Replacing the plastic piece was not preferable...I wanted something that would stand up to a little more abuse. So I brazed some copper to the brass insert. Kind of disappointed in my work...didn't think it WOULD work, but after it DID work the copper work-hardened and now it won't bend lol. I'll get a 90* barb and do it better soon. This at least lets me get the rest of the mower running and setup.