Anybody know where Willie Wilson can get a float valve for his HAPI Ultra Carb?
Or do you recognize the one shown at http://www.krnet.org/misc/hapi_valve.jpg
. Or maybe have a whole carb you could sell him? See his message below:
>>We are surviving OK over here although sadly I have not been able to fly my
>>KR lately due to a frustratingly small fault. A u/s float needle valve in my
>>HAPI Ultra Carb.
The trouble was lack of full power correctly diagnosed as a faulty [sticking]
float needle valve. My long search for a replacement in the UK has fallen on
stony ground.
I tried the Sonex Aero Carb but found it unsuitable. Try as we might, it was
impossible to get an equal fuel mixture to both sides of the VW. The right
hand cylinders insisted in running too hot! I was advised that turning the
carburetor through 90 degrees on the inlet manifold would solve the problem.
Unfortunately there is insufficient room in the cowling to do that without ugly
modification so I have decided to try repairing the Hapi Carb instead as it has
given years of satisfactory service.
The real problem I have had trying to replace the 'float valve' is there is no
part number on it. I did try Great Plains but they were unable to help. I
measured the jet diameter to 2.95 mm. That might be called 3 mm. <<<
Thanks,
Mark Langford, Huntsville, AL
mail: N56ML "at" hiwaay.net
website: www.N56ML.com
----- Original Message -----
From: William Wilson
To: 'Mark Langford'
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 5:01 PM
Subject: An illusive spare
Hi Mark,
How are you? I hope not too much affected by the financial mess the
banks have got us all into! We are surviving OK over here although sadly I have
not been able to fly my KR lately due to a frustratingly small fault. A u/s
float needle valve in my HAPI Ultra Carb.
The trouble was lack of full power correctly diagnosed as a faulty [sticking]
float needle valve. My long search for a replacement in the UK has fallen on
stony ground.
I tried the Sonex Aero Carb but found it unsuitable. Try as we might, it was
impossible to get an equal fuel mixture to both sides of the VW. The right
hand cylinders insisted in running too hot! I was advised that turning the
carburetor through 90 degrees on the inlet manifold would solve the problem.
Unfortunately there is insufficient room in the cowling to do that without ugly
modification so I have decided to try repairing the Hapi Carb instead as it has
given years of satisfactory service.
Knowing HAPI I'm sure it will have come off an American motorcycle or car
carburettor somewhere! Maybe even a tractor!
Have you any idea where I could buy a replacement or indeed something
compatible? I have attached the valve dimensions for info.
Sorry to bother you, but of all the folks I know in the 'States', I guess you
are the most likely to know.
Otherwise life is good! To pass those cold winter days happily under cover I
have been restoring my father's old tractor which he bought in 1956 when I was
16 years old. [Picture attached.] Dad was a bit reluctant to part with things
but I persuaded him to change a habit of a life time. It was lying rusting in
the barn back at the old homestead but now it is in my garage looking like new.
The old obsolete single cylinder two stroke diesel had to be restored too and
ran for the first time in a decade this week!! It was very noisy as I still
have no silencer!!
I remember when I first ran the KR2 [at the same place] someone complained to
the noise abatement people who sent an officer round to see me. The tractor is
much noisier so I'm keeping my head down and off to make a silencer asp.!!
We hope you and the family are well and we look forward to meeting you again
one day. Indeed, if you're ever over here you must come and enjoy our Scottish
hospitality. I know we live in England, but like I tell my neighbours, I
bought a bit of it and Scotland starts as you pass the gate!
Margaret sends her love, me too, Willie Wilson
