Need help with fuel shutoff identification

[beeryboats]

Hi guys,
When I tried to turn the fuel off on my project mod IV, the selector lever came off in my had. I bought what looked like the replacement from Spruce, but it does not have the lines crimped onto the valve like the old one. Can anyone point me the right way on this? Even John Mcbean told me Spruce.

[HighWing]

Jay,

This looks like an old one. I preferred to use aluminum tubeing between the header tank and fuel valve and then on to the engine compartment so went in another direction from that valve. Check Aircraft Spruce part number
05-23330


It has threaded fittings you can adapt to barbs and clamps for rubber hose if you prefer or AN flaired fittings for aluminum tubing If that will be your choice.

I would suspect with that valve, if you wanted to change out the tubing periodically, the valve would have to go as well.

[beeryboats]

Thanks Lowell,
That's what I was thinking, and doing, changing the valve and hoses. I took another photo that was out of focus. It showed the lines as well. Everything I saw at Spruce was hose barb. I'll look at your suggestion.
Thanks,
Jay

[beeryboats]

Here is a photo of the whole assembly. Due to the rubber lines crimped to the valve, I'm stuck looking for a direct replacement. Anyone seen one in an old catalog?
Thanks,
Jay

[Dutch]

That valve looks like the one that came with my mod III. But go to the kitfox website and look up the list of service bulletins listed. Bulletin #42 deals with that valve.

Dutch

[Paul Z]

If you can't find the replacement assembly. The fittings should be able to be reused, just cut the crimped fittings off and replace the hoses, some hose clamps, and a new shut off valve.

[Dutch]

Jay, I still have the valve in question, new in box. The part # on tag is 46018
The only difference that I can see is this one has male fittings on both ends.
I also have the little mounting bracket that is used to mount it under the panel. I will attempt to include some pics.Shoot me an offer & we'll work something out.

Dutch7294

7295

[beeryboats]

Wow! That sounds great. At lunch today I took my new valve with barb ends and the old one with lines to a hose and fittings company. They are going to order the hose and try to fab up a replacement for me. If that fails, and I should know in a few days, I'll hit you up. Ok?

[beeryboats]

My local hose and tube fab shop did me right. They special ordered the proper hose for the fuel I'm going to use and set me up with new fittings. It looks great! Even the wife thought it was a great deal. One more hurdle behind me. Thanks guys!

[Paul Z]

My father use to own a Rubber Goods Products company, I use to make hose assemblies for the Southern Paciffic RR. I was paid a whopping $1 per hour working for him. They are not difficult to make in the least.

[beeryboats]

My father use to own a Rubber Goods Products company, I use to make hose assemblies for the Southern Paciffic RR. I was paid a whopping $1 per hour working for him. They are not difficult to make in the least.

The modern products are amazing. Once this was put together, there is no way to pull it apart again. I tried! I consider it fit for flight, there is no way it's coming apart.

[EstesPark]

So...I'm dealing with the same thing currently. Kitfox referred me to a valve which has two 1/4 barbed hose clamps. The problem is it goes into the AN-6 females(I believe that is the size). Can't seem to find 1/4 inch hose with AN-6 males. I don't have a hose and fittings company near by. Any ideas where I might pick up 1/4 hose to AN-6? The valve is FV-11118, wicks part I believe.(This is a model 3)

[t j]

I installed one of these.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/minifv.php
The 3/8" Size. Not FAA approved. Been in for 7 years, no leaks.

I modified the stock Kitfox mounting hardware to mount it.
7882

7883

Cut the handle off a bit to fit in the mount.
7884

[EstesPark]

Thanks for the ideas.....I had actually seen your pics and that is the one I ordered along with the wicks. The A&P mechanic I am working with doesn't like it for various reasons. Any more ideas much appreciated.

[Danzer1]

Or you can go down to your local Home Desperate aircraft department and buy pretty much the same ball valve for less than 1/3rd the price!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mueller-Global-3-8-in-Brass-Full-Port-Threaded-Ball-Valve-107-732NL/202283797

Aircraft Spruce says "Not FAA Approved" and "The manufacturer does not have any documentation for use with av gas, however, there are many Aircraft Spruce customers that use these in experimental aircraft with av gas"

It always amazes me that "aircraft suppliers" feel justified in charging much more for non-aircraft parts.

Further amazes me that some feel compelled to pay it for non-aircraft parts.

[Paul Z]

The modern products are amazing. Once this was put together, there is no way to pull it apart again. I tried! I consider it fit for flight, there is no way it's coming apart.
Tha hose assemblies I made were crimped just the same to disassemble it required a vise and hack saw to cut the wedged sleeve off. The is no way you can pull, by hand or even using vice grips, pull the fittings out.

[jrevens]

[QUOTE=t j;44666]I installed one of these.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/minifv.php
The 3/8" Size. Not FAA approved. Been in for 7 years, no leaks.

Like Danzer said, you can get these valves at a hardware store. The guy who used to sell these to Spruce was a friend of mine (now "gone west). He'd buy them from Ace Hardware & sell them to Spruce. If you search around a little you'll see that many of these valves are made in Italy. They're usually a pretty good valve, and perfectly compatible with fuel. They are full-flow ball valves and usually have teflon seals. Some bodies are plated, some not (brass). If you look carefully you'll find that some have a packing gland at the handle stem that can be tightened if the valve starts to leak a little with wear & age. I like that, but they seem to last just fine either way. I've used one on my T-18 for 24 years, & I'm going to use a couple on my Kitfox. One thing to be aware of is that many of these valves have straight pipe threads (spt) instead of the normal tapered threads (npt). I've seen guys use the straight threaded ones with tapered threaded fittings - regular aluminum AN fittings, with apparent good success. I'm not recommending that, but with a good thread sealant it evidently works if you can get the fitting screwed in enough.

[EstesPark]

Thanks guys for all the good info.