I have a 1983 empire gravity direct vent furnace the pilot light will not stay lit. if I hold the valve in it will but as soon as I let go of it to turn it to on the pilot light shuts off.

You likely have a bad thermocouple or power pile as the case may be.

Did they have power piles 30 years ago?

Did they have power piles 30 years ago?

Not sure

You likely have a bad thermocouple or power pile as the case may be.

What is the power pile

What is the power pile

Similar to a thermocouple but generates a higher millivolt.

Did they have power piles 30 years ago?

Yes, they did. My first apartment, back in the stone age, had a gas fired space heater with a powerpile.