Eyeball Vent

[aerofarm]

Does anyone know where I can get eyeball vents for my 260B. I have a couple that are broken and no longer open and close. Can I use any type from a supply company (Spruce, etc.) or do they have to be Comanche specific? I called webco. They don't have them. They didn't even have any bungees today.

Nate
N9162P

[md11flyer]

Nate: If you are the least bit handy with a screw driver and needle nose pliers, then you can repair your old ones.

The problem with the eye ball vents, at least on my 1966 pa-30 is the rubber tube inside the vent that over time becomes brittle and cracks and eventually breaks.

You need to remove the vent from the plastic holder then remove the three screws on the back of the vent to allow you to remove the internals of the vent.

You will then see the rubber tube.which is tied to the vent apparatus on both side with thin wire and a little glue. Remove the wire and remove old rubber tube. Go to bicycle store and buy an inner tube size 700x20c. (this is the smallest diameter tube I could find)

Cut the tube to match the old rubber tube removed from the vent and install using a little instant glue to hold in place. Then using 20 guage brass wire or equivalent, wrap wire around both ends and twist tight.

Reinstall the tube back into vent and secure with the three screws and you are set for another 25 years!

PS if your vents are different than mine....disregard all above!



Happy cool flying!
Gary

[aerofarm]

The vents are the same, however it is the plastic ring on the outside which is broke off and gone. One vent still has plastic ring but it just spins around and will not open the vent. The other one is gone. I can turn the vent closed, but it just springs back open, so I was hoping to replace them.

Thanks,

Nate

[md11flyer]

Nate:

The one that spins around and doesn't open the vent is the one that you can repair...unfortunately the one with the broken ring..can't...

The other solution is to look for used piper aztec eyeball vents.. they will work as a replacement. You can usually find them at places like wentworth, etc.

Goodluck,

Gary

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

The plastic ring has nothing to do with the thing staying closed or open. About half of all have lost the plastic rings. The plastic spinning is easilly fixed with glue (or remove the plastic ring and just use the metal underneath). For the other one try pulling it down and coat the back of the black area with bees wax. This will cause more friction between the fixed and the turning portions and it should stay closed. Another cause of this is if whoever fixed it last put too short of a piece of innertube on the vent and it cant twist off enough and springs back.
-Zach

[Kristin Winter]

Aztec vents are a nice upgrade. They are aluminum WEMEC valves open wider than the rubber tube ones that doubtless were cheaper. The WEMEC valves should last forever.

[MULEFLY]

[Jay]

[9089P]

[MULEFLY]

[9089P]

[Jay]

[Kristin Winter]

[9089P]

[Kristin Winter]