Since I've had to move away from the firewall-forward area for a week or so, I decided to work on some wing-related projects:
1. Used my new screw-style dimpler to dimple the #8 screw holes for four fairing-attach holes at the wing roots. (I previously added four nutplates at these locations of the wings because I felt they helped the fairings lay down better. I must say, they sure are in inconvenient locations -- which is probably why Vans didn't have builders add them there). Installed the nutplates with Cherry rivets.
2 Since my avionics package does not include a Marker Beacon receiver, I finally removed the outdated Marker Beacon coax that was running through the left wing. (My custom-built MB antenna itself will unfortunately have to remain as a mute testament to the good old days, since it is bonded into the wingtip. It sure is a work of art. Such a shame...)
3. Removed the left wing tank cover plate. Inspected the inside of the fuel tanks, which still look as shiny and new as the day they were built. Tested the left fuel sender using a multimeter, since it hadn't been moved in many years. Initially I got some strange behavior from it, with the resistance readings jumping all over the place. But after a few sprays of contact cleaner and moving it back and forth a few times, it seems to be back in action. (247 ohms at Empty, 30.7 ohms at Full.)
4. Studied the installation steps for the fuel senders and cover plates, as well as the two Service Bulletins that affect the senders (The one pertaining to the anti-rotation tab and the one pertaining to safetying the B-nut.)
5. Checked the torque of the fuel pickup tube. Drilled the two attach holes for the anti-rotation tab up to #30, in preparation for riveting it on the cover plate. Drilled a 1/16" hole in the tab. This is where I will safety-wire the B-nut.