Need Wing Tank fuel valve

[rcefird]

I need input/ideas for a replacement fuel cutoff valve to the rt. wing tank. Mine is mounted below the rt. dash and leaking. I think it is an imperial valve with 3/8 male npt fittings. I searched the archives and have pulled the valve apart and don't think it is repairable as it appeared scored pretty badly(I'll look again this week). Anyway my IA is a stickler for pma/faa aproved items so does anyone know of a replacement source? I probably can't go the hardware store route unless someone can tell me how to convince my IA. The closest thing I see is possibly the cub valve listed in some of the major suppliers catalogs.

Thanks
Randy

[NY86]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

The Luscombe crowd has one too. Unfortunately, they're a warring crowd too, and I don't know who to contact to get one. You could try Team Luscombe for starters.

[Guest]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

I think that Cessna 150's used the same valve, might try finding one of those at a salvage yard, used parts or get the Cessna # and check with Duncan Aviation, Lincoln, NE to see if they have one.

[astjp2]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

I have several, PM me if you want one. Tim

[blakecarl]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

Tim - Do you have any valves left for sale? I'd be interested in a couple.

Blake

[KewFlyer]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

Tim:

Same here. I would like two, if all possible.
Right one is gone [ beyond repair] and the left side valve continues to leak, even after refurbishing it. It mainly leaks at the connection, even after using FAA teflon, STC plumbers putty.

So, its time to replace them. Let me know $. Thanks

The Luscombe group has an approved valve for them, but not sure if it is approved for us..... as reported by Doug.

Ralph

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

I would like to see some of these leaking valves. I'm wondering is a select plate repair to the mating surfaces could eliminate the leaks. The ones I have are brass and don't leak. Need to look at what it would take to do a select copper plate and if it would lap in as well as the brass underneath.

Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

The reason they leak is either the little brass pin that is soldered into the back of the valve gets broke loose or the leather seal leaks.

I am working on getting some valves in and trying to get an actual approval. If somebody wants to just order comercial valve, I can provide part numbers depending on which style of valve you need. M/M, M/F, F/F, 3/8 NPT or 1/4 NPT. Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

The brass pin and the seal are both repairable. I assumed it was from pitting on the sealing surface that couldn't be lapped out. Why aren't we just fixing them instead of looking for replacements?
Hank

[blakecarl]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

I'm looking at replacing my valves because my assumption was that existing were not certified. See pictures. It's possible the left one is but I'd say it's likely the right one isn't. Can anyone tell from the photos if they are? Is there a certified valve available?

Blake

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

Left picture is of the original equipment valve. The right one is a hardware store valve. I have several of the hardware store type laying around and have seen lots of them on old planes (not mine). The hardware store ones I have are all metal and good for use with fuel (the valves are even good with alcohol!). They don't scream "NON AIRCRAFT!!!" so loud of you ditch the plastic dipped offset handle. If it had an antique handle like the original one I doubt anyone would ever notice.
Hank

I am more worried by the teflon tape. NO TEFLON TAPE ON FUEL FITTINGS!!!!!!!
By the way, the valves Taylorcraft used in the 40s were sold in hardware stores. Go figure!

[Guest]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

I'm looking at replacing my valves because my assumption was that existing were not certified. See pictures. It's possible the left one is but I'd say it's likely the right one isn't. Can anyone tell from the photos if they are? Is there a certified valve available?

Blake

Red handle valve is not an original valve, I do not recognize here it comes from.

The other one is an original valve, its ok.

[astjp2]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

The valve I have access to closely resemble the imperial valves for size and thread type..... They have glass impregnated teflon seals. Most people dont know that teflon asorbs water. Most mechanics dont know that most comercial valves use seals that will swell in gasoline or alcohol. The valve I use have the teflon seals tested in both avgas and mogas per the astm and ACO guidance. They will also outflow the orginal valves.

I repaired my original header tank valve by resoldering the pin and installing new packing it still seeped, so I replaced the POS. I slacked off on getting the valve certified under an stc because I dont have a manufacturing location. I can provide the parts and the OWNER can take the data and get it approved under 21.303b2 if they so desire.

The ones sold by the Luscombe foundation are only approved for the Luscombe under an engineering order. NO PMA that I can remember and no STC. They can do it for the luscombe. Tim

[astjp2]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

The valve I have access to closely resemble the imperial valves for size and thread type..... They have glass impregnated teflon seals. Most people dont know that teflon asorbs water. Most mechanics dont know that most comercial valves use seals that will swell in gasoline or alcohol. The valve I use have the teflon seals tested in both avgas and mogas per the astm and ACO guidance. They will also outflow the orginal valves.

I repaired my original header tank valve by resoldering the pin and installing new packing it still seeped, so I replaced the POS. I slacked off on getting the valve certified under an stc because I dont have a manufacturing location. I can provide the parts and the OWNER can take the data and get it approved under 21.303b2 if they so desire.

The ones sold by the Luscombe foundation are only approved for the Luscombe under an engineering order. NO PMA that I can remember and no STC. They can do it for the luscombe. Tim

[mulwyk]

Re: Need Wing Tank fuel valve

IMHO those old Imperial valves are a safety issue. The main tank valve on my project plane was frozen solid, it looked like it hadn't operated for 30 years. Previous owners must have just left it always in the open position and hoped they never had a fire. And it's very common to hear of Imperial valves that seep or drip gas into the cockpit.
"Upgrade to modern valves" should be at the top of everyones T-Craft to-do list.

Randy:
I'm not familiar with the J-3 valve sold by Spruce and others, but I'm guessing most IA's would view it as a logical substitute for the Imperial valve. Some folks have used the $30 Apollo 76-101 stainless steel ball valve. Since the Imperial valve is no longer made, I think the wording of AC 23-27 "Parts Substitution for Vintage Aircraft" would allow use of the Apollo valve with only a logbook entry. You can reference Aviat Service Bulletin #30, wherein Aviat's engineering dept. specifies the Apollo 76-101 as the substitute for the Imperial valve.