Shank Bore, Tailpiece, Beer line size

[msal]

Hi guys, I'm in the process of RMA'ing some shanks that I had ordered that are too short. This is for a keezer build. My collar is about 1 5/8" thick. I didn't account for the tailpiece, so I'm short by about 1/4". I plan to exchange the 3 1/8" shanks for 4 1/8" ones.

I just realized that the original shanks that I had ordered are a 1/4" bore rather than 3/16". The tailpiece is also 1/4". I want to make sure I order the right thing this time since the RMA process is time consuming and shipping costs stink.

Should the bore of my shanks match the ID of my beer line (3/16" in this case), or am I ok with a 1/4" bore? Also, I'm going with 1/4" nipples elsewhere for my liquid disconnects which is why I went with a 1/4" tailpiece here. Does it make sense to go from a 3/16" beer line to a 1/4" nipple, to a 3/16" bore in the shank?

Here is my setup right now:
gas side
---
5/16 gas line
4 way distributor with 1/4 MFL connectors
1/4" (MFL)-5/16" swivel nuts
5/16" gas side quick disconnects for kegs

liquid side
---
3/16" beer line
1/4" (MFL)-1/4" swivel nuts
1/4" liquid side quick disconnects for kegs
1/4" tailpiece
4 1/8" shank length
??? shank bore
perlick 630SS faucets

Thanks!!

 

[microbusbrewery]

1/4" bore on your shanks should work just fine. All of mine are 1/4" bore with 1/4" tail pieces and 3/16" line. One word of advice, make sure they're stainless. My first two were plated brass and the plating started to wear off. It'll take a few years, but you'll eventually have to replace plated shanks.

 

[msal]

Thanks for the input micro! I went with 4 1/8" stainless steel shanks with a 1/4" bore. I'm planning to use my 1/4" mfl tailpieces with them (also SS), hooked up to 3/16" beer line.

I figure the faucet bore is larger anyways so getting a wider diameter on the way out isn't a big deal, vs. if I had the opposite problem and was trying to go smaller.

 

[microbusbrewery]

Nice! Be sure to post a pic of your setup when you get everything put together.