"RichK" wrote in message

Are the pilots adjustable in any way? I don't want to tear into it, if
it's
a lost cause.

To close this thread - I did adjust the pilot. Adj screw was under a bigger
cap screws, in the back of the valve. The adj screw was all the way out
counter-clockwise, which allows max gas flow to the pilot. Had to make good
5-10 turns clockwise, before the pilot flame started to get smaller. Set it
such that one of the jets just covered the thermocouple. It all well now.

This frunace may have been burning gas needlesly for 30 years - what a
waste. None of the repairmen that made maintenance calls ever noticed it?.
Perhaps too lazy to make this minor adjustment - why bother after all, when
the fee is the same.

Thanks to all who helped with the advice,

Rich