Fuel Selector Valve

Ask Questions and Offer Advice Related to the Cessna 120 & 140 Type

Moderators: 6643, 6183, V529

Forum rules
You must be a member of the Cessna 120-140 Association in order to post new topics, reply to existing topics, or search for information on this forum. Use the "Join" link in the red menu bar.
User avatar
6643
Posts: 2326
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: KLCI
Name: John C
Aircraft Type: 1946 C140/C90
Occupation-Interests: A&P, semi-retired
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by 6643 »

You cannot use the 4 position valve unless you also have, or add the pipe connecting the two airspaces of the tanks. There is a danger fuel starvation otherwise.

Legally, certification requirements state that if you can draw fuel from more than one tank at the same time, the airspaces of those tanks must be interconnected.
User avatar
6597
Posts: 331
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: Vancouver WA KVUO
Name: David Sbur
Aircraft Type: '46 140 0-200A
Occupation-Interests: Agriculture
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by 6597 »

John,

I can start another thread if that works on my discovery, I was just adding to the thread. Yes, I realize that the plumbing is different but thought there may be those in the fleet that may be interested and may be following this thread (140A's and later 120-140's serial# 14340 and up).
V529
Posts: 552
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: Michigan
Name: Victor G
Aircraft Type: C-120
Occupation-Interests: Work on airplanes till the cows come home..........they're still out.
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by V529 »

Univair makes a very modern FAA PMA fuel valve. It's paperwork includes all the engines for our aircraft listed on the Type Certificate. Not sure on their current pricing, but it's a great valve.
User avatar
bill_e
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:07 am
Location: Detroit Lakes, MN
Name: Bill
Aircraft Type: 140
Occupation-Interests: Aircraft powerplant systems engineer
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by bill_e »

V529 wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 8:05 pm Univair makes a very modern FAA PMA fuel valve. It's paperwork includes all the engines for our aircraft listed on the Type Certificate. Not sure on their current pricing, but it's a great valve.
I can confirm! Just had a Univair valve installed in mine and it has been working great so far. Took my A&P about an hour to install start to finish.
n9661a
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:51 am
Location: puyallup
Name: Terry
Aircraft Type: C140A-C140
Occupation-Interests: A&P, Flying, restoring old planes,
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by n9661a »

The weather head valve ports are not the same as original also the Allen valve is left,
Off, right, off. So how are you guys making them work
User avatar
6597
Posts: 331
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: Vancouver WA KVUO
Name: David Sbur
Aircraft Type: '46 140 0-200A
Occupation-Interests: Agriculture
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by 6597 »

Look in the Neal Wright archive articles for fuel selectors August 2005 at the bottom of the Forum list. Simple handle modification for L-R-Off on the Weatherheads.
6930
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: Illinois
Name: Mike
Aircraft Type: C140
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by 6930 »

The valve that was in my airplane was leaking. I noticed it because my needle valve in my Stromberg started to leak. I planned on pulling the plug out and lapping it to the body, but after I got it apart realized that the plug was not brass, but Delrin or some other polymer.

So, I ended up replacing the whole valve with the PMA'd version of the Allen valve from Aircraft Spruce. Cost of the valve was a whopping $549.00. The non-PMA'd version for experimental aircraft costs $200, but I just couldn't bring myself to install the non-PMA'd version for this important component in my airplane. Plus, I wanted my mechanic to inspect and log the installation and I didn't think he would do so with the version without the paperwork.

It was a very unpleasant chore to be honest. Not complex per say, just difficult because of the limited access and having to juggle the alignment of three different fuel lines. I installed new AN823-6D elbows and lined them up with the orientation of the old elbows before installation which certainly helped...but it was still a challenge. Orientation of the elbows aside, the fit was perfect.

Anyway, install went great. No leaks, valve works like a champ. It is a much better valve than that POS that was originally installed.
Mike Pastore, N2635N
Naper Aero, LL10
User avatar
8413
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:11 pm
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Name: Josh C
Aircraft Type: 140A
Occupation-Interests: Telecommunications
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by 8413 »

Hi Mike,
Sounds like your old valve had the Jensen fuel valve STC which replaces the brass plug with one made of some kind of composite. My understanding is that it eliminates galling of the brass plug against the seat and therefore make the valve easier to turn and hopefully less maintenance.
Josh
6930
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: Illinois
Name: Mike
Aircraft Type: C140
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by 6930 »

Hi Josh,

I expect you are correct. Though, as you noted, it was turning fine but the Delrin plug was scored and not leak tight. At this point, I am happy with the Allen valve but sure wish it wasn't so expensive!

Thanks!
Mike Pastore, N2635N
Naper Aero, LL10
User avatar
8413
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:11 pm
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Name: Josh C
Aircraft Type: 140A
Occupation-Interests: Telecommunications
Contact:

Re: Fuel Selector Valve

Post by 8413 »

Thanks for your reply Mike. My 140A also has the Jensen fuel plug STC. So far, it is going good. Time will tell I suppose. I hope your issue was due to neglecting to polish up the seat prior to assembling the new plug and not some kind of failure of the plug itself due to the material used. I have a Marvel carb so it typically doesn't leak fuel out of the carb even with the fuel selector on either or both tanks. So, I'm not sure how I would know if I have the same issue unless it leaks out of the valve stem.
Josh
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 8 guests