Tubes for Shinn wheels

[paulnuss]

I was wondering where you are finding tubes with the long-enough angled valve stem to fit the Taylorcraft's Shinn 6.00x6 wheels? There doesn't seem to be a way to spec the tubes to have a 90 degree valve, the ones I ordered in and got have a straight valve stem that won't line up with the hole. Some particular brand and model?

[N74DV]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

I forget the brand but we ordered tubes from Aircraft Spruce and at first I thought they'd never work because our previous tubes had the stem off to the side of the tube and at an angle. But after fiddling with them We found them to fit. The stems have to be forced over at an angle to get through the hole in the wheel and then we had to screw on a valve stem extension (available at any auto parts store or Walmart) once it was through.

No issues in the last 4 years with them installed this way.

[paulnuss]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

I already went that route, tubes from Aircraft Spruce, force the stem over at an angle, and use auto-parts (Oops, Certified Aircraft parts!) extensions. The tubes suffer from the forced-over stem, and I have had two flats this year from tube failure due to the forced angle. That is why I am looking for something that fits better. I know I used to have tubes with a long 90 degree elbow inlet; I'd like to buy something similar.

[N74DV]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

We lubricated our tubes and inside of tires with a hefty amount baby powder. Did you do the same as well?

[high time cub]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

http://www.gemplers.com/product/168047/TR87-90-Bent-Metal-Valve-Stem

[paulnuss]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

Very interesting, the Gempler valve stem, long 90 degrees. It appears one glues (vulcanizes) this item onto one's tube? Do you cut out the original valve stem and glue this over the hole? Have you done this successfully? Thanks for the idea, I'll have to try it. I can "custom fit" my 6.00 x 6 tubes to the old Shinn wheels!

[d.grimm]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

We spun a tire on the wheel of the Cub, took it off and went to the local tire store and had a new valve stem vulcanized on. That was 10 years ago, still going strong.
Dave

[flyguy]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

Question: What are "old" Shinn wheels? Different from "not old" Shinn wheels?

Next: I bought tubes from Desser (page 5 of Trade-A-Plane) of SoCal and Memphis TN. No problem with fit,ever, BUT all my tires on three T's have had a little nut on the valve stems to hold them in place.

I'm still using left-over baby powder from my first-born who is 40 now, chuckle.

DC

[paulnuss]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

Hello, "flyguy"! I don't know about "old" Shinn wheels; I thought they were all about the same. Yet the newest of them is fairly old, I'd suppose. But I am interested in a Part No. or brand or any info to get the tubes with the long 90 degree angle valve stem, just like you got. That is exactly what I need, and I've bought two sets and had to send them back because they are straight valves on the tubes, and won't come anywhere near feeding through the hole of my Shinn wheels. I do use nuts, obtained from a bicycle shop, to hold the correct valve stems in place. That seems to be the only source nowadays, the aircraft tire guys don't seem to have any. That way the valve stem stays in place, and won't push in to the rim if the tire pressure is low.

[flyguy]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

The ones I got from Desser were short too, but I didn't find they had to be bent at an angle and they never failed on me over the years. They were a bit of a pain to install, but I didn't have to force anything like people are discussing here. They were for 6.00 tires on the 12D that I owned before. I have 8.00's on my 12D now, but the tubes are the originals from when I bought the plane. Again kind of a pain to install with new tires I put on, but nothing drastic. Don't know where these came from.
Not very helpful for you I fear,
Darryl

[3Dreaming]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

Paul, I have never seen a 90 degree stem on a 6.00x6 tube for a T-Craft or any other airplane in the 30 years I've been working on airplanes. I've seen them on 5.00x5 tubes. As of late it seems that the valve stems have gotten shorter, so installing the nut on the stem is a must. If you are having stem failures you might be trying to run the tires on to low of airpressure. I know another tire application where this is a problem. If the pressure is to low the tire can slip on the rim tearing at the stem. On these light airplanes it is sometimes hard to tell if the tire is to low or not. Tom

[mulwyk]

Re: Tubes for Shinn wheels

I used valve extensions. Picture shows two types: on the left is a made in China WalMart extension, cheap plastic but works just fine.

On the right is a brass, machined, chrome plated, knurled beauty (made in USA!) from the farm supply store. It's heavier and costs twice as much as it's plastic chinese competitor...but hey. Guess which one I used on my Shinns.