Van's fuel valve... Hard to turn???

gasman · #1 08-11-2009, 11:22 AM

In this post..... http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...6&postcount=90 TOOBUILDER brought up ONE GOOD POINT. The fuel valve that Van's uses in their kits. Mine was tight and hard to change positions. I priced the Andair valve and then came back and tore apart my valve to see what was going on in there.

This is a great valve....... It is such a simple valve that almost nothing can go wrong with it. But it is hard to operate. I solved that problem in mine and now it works as smooth as the best gas valve out there.

Remove the handle, unscrew the top of the valve and remove the spring. SNIP OFF ONE LOOP bend the end level with the top of the spring and then reinstall. Do not use any fuel lube on the cone, install it dry. The spring had one too many loops and was causing it to "stack" and would force the cone too hard on to the seat.

You will like your new valve.................

gasman · #2 08-11-2009, 11:09 PM

Well, this is a new record.......... 12 hours and no comments.

Does this mean that this is a good mod? Or are people just tired of talking about fuel systems???

asav8tor · #3 08-11-2009, 11:24 PM

Ok, I'll bite. The never ending fuel valve....

I had the old brass on brass valve and switched it out with Andair. Happy with Andair, it looks like a part off the space shuttle but many are also happy with the stock valve.

DanH · #4 08-12-2009, 07:25 AM

<<The spring had one too many loops and was causing it to "stack" and would force the cone too hard on to the seat.>>

You mean coil binding, ie spring coils in contact with each other?

647jc · #5 08-12-2009, 07:34 AM

I'm also using Van's fuel selector and am quite happy with it except it is sometimes very stiff switching from one position to another. The stiffness also prevents me from feeling the detent position so I'm not always sure the valve is centered on the position. The stiffness seems to come and go, one day it will be very stiff and the next day not so much.

So, I think perhaps your modification to remove one loop off the spring may be worth a shot. I don't recall exactly how the valve is constructed so my question is; if removing a loop from the spring causes the valve cone not to fully seat, what will the result be, possible air leak from empty tank, unable to fully shut off fuel, etc.? I think the modification is worth trying provided the possible problems it may create are identified.

Barry · #6 08-12-2009, 08:24 AM

If the fuel valve had a both selector position there would be no need to turn it.

Ok I am out of here.

Barry VAF 1936

Bob Martin · #7 08-12-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asav8tor

Ok, I'll bite. The never ending fuel valve....

I had the old brass on brass valve and switched it out with Andair. Happy with Andair, it looks like a part off the space shuttle but many are also happy with the stock valve.

How did the switch out go? Did you have to re-do some fuel lines? or are the inputs and outputs in the same location as the Van's valve? Thanks!

Steve · #8 08-12-2009, 08:51 AM

I must have a fuel valve from the same production run as JC. Some days it is kinda stiff and on other days is turns easily. Although, I just bought Phillips avgas at Pullman, WA. The valve rotated exceptionally easy.

gasman · #9 08-12-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 647jc

So, I think perhaps your modification to remove one loop off the spring may be worth a shot. I don't recall exactly how the valve is constructed so my question is; if removing a loop from the spring causes the valve cone not to fully seat, what will the result be, possible air leak from empty tank, unable to fully shut off fuel, etc.? I think the modification is worth trying provided the possible problems it may create are identified.

To snip one coil from the spring will allow the valve to seat in with less pressure bus still remains leak free. It is a taper fit so the spring will still press the cone into the seat, just not as hard.

As DAN H. would say..... GASMAN...<<The spring had one too many loops and was causing it to "stack" and would force the cone too hard on to the seat.>>

DAN H......You mean coil binding, ie spring coils in contact with each other?

Toobuilder · #10 08-12-2009, 05:29 PM

Though I never did the spring trick, I certainly disassembled that brass thing a number of times to clean, polish, lubricate, etc. No "fix" was ever very long lived. I purchased the Allen unit from Spruce, and it was the best $160 bucks ever spent. Smooth and with a positive detent, it's a great unit.