#1
IP: 75.36.140.46
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Drain valve for Racor fuel filter/water separator
Hello Afourians!
Thanks to the excellent advice from this site I purchased the Racor fuel filter/water separator (Model 320R-RAC-02) from MMI a couple of years ago. I currently unscrew the drain plug to check for water and debris, but my access in that area of the engine compartment is limited and it is difficult to keep from spilling gas. I noticed in the Parker/Racor literature for the 320-RAC series (attached) that a UL listed brass drain valve with plug (part No. RK 19492) is an option for the -02 model (metal bowl) that many of us Afourians use. Do any of you have one of these installed? Any pros or cons? It would certainly make it easier for me to drain the bowl on mine. Looks like a reducing bushing would be required since the metal bowl is 3/8" NPT and the valve is 1/4" NPT. Many thanks.
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Ken '73 Cal 29 "Mana" |
#2
IP: 108.48.211.208
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Ken..sorry..i don't have any personal experience with the kit you describe, but I do have the same Racor filter...my access is pretty good.. The only comment I have is a reducer could be a potential choke point for flushing debris.
If I understand the drain on Page 5, it looks like a pretty simple fuel petcock..can you find it in the same NPT thread size as the plug without the reducer and screw it directly into the bottom of the bowl? This past weekend I helped my buddy Spencer deliver a new to him C-30 with the same filter, and the drain plug was tighter than the filter..we ended up pulling the filter assembly off and removing the drain plug up on the dock where we could get some leverage on it...a drain plug kit that wasn't NPT would have been nice.
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-Shawn "Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109 "Twice Around" - '77 C-30, #511 with original A-4 & MMI manifold - SOLD! (no longer a two boat owner!!) Last edited by sastanley; 04-30-2013 at 09:28 PM. Reason: checked out the PDF |
#3
IP: 71.54.207.52
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I just went to NAPA and got a fuel petcock to replace that plug and another for the outlet. I did notice last weekend, before startup, that a drop of fuel had worked its way out the side of the petcock. (They're about a year old.) First "smell of gas" in my engine compartment in two years As I recall, they were pretty pricey for a brass fitting - I'd assumed the seats would be fuel-compatible.
I put a hose-barb on the end of the drain petcock, which puts it pretty low in the compartment - there's just room for something like a tuna can (actually I use a glass petri dish) underneath to catch the output. Last edited by toddster; 04-30-2013 at 10:27 PM. |
#4
IP: 199.173.225.33
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Any generic fuel valve would work, you don't have to buy one from Racor. That said, I am betting this violates one or more CFRs or ABYC codes. I would not do this without putting a plug in the valve when not using it.
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#5
IP: 75.36.140.46
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Must be USCG approved
Shawn, good point about finding a valve that is 3/8" NPT Male. Worth a look. Yes, I've had that same thing happen when removing the plug - had the whole spin-on filter come loose because I had the plug too tight - doh!
I think the issue is that possibly not all valves/petcocks are USCG/ABYC approved. That might account for the relatively high price (~$50 US) for the one supplied by Racor. However, is it approved for both diesel and gasoline? Some sites I looked at just mentioned diesel approval. Hmmmm. Joe db, agreed about the drain plug being required when not servicing. In my case it would be too easy to bump the valve lever and have a slow drip - yikes! I've sent an email to Ken at MMI parts. I'm sure he'll have some good advice.
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Ken '73 Cal 29 "Mana" |
#6
IP: 199.173.225.33
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FleaBay has approved marine fuel vlaves with 3/8" thread in the $30 range. They all seem female-female. If you can find one with a male end you'll save a few bucks. McMaster has them for about $10, but I can't seem to figure out which are approved for gasoline, if any.
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#7
IP: 71.54.207.52
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Oh, yeah. I could only find F/F. Had to include a close nipple in the assembly.
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#8
IP: 199.173.225.33
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#9
IP: 75.36.140.46
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Guys, thanks for the replies. Found this previous thread on the subject:
http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3166 Also, McMaster has a 3/8" M x F, UL/Marine listed, but not listed for gasoline: "UL/marine valves are for fuel oils (1 and 2) and LP gas. They can also be used in marine environments."http://www.mcmaster.com/#fuel-plug-valves/=mk96g9 Their "Standard" valve is listed for gasoline, but then again it's not UL/Marine... Lots of valves for diesel, so far only the 1/4" Racor for gas. The hunt continues...
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Ken '73 Cal 29 "Mana" |
#10
IP: 199.173.225.33
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I called their engineer. The gasoline valve is not UL approved for boats and the diesel valve supposedly does not have the right seals for gasoline. I asked what if I wanted a gasoline valve for a boat and got a long silence
Anyway, I have bought a bunch of fuel valves off FleaBay over the years and they have a UL stamp on them. I have no clue at all if they are rated for gasoline, but none have ever leaked Quote:
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