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  #31  
Old 02-04-2009, 11:00 AM
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tc1234c tc1234c is offline
 
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Alfio,

The SB actually requires to replace BOTH the brass and plastic with a foam float! When my original carb was flooded in 4/07, Bart replaced it with another carb. When I looked at the photo of the float during my carb mod, my floats look exactly the same as Steves. They don't look like foam! I think neither of us are compliant with the SB!
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  #32  
Old 02-04-2009, 11:13 AM
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Lycosaurus Lycosaurus is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tc1234c View Post
The SB actually requires to replace BOTH the brass and plastic with a foam float!
You are correct, Ted. SB says to replace both types of floats. This where-in lies the beauty of experimental aircraft, in that you can use judgment and assess your own risk.

The issue with the brass float was wear over the extended life of the carburetors. This wear should have been caught at overhaul time, and not have been placed back into service. I believe the affected units were limited in numbers (I recall reading this somewhere but lost track of the reference). In hindsight, the brass floats were much better (low failure rate) than what was used to replace them. With the benefit of that hindsite, and Bart's opinion, I am back with brass floats. Don't know how the new plastic floats will behave over time .... so, better the devil you know. [edit: confirmed that I have new Kelly Aerospace floats now. They are not covered by SB]


For people reading this out there ... I am not a carb expert (by any stretch of the imagination). Contact your engine builder .... or maybe Mahlon can chime in with his opinion.



Edit:
Brian C. on VAF thread indicates the the new ones are supposed to be smurf blue
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?p=265396
More good info on that thread...
Incidently, I checked with Aerosport as to what brass float was installed: Kelly Aerospace PN CF666-915
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Last edited by Lycosaurus : 02-04-2009 at 12:36 PM. Reason: Provide SB link from VAF, and float PN
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  #33  
Old 02-04-2009, 11:40 AM
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Just searched the old threads. The foam float is SMURF BLUE. May be that Steve and I have. Need to go to the airport and take off the cowl to check the number on the carb. Just keep my fingers closed.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...t=32931&page=2


2/4/09: I verified that I have I.C. number 15 on my carburetor. It has new foam floats.
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Last edited by tc1234c : 02-05-2009 at 03:39 PM. Reason: new information
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  #34  
Old 02-04-2009, 12:00 PM
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Lycosaurus Lycosaurus is offline
 
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Ted and Steve,

I update my previous post with the following:
Brian C. on VAF thread indicates that the new ones are supposed to be smurf blue
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?p=265396
More good info on that thread...
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Last edited by Lycosaurus : 02-04-2009 at 12:36 PM.
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  #35  
Old 02-04-2009, 12:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lycosaurus View Post
I believe someone referred to the problem floats as 'smurf blue' which looks like yours, I guess. Seems they soften up even with avgas, as evidenced by other VAF members, and will fill up with fuel .... not good. New plastic floats are supposed to be better, but I just don't know what the compatibility with mogas will be. It may just be fine, but I don't think they would test for it anyway.
The Smurf Blue float is the latest design and what is recommended by the SB/Volare.

The hollow translucent white plastic ones and the solid foam ones (I think these are black) that are not Smurf Blue are the problem children along with the certain brand of brass ones.

The problem with the brass one is that unless you know for sure what manufacturer made the thing, you have no idea if you should replace it or not.
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Last edited by Brantel : 02-04-2009 at 12:18 PM.
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  #36  
Old 02-04-2009, 12:31 PM
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Lycosaurus Lycosaurus is offline
 
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Thanks for chiming in, Brian, and correcting me on the smurf blue floats. I have corrected my previous posts accordingly so my posts don't induce others in error before they get to read yours.

My new float is Kelly Aerspace... for which the SB should not apply.

[edit] ... and here's the SB from Kelly Aerospace, if you happen to have one of their brass floats

http://www.kellyaerospace.com/servic...rass_float.pdf
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Last edited by Lycosaurus : 02-05-2009 at 03:05 AM. Reason: link corrected (removed indent)
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  #37  
Old 02-04-2009, 12:36 PM
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Brantel Brantel is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lycosaurus View Post
My new float is Kelly Aerspace... for which the SB should not apply.
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Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
Check out my RV-10 builder's BLOG
RV-10, #41942, N?????, Project Sold
---------------------------------------------------------------------
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB
Lyc. O-360 carbed, HARTZELL BA CS Prop, Dual P-MAGs, Dual Garmin G3X Touch
Track N159SB (KK4LIF)
Like EAA Chapter 1494 on Facebook
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  #38  
Old 02-04-2009, 08:45 PM
chaskuss chaskuss is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lycosaurus View Post
Thanks for chiming in, Brian, and correcting me on the smurf blue floats. I have corrected my previous posts accordingly so my posts don't induce others in error before they get to read yours.

My new float is Kelly Aerspace... for which the SB should not apply.

[edit] ... and here's the SB from Kelly Aerospace, if you happen to have one of their brass floats

http://www.kellyaerospace[/indent].com/service_pdf/SL027_A_brass_float.pdf
Alfio,
Your web link didn't work for me. Is it just me, or is there an error in the link?
Charlie Kuss
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  #39  
Old 02-04-2009, 08:55 PM
RVadmirer RVadmirer is offline
 
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Take the [/indent]out!

http://www.kellyaerospace.com/servic...rass_float.pdf
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  #40  
Old 02-05-2009, 03:06 AM
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Lycosaurus Lycosaurus is offline
 
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Default Link fixed to previous post

Quote:
Originally Posted by chaskuss View Post
Alfio,
Your web link didn't work for me. Is it just me, or is there an error in the link?
Charlie Kuss
Fixed the link ... as mentioned, I had an indent in there. Sorry about that ....
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Last edited by Lycosaurus : 02-05-2009 at 03:12 AM.
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