Petcock/sediment bowl conundrum

[rastas]

Hi Folks (new member= rastas)
Good points/ideas on sediment bowls and mods, excellent point on safety BigDog.
Has anyone experienced issues (leakage etc.) with ball valves in fuel lines?
I am impressed with this forum's participants, respect,quality of information detail etc. (and the "funnies")
Hope to be helpful as well. Jim

[Bob McCarty]

g.Has anyone experienced issues (leakage etc.) with ball valves in fuel lines?

I have not personally used a ball valve, but I know a lot have been installed without problems. A search might find some threads and I know there is a "how to" that Rudi did years about how he did it. If you plan to use a rubber gas line, be aware that you are risking a possible fire issue if the line is near the manifold and it's still recommended to use the steel gas line.

[Matt Kirsch]

There have been some epic debates on sediment bowl vs. ball valve and paper filter.

Sediment bowls can be problematic with regards to leaking. CAN be problematic. It's not a foregone outcome, and most of it is caused by the base being warped from overtightening, which in turn is due to a bad gasket.

I'm sure ball valves can leak too. In most cases though the leak is because you did something wrong.

Frankly it's a six of one half dozen of the other situation. Use whatever makes you comfortable, whatever you like. The tractor will run either way.

[Pap]

Welcome to the forum Jim. Look around and enjoy the ride.

[rastas]

I was thinking more in line of convenience to shut off fuel after each use and turning fuel on before use. Also to further detail, installing the valve between the tank and sediment bowl. I feel the sediment bowl has a very useful purpose in catching/showing debris. The valve on the bowl tends to be finicky in adjusting the stem seal to not leak and still be able to operate it's multiple rotations easily. Jim

[rastas]

Thanks for the welcome Pap. I have enjoyed and learned a lot from this forum in the past few months even though l've owned, Farmalls most of my adult life, starting with a Cub. Started operating a Farmall M when I was 9 and it was new(1950) and own that tractor along with 3 Cubs and a number of others. Sorry about getting wordy. Jim

[Eugene]

I've been using ball valves as fuel shut off for years. No problems. I also use an inline fuel filter instead of a sediment bowl.

For the Cub I had to bend the shut off handle into a 90 degree angle to clear the touch control.

[Pap]

I have used and still do use inline ball valves and inline filters. They might not look as good as the sediment bowl valve but it's easier to get to and use.

[Clemsonfor]

g.Has anyone experienced issues (leakage etc.) with ball valves in fuel lines?

I have not personally used a ball valve, but I know a lot have been installed without problems. A search might find some threads and I know there is a "how to" that Rudi did years about how he did it. If you plan to use a rubber gas line, be aware that you are risking a possible fire issue if the line is near the manifold and it's still recommended to use the steel gas line.

In response to this and the OP question about ball valves. I put them on everything I can without a cut off. From pressure washers to lawnmowers. While I have never used one on my CUb I have on several mowers and they vibrate a pretty good bit. I just use the cheap plastic Chinese ones. I have only had one develop a leak and that was this year. I believe it was on my generator if I remember right which that single cylinder briggs vibrates like crazy! It had been on there for maybe 5 years or more. I just put another one on when I saw it when I went to use it. No more issue.

I'd say if your aware of issues that a rubber line may cause and are OK with that I wouldn't hesitate to use one.

[rastas]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm concerned as are others about using rubber fuel lines. What l had in mind is to use a 3/8" metal ball valve at the tank with the sediment bowl attached to that, with the original steel fuel line going to the carb. My '48 cub (which is very original,even has original dealer sticker visible) has manual lift so that helps with the space to work issue. This configuration should also be less obvious originality wise. Jim

[Barnyard]

My '48 cub (which is very original,even has original dealer sticker visible) has manual lift

Just curious if the serial number is anywhere between 38500 and 40500.

[Pap]

Jim considering your is very original I might think again about changing it out.
But it is your so you can do whatever you want to do to it.
I have a rubber line on mine and I don't have any problems with it. And also mine is Not very original.

[Clemsonfor]

If he pulled anything original off and kept it. He can always easily put back the changes.

[Pap]

Yup he could.
I am very well pleased with my rubber line.

[rastas]

Thanks for the comments guys.
Barnyard. - No it's 18XXX something

Pap - Yes l'm on the fence about doing this too. It would lower the sediment bowl probably 2 inches otherwise all original parts and all. Time might not allow for this. Too many projects. Jim