I checked the thermocouple and it is fine. The 45-50 year old valve is not opening. It is a single solenoid valve with just down the line from a small regulator. What I'm trying to find out is if the valve has to be replaced with a identical valve or if I can use a more modern universal replacement valve that operates at the same pressure and fits the same pipe.

We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.