Tubes for Shinn wheels...

[paulnuss]

I have tired of leaks from my ancient 1946 tubes, and decided to replace them (I only, and finally, replaced the original 1946 tires a couple years ago). However, nothing is ever simple. The replacement 6.00x6 tubes I received have a valve stem that won't go through the Shinn wheels. It appears something with a long stem, and an elbow-type shape, would be required. I haven't seen anything special in the way of replacement tubes in any catalogs. Anyone know about this item?

Also, I would like to buy retaining nuts for the tube valve stems, to thread onto the stem on the outside of the wheel. Then, if the tube has low pressure, putting the air chuck onto the stem won't push the stem back inside the wheel before opening the Schroeder valve. Anyone know a source for these?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

I haven't seen any special valve tubes but I do have a solution for pushig the valve into the wheel when you service a flat tire. Look around for a cheap inflation chuck (usually on a hand or foot pump) with a valve lock lever. Then you can attach the chuck to the valve BEFORE you put the air in and it is locked to the stem. There are some that also have a female threaded end that should work but I haven't tried that yet. I got the foot pump at a garage sale for about $.50 because it didn't work too well. I cut the hose off and put a bicycle valve stem on the hose with a hose clamp. Sort of a tire hose extension cord. Clamp the extension on the tire valve, pull lightly on the extension to keep the valve seated in the wheel hole and fill the tire. I actually came up with it for bike tires with the same problem but it works great on the Taylorcraft and is CHEAP.
Hank

[dedrekon]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

You don't need special valve stems and yes, they ARE too short. The solution is get the thin little retaining nuts and then once you get the nut on the stem just screw it down until you have enough stem through to make them usable....I have one T set up like that. You will not have a lot of valve stem sticking out with that solution.

The other solution (easier) is valve stem extensions. That's how 43457 is set up and it works very well. I'm sure you can buy them at any automotive supply store. Just get enough of the stem through the hole to screw on the extension and Voila!!


V

[Joel Severinghaus]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

Paul,

I recently ordered 6.00x6 tubes from Wag-Aero (catalog no. D-268-100, $41.95 each), and their valve stems fit my wheels just fine. Dumb luck, maybe.

I looked all over creation for those thin stop nuts that hold the valve stems in place on the wheels, and finally found some (for free) at a local motorcycle repair shop. I'd suggest calling around to motorcycle shops and ask if they might have any sitting in a parts bin that they removed from motorcycle inner tubes years ago.

[paulnuss]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

Thanks for the Wag-Aero p/n; I know I had bought tubes many years ago for my first Taylorcraft, and didn't run into this problem. These I ordered from Aircraft Spruce, U.S. Made good quality, etc, but the valve stem is too fat and too short to use in Shinn wheels. Maybe they'll take them back...

I will also check out the cycle shops, I too have looked everywhere else for the thin nuts to hold the valve stem, and they seem to have disappeared from the market. Thanks for the tip!

[N74DV]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

I suffered the same problem yesterday. I bought McCreary 6x6 tubes and was unable to install them. When I put the tubes that are in the Tcradft now up next to the new McCreary tube you could clearly see that the McCreary tubes valve stem stuck out straight from the tube whereas the old one has the valve stem angle up and quite an angle which facilitates inserting it into the rim.

There was no way the MCreary was going to fit unless I forced it and then the stem would be sitting at a forced angle and I'm not to sure I like that.

Surely there must be tubes out there that have the angles stems??

[high time cub]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

Surely there must be tubes out there that have the angles stems??

Yes, for tractors.... http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/list....17016564347329

[N74DV]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

clicked the link and searched the site extensively and found no 6x6 tubes.

[high time cub]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

Sorry DJ, just pointing out the bent and flexible tractor valve stems.

[robbie]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

Have used them, with a metal 1 inch extention, been on the plane for 5 years no problems.
I don't know what others are using but that's all I have found out there.

[paulnuss]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels...

I ordered the Wag-Aero tubes and they worked fine. Also, my local motorcycle shop guy gave me a lifetime supply of thin nuts to hold the vlave stem in place to the wheel, to assure being able to push against the Schroder valve without pushing it back into the wheel (needed only when air pressure becomes very low).