Feb 08, 2022     Fill neck fillet       Category: Fuel System

Applied a fillet of pro seal at the flange/fill neck junction to prevent the leak I found.

  Jan 14, 2022     Fuselage/fueling penetration       Category: Fuel System

I wanted to have a nice clean penetration of the fuselage skins for the fuel line instead of following the cabane strut. So I ordered the needed AN fittings. It required a stand-off on the cockpit side of the skin to am.low clearance by the 1/2” square tube located here.

  Jan 04, 2022     Tank leak test       Category: Fuel System

Finally got around to testing the fuel tank after how many years??! Did the balloon method with soapy water brushed over all rivet lines. Only caught a leak at the fill neck/flange connection. Since the flange was welded with the fill neck screwed in, there was slight distortion that prevents the fill neck from being screwed back out. I'll apply a fillet of pro seal here to eliminate the leak.

  Nov 20, 2021     Fuel filter       Category: Fuel System

Installed an Andair fuel filter between the electric fuel pump and gascolator.

  Oct 25, 2021     Fuel line blisters       Category: Fuel System

Positioned and drilled the fuel line and fuel sight gauge blisters. I'll finish drill and install T-nuts after I remove the center section.

  Oct 11, 2021     First fuel line fairing out of the mold       Category: Fuel System

Made up the first fuel line fairing by laying in 6 layers of 3oz cloth and epoxy resin. I think I'm coming out a bit too thin for the flange, so I may try to add one or two layers of 9iz cloth at the end of the layup. I tried going with 3 layers of 9oz cloth but got voids right at the edge of the fairing/ flange transition. The 3iz ladies down much nicer.

  Oct 07, 2021     Fuel line fairing fabrication pt2       Category: Fuel System

After waxing the finished plug and applying PVA separator, I applied a layer of gelcoat. In this case, I had a gelcoat repair kit that included a gelcoat base that was more of a gel than a liquid like I used in the cowl mold. I bushed it on, and it worked fine for this small part. Then I laid up 5 layers of mat fiberglass with polyester resin. This being a small mold, I wasn't too concerned about shrinkage, so I laid up all the layers at one time. Separated just fine. I then trimmed the mold to produce a 3/4” flange on the completed parts and then hot glued it to a spray paint can top as a base.

  Oct 04, 2021     Fuel line fairing construction 1       Category: Fuel System

Need to make some fairings for where the fuel lines exit the fuel tank/center section. Had a “lightbulb “ idea to use a lightbulb as a plug to make a mold for fiberglass fairings. Made a plywood mount with beveled edges around a hole cut to extend a lightbulb through to the desired depth. Secured the bulb with hot glue, then filled any gaps with bondo. Sealed the bondo with sandable primer

  Aug 29, 2021     Fuel line fabrication       Category: Fuel System

Began fabrication of the fuel lines. Moi Ted the tank and had a pleasant surprise that the tension on the upper tank skin when mounted removes 90% of a pucker that was created when welding the fuel cap flange. Made up the line going from the fuel selector valve to e electric fuel pump as well as the lines exiting the tank and following the cabanes to the fuselage.

  Feb 25, 2020     fuel valve extension       Category: Fuel System

Made a support for the fuel valve extension and installed the valve lever