Needle-Valve extensions (yellow) for Killer Bee

roddie Thu Sep 12, 2024 8:19 am

I recently bought some needle-valve extensions (yellow) designed for Killer Bee needles, with the intent to replace the "black knobs" on some of my standard (product-engine) needles.

Needle-Valve extensions (yellow) for Killer Bee 049_ki10

Here's my issue..

Needle-Valve extensions (yellow) for Killer Bee Needle14

Apparently; a Killer Bee's needle-stem diameter is a lot smaller. Good thing I bought two packages... Crying or Very sad

ppvj64 Fri Sep 13, 2024 3:09 pm

I would bet a little heat and it would slip right on

roddie Fri Sep 13, 2024 5:14 pm

ppvj64 wrote:I would bet a little heat and it would slip right on

I wish...

The inside diameter is .070" and the diameter of a product-engine needle is .125" at the knob-end....... What I need is a similar material tube with a 3mm (.118") inside diameter. That's what I had assumed these yellow tubes were.

EXModelEngines Fri Sep 13, 2024 7:26 pm

Yeah, the Killer Bee end that accepts the yellow extension is about 0.080" (post knurl). Both the regular ones and Killer Bee are run from raw stock of 1/8" brass. Absent the look there is no difference in the thread specs.

Cox International Wed Sep 18, 2024 10:26 pm

OOPS and, as Matt mentioned, the KB needle valve tops have a smaller diameter. However, this product may fit, but would have to confirm this tomorrow if you are interested:

https://coxengines.ca/fuel-tanks-lines/cox--049-neoprene-fuel-tank-line-10.html

They go really well as "extenders" with the "Bee" style needle valves, albeit a bit tight to get on, so may be a good fit for the KB version.

Cox International Wed Sep 18, 2024 10:35 pm

And just a piece of trivia in this respect: The yellow KB extensions are actually the inside part of "pushrods" from "Sullivan Products", cut from 3' down to the shorter pieces. So when I first phoned Sullivan to order, they knew exactly what I was talking about, Cox was their customer lol!

Speaking of Sullivan; they are under new ownership and should be back online shortly. Had a lengthy and candid conversation with Fred, the new owner, who has worked there for decades.

roddie Sat Sep 21, 2024 1:38 pm

I'm experimenting with the needle-extension.. to retro-fit it to the standard (product-engine) needle.

5/32" (OD) alloy tubing is a snug-fit onto the spline (knob) end of the standard needle. The "Killer-Bee" (yellow plastic) extension-tube is a loose-fit inside of the 5/32" alloy tubing.. so I used a common "finish nail" forced inside the plastic tube to slightly expand it.

Needle-Valve extensions (yellow) for Killer Bee Needle15

Needle-Valve extensions (yellow) for Killer Bee Needle16

The nail was then cut-off.. and is a little too large of a diameter.. requiring me to sand the plastic tube to make it fit inside the alloy tube.

It's still a work in progress.. and I think that 2mm steel rod would probably work in place of my nail.

crankbndr Sat Sep 21, 2024 6:03 pm

You could chuck the needle in a drill and turn it down to fit.
Brass should be easy to turn down with file or sandpaper.

roddie Sun Sep 22, 2024 9:04 am

crankbndr wrote:You could chuck the needle in a drill and turn it down to fit.
Brass should be easy to turn down with file or sandpaper.

I like your suggestion Doug. I may try that.. thanks! Thumbs Up

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Needle-Valve extensions (yellow) for Killer Bee

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Re: Needle-Valve extensions (yellow) for Killer Bee