I re read my post. Assume a tire pump. It cannot inflate the tire unless there is a post in the nozzle that depresses the pin inside the valve stem. In the event that this stove ALSO has a ball bearing and spring assembly inside the fitting then if the system is pressurized it would hold said pressure until the ball bearing was depressed to release it. I do not think that is the case however if it is drilling out that spring and ball bearing assembly keeping the exterior brass fitting intact as well as the following copper tubing run intact there should be no issues adapting the new regulator assembly onto it while using teflon or pipe dope should pose no risk assuming the pressure is the same as it was before right?