Funny you mention the “universal” flapper—ran into the same headache with a 1950s American Standard toilet. The so-called universal one was just a hair too big, and I didn’t realize it until I noticed the water bill creeping up. Ended up tracking down a weirdly specific gasket online. With faucets, I’ve had decent luck with Price Pfister too, though their older stuff can be hit or miss for parts. Ever tried tracking down internals for vintage Crane fixtures? That’s a whole other rabbit hole... Curious if anyone’s found a modern brand that actually holds up as well as those old tanks and taps did.
That “universal” label is such a joke sometimes. I’ve been burned by it more than once—especially with toilets from the 50s and 60s. You’d think after all these years, someone would make a flapper that actually fits those old tanks, but nope. I had to do the same thing: measure the old gasket, hunt around online, and hope the one I ordered wasn’t just another “almost fits” situation. It’s wild how a tiny gap can send your water bill through the roof.
Price Pfister’s a mixed bag for me too. Their newer stuff seems okay for the price, but I’ve had handles get loose or cartridges start leaking after a couple years. The older ones, if you can find parts, are tanks. Crane, though... man, that’s a whole different beast. I tried to fix a friend’s 1960s Crane faucet once and ended up on some obscure plumbing forum just to figure out what the part was even called. Ended up swapping the whole thing for a modern Delta because it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
If you’re looking for something that’ll last, I’ve had decent luck with Kohler and Delta. They’re not as heavy as the old brass stuff, but at least you can still get parts without going on a scavenger hunt. Here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Always take the old part to the store if you can. Even if it’s gross. Matching it up in person saves so much time.
2. Don’t trust “universal” unless you’ve checked the measurements twice.
3. For toilets, if you’ve got an old model, check online forums for the exact year/model. Sometimes there’s a niche supplier who specializes in vintage gaskets and seals.
4. For faucets, stick with brands that have been around a while and still support their older models. Delta’s customer service has bailed me out more than once.
It’s definitely not as easy as it should be, but you’re not alone in the rabbit hole. Sometimes I wonder if these old fixtures are worth the trouble, but then I see how flimsy some of the new stuff feels and I get why folks want to keep the originals going.
Totally get what you mean about “universal”—I’ve wasted more money on those than I care to admit. One thing I’d add: if you’re on a budget, sometimes it’s worth checking local plumbing supply shops instead of the big box stores. They’ll sometimes have those oddball parts or at least point you in the right direction. Also, if you’re swapping out old faucets, don’t toss the original hardware right away. I’ve reused washers and screws from 60s fixtures that fit better than anything new. And yeah, Delta’s customer service is solid, but I’ve actually had decent luck with American Standard too—parts are usually easy to track down and not crazy expensive. Just my two cents.
I swear “universal” means “fits nothing I own.” I tried one of those kits and ended up with a leaky faucet and a bruised ego. Agree on keeping old parts—my house is basically held together by mystery screws at this point. Delta’s been good to me, but American Standard’s toilets seem to survive anything.
I hear you on the “universal” kits—half the time, it feels like they’re made for some alternate universe where all plumbing is standardized. I’ve learned to keep a bin of random washers and weird-sized nuts just in case. Honestly, Delta’s cartridges have saved me a ton of hassle, but I did have one Moen faucet that outlasted everything else in my last place.
American Standard toilets are tanks, though. I dropped a wrench on one (don’t ask) and it didn’t even chip. Meanwhile, I’ve had a couple of Kohler handles snap off way too soon for my liking. Sometimes I wonder if the older stuff was just built tougher, or if I’m just getting less patient with repairs as I get older... Either way, if you find a part that fits perfectly, hang onto it like gold.