. Some tops are split, some one-handle is missing, etc. They're all usable.
Out of the 3 that I've put back together, none of them had problems except for the top's release valve which is not related really since they came from a different source.
My procedure:
Remove both fittings (7/8" wrench and some required a hammer)
Remove the dip tubes
Press out the poppets from the top using small needle-nose pliers (I get more leverage than a screwdriver)
Remove the dip tube o-rings
Remove the fitting o-rings
Put all parts inside the keg
Put one scoop of oxyclean
Fill as full as I can with hot water
Soak for 2 hours or so.
Drain out, rinse.
Install new dip tube and fittings o-rings
Install new lid o-ring onto new lid
(Replace release valve o-ring if necessary)
Pressure-test.
Done. Having a homebrew right now.
MC