toolz_not_toyz,
On the valve thing, a lot of valves do not have o-rings. If your valve has o-rings, you can replace them. Yes, there is a bunch of o-rings out there. You can take your chance and replace with something similar, but if PT has them, I would get the ones that they were made for the valve in question. I you do not have o-rings, and the valve is leaking, it just depends on how much you can tolerate before fixing. Metal to metal wear is just that, once it wears , there is no fixing. Some might say, find a new shaft, but that would be difficult as they are made to almost match. If the body of the valve is worn, then what. You have to replace. Is it a solid body valve with three stems? If it is sectional, you can separate the sections, and replace just the one that is leaking, and at the same time, I would try and find some hex bolts to put things back together. The valve cover you refer to is just a cover to cover things like the float function, and that part is not pressurized. Your other option is to take the valve to a hydraulic shop and let them test and repair, since they would know about the correct o-ring, etc. Be sure and ask them if they guarantee their work? Good luck