Racor drain valves?

marks737

Active Member
Sep 15, 2009
333
NJ
Boat Info
2005 390 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSB 5.9
Has anyone put racor drain valves on their bowls for easier draining? There are two available. A brass ball valve and a plastic one with a barb for attaching a hose to. Thinking about adding these on my next fuel filter change. Thanks! drain valve 1.png drain valve 2.png
 
Yes I did when I had a 410 DA. They are great and make the filter change a breeze and no fuel spills. I used brass ones that I bought at Tractor Supply. I wouldn’t recommend the plastic ones, they’re a mess. Had one on my generator filter and hated it.
 
I have the brass valve on all 5 of my Racors. They have tapered pipe threads on the inlet end and do no rely on o-rings for sealing.

Part of deciding which valve to get has to do with the access you have to reach the valve. I find the brass valve to be very easy to operate fir filters in tight spots or where you cannot see them because they just require a 90 degree turn to open or close them.

Also, if you shop around you can save about 40% since the brass valves are a fairly common product.
 
I have the brass valve on all 5 of my Racors. They have tapered pipe threads on the inlet end and do no rely on o-rings for sealing.

Part of deciding which valve to get has to do with the access you have to reach the valve. I find the brass valve to be very easy to operate fir filters in tight spots or where you cannot see them because they just require a 90 degree turn to open or close them.

Also, if you shop around you can save about 40% since the brass valves are a fairly common product.


Would you have a link on where to buy and size.

My boat is 4hrs away so I dont know what thread size I would need.
 
I got my brass valves (Moeller Fuel Tank Shut-Off Valve (1/4” FNPT, Male/Female Brass)) on Amazon. Haven’t installed them yet because I ordered them after I changed the filters for winterization process, but I’ll install them the next time I change my filters.
 
I got my brass valves (Moeller Fuel Tank Shut-Off Valve (1/4” FNPT, Male/Female Brass)) on Amazon. Haven’t installed them yet because I ordered them after I changed the filters for winterization process, but I’ll install them the next time I change my filters.

Thank you
 
One additional piece of advice is to consider putting threaded plugs in the output side of the valves as a safety measure. If one of the valve handles ever got bumped or slightly opened, it will prevent fuel from running into the bilge area.

**Note the plugs in the valves on the picture that was posted at the same time I was typing this!
 
Great pics! And excellent advice on the plugs. I think the (expensive) Racor valves come with those plugs and the note that "(plug must be in valve unless servicing)". Perhaps that's why they are a few bucks more!

I may try these. It's spring and fuel filters are on my list...
 
Just throwing this out there as an option... I do not know if they make a product in the size thread you need, but I have a few of these on various machines (some for nearly 15 years, now) and they are very well made. The handle cannot be accidentally opened as it requires a "push, then slide", 2-part procedure. They come in various configurations (drain nipple down, drain nipple 90*, etc). They are also very compact. They're advertised as a replacement for an oil pan drain plug, but if they make it in the size you need, there's no reason it couldn't be used for your usage, as well.

http://fumotousa.com/about-fumoto-valves.php
 
Ordered 3 today. Thanks for the input guys! Love the idea of using a tube with threaded connector! No mess!
 
Stupid question here. But after you drain (and perhaps change the filters) where do you guys get the fuel to top off the Racors? Do you carry a spare can of diesel with you on board?
 
Stupid question here. But after you drain (and perhaps change the filters) where do you guys get the fuel to top off the Racors? Do you carry a spare can of diesel with you on board?
On the 400db, the engine racors are well below the fuel tanks, and will self fill (gravity) once the valve is open. The genny racor is mounted higher, and will need to have a little over 1/2 tank for it to fill.
 
what PMC said for the racors, and I carry a can for filling the secondary filters.

Thanks. I didn't think it through on the Racors. Easy!

I'd expect this to be a once a year sort of thing. But you never know when you might get a batch of dirty fuel, so just like having backup filters I'd want to have back up fuel on hand to prime the secondary filters.
 
Do you have a hose on each one or just use one hose from filter to filter?

Just one hose that connects to each one to drain it and then is put away. I have a screw cap for the Racor end and the other end has the petcock, so I don't have drips of fuel around the E.R. and in the storage case.
 

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