Warbird Information Exchange

My 220 Continental powered Stearman has a non-stock fuel on/off valve. I'm having some trouble finding information on it. I need to replace the rubber seals in it. One seal looks like it might have been an O ring at one time, the other appears to be a shaft seal. I'm grounded until I can get this thing working. Any information or leads would be much appreciated.

On the casting: PUBCO, 11-1942-1, and 12-7-2342-2

Stamped: 610413 (maybe a S/N?)



Albert Stix Jr.
Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
Creve Coeur Airport
Maryland Heights, Missouri (also spelled Misery)

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

'Bout time you started that annual! Can't help with the valve unfortunately.

How about putting a D-3 back in?

Joe Hunt overhauls them; chances are he has some cores on the shelf as well. 919-956-2006

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I've heard that D-3 valves are now more available than they were in the past and many of them have been rebuilt without the use of the "cork cone" that always seemed to leak. The problem is, the on/off fuel system on my Stearman is left over from it's former life as a sprayer/duster and it has a special bracket that holds the valve in place. If I can get some new seals for this one, it will be faster than converting back to stock. The bracket has a small sticker from "Aero Repair" and lists a small town in Arkansas with a four digit phone number, no area code or prefix. I guess it's a good thing that Ace Hardware and the local NAPA store carry so many Stearman parts!

OK BDK, so my annual has taken three years. It was after all, a very thorough inspection.

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

You're doing the right thing Albert, those Stearmans are so complicated after all...

Looks like or is similar to a Parker fuel selector. The part number seems to be a Parker number.
The ones I have repaired I used MS O-Rings suitable for fuel on the shaft. They were a selector in P-51s and P-38s, not a shut off valve.
It has been awhile so I don't recall the o-ring size required for the Mustang and such.
Is the other seal besides the o-ring rubber or a carbon type of material?
I would make a new gasket, get an MS o-ring that can handle fuel to match the original, clean it up and reassemble opposite of dis-assembly. Pressure test to a few PSI and use liquid soap to check for a leaks.
Maybe some one else can be of further assistance.
Rich

Thanks 51fixer, I'll start looking through a P-51 parts book, there's one at Creve Coeur, and see if I can spot the valve/selector. If I can ID the part, I'm sure I can find the seals. Being a duster/sprayer mod, it makes sense that it would be from a more complex a/c type. When I Googled the PUBCO name, I did get a reference to a repair kit for a toilet valve (1939-1946). Yikes

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

Toilet valve! Now I know its from a duster!
To clarify it appears to be a parker part no and is similar to a selector valve in a Mustang or other warbirds.
This has only one port so is a shutoff valve. I was hoping the shaft dia would be the same size. The inlet size looks like 3/4 pipe with a reducer. The carbon blocks for sealing the ID look very parker in design.
Might have been part of a transfer system or a firewall shut off originally.
Rich

Years ago I pulled the hopper controls out of a duster. I bet if I had taken a look, I would’ve found Farmall or John Deere P/Ns on them.

_________________

Commemorative Air Force
Experimental Aircraft Association
Warbirds of America

What are you waiting for? Join us!

Best way to contact me- email my last name @gmail.com

Al,

Forward your photo to Al Holloway at Holloway Engineering. He is a Stearman guy whose buisiness is rebuilding Antique engines. He recently changed his email adress and the one below is correct.

radial@inreach.com

His web site is http://www.radialengine.com/

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Jim Bloomer

My old duster project has exactly the same valve in it. They're an excellent valve - far superior to the original one - but I have no idea where to look for seals for one. If you find out anything I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Dan
warbirds@shaw.ca

Dan,
I've found several other Stearmans that have the same valve but nobody seems to know much about them. They seem to work so well that nobody that I've talked to has ever had to rebuild one yet. I have not had much time to work on the Stearman lately, too many turret parts to sort, but I hope to get back to the annual inspection this week. I'll let you know what I find out, if I ever do find anything.

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Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

I have used a Valve from the Beech 18 gasoline heater on many of the Stearman's that I restored. This valve uses O-Rings and is easy to mount in the stock location.

Check with Dave Warren at Southwestern Areo Exchange (918) 272-9815
he is the go to guy for Twin Beech parts
Jim Dross

Dave was a super guy, but he passed away last winter. I believe his family still runs the business.

_________________

Commemorative Air Force
Experimental Aircraft Association
Warbirds of America

What are you waiting for? Join us!

Best way to contact me- email my last name @gmail.com

Albert - if you want my old valve I no longer have a need for it. I was going to use it in my rebuild until I tripped over an overhauled "more original" type of one last week that I've decided to use instead.

PS: A friend of mine picked it up off the bench last week and recognized it. He says they're commonly used in the oilfield.

Dan