May 20, 2022     Right side panel - (5 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Fit aluminum panel below right rear window--more for appearance than function, though, anticipating that the passenger area will likely often be used for hauling baggage and equipment, it seems worth the addd weight.

  May 19, 2022     Relocate fuel line - (5.5 hours)       Category: Fuel System

As I shrunk the interior fabric, I notice that the forward section of the right fuel line was routed through the interior of the cabin, and could potentially interfere with the rear rudder pedal. Cut out the lower section and re-routed to the outside with an angled union through the top former.

  Feb 22, 2022     Pre-Cover preparation - (2 hours) Category: Fuel System

Repositioned the right-side fuel line at the corner of the windscreen, installed remaining flex. lines.

  Jan 18, 2022     FUEL GAUGE.1 - (5.5 hours)       Category: Fuel System

TEMP. CONNECTED FUEL LINES FROM WINGS TO FUSELAGE @ WING ROOT. USED 3/8" SUPER FLEX FUEL LINE HOSE, BEADED TUBING @ JUNCTION & HOSE CLAMPS
FABRICATED LEFT SIDE FUEL GAUGE; WILL ADD SUPPORT USING ADEL CLAMPS. NEED TO INSERT PLASTIC BALL BEFORE FINAL INSTALL.

  Nov 10, 2021     Re-Do - (5 hours) Category: Fuel System

Re-worked the fuel lines in the fuselage. I was not happy with the alignment or straightness of the tubing.

  May 11, 2021     Do-Over Part 2 - (4 hours) Category: Fuel System

Continued work on re-routing fuel lines.

  May 10, 2021     Do-Over - (3.5 hours) Category: Fuel System

Rerouted fuel lines from doorframes to fuel selector to eliminate chafing.

  Aug 31, 2020     Beads! - (1 hour) Category: Fuel System

Put bead on ends of fuel lines @ wing root.

  Jun 16, 2020     Sight Gauges - (1.5 hours) Category: Fuel System

Tapped Schedule 40 PVC pipe to accept AN fittings. Installed AN822 elbows in each. Will test for leaks tomorrow.

  May 13, 2020     Do-Overs continued - (6 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Remade lower fuel line. Began securing lines with adel clamps.

  May 12, 2020     Do-Overs are OK - (06 hours) Category: Fuel System

Remade fuel lines, installed grommets, tested for leaks.

  May 11, 2020     Second time's the charm - (4 hours) Category: Fuel System

Remade line, left side from station B to fuel selector. Just didn't like the fit.

  May 08, 2020     Do-Overs - (6 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Remade unsatisfactory fuel lines, installed grommets @ bulkheads. Tested for leaks using balloon & soapy water.

  May 07, 2020     Sight gauges - (2 hours) Category: Fuel System

Fabricated & fit 1/4 tubing for sight gauges

  May 06, 2020     Details - (4 hours) Category: Fuel System

A clean work space is a sign of a man determined to avoid productive activity. But at my age, it takes too long to find things under the best of conditions, so.. half an hour well-spent. With the wind gusting to 20 knots, it seemed prudent to double -check the tie-downs on the donor airplane: another half hour not working on the Bearhawk... Spent the remainder of the afternoon adjusting, checking, and fitting the fuel lines from the tanks to the wing root.

  Apr 28, 2020     FUEl Lines: Fuselage.5 - (2 hours) Category: Fuel System

Decided to replace left fuel line. Station D to fuel selector.

  Apr 24, 2020     Fuel Lines: Fuselage.4 - (3 hours) Category: Fuel System

Made up final flare connections, fuel lines to selector.

  Apr 23, 2020     Fuel lines - (3 hours) Category: Fuel System

Ran line from left side junction to fuel selector. Reviewed manual and Beartracks articles on fuel systems.

  Apr 20, 2020     Bending aluminum tubes. - (4.5 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Fuel lines from fuselage sides to selector. Note to self: Should have ordered one more length of 3/8 inch tubing!

  Apr 18, 2020     Mounting the fuel selector on the mount - (5 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Mark, drill, countersink, deburr, rivet. I finally got everything lined up and in place. Next, to get the lines aligned!

  Apr 17, 2020     Fuel Selector Mount, Revisited - (4 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Not happy with the fit and finish. Scrapped first try & started over. Like this one better

  Apr 16, 2020     Fuel Selector Mount - (5 hours)       Category: Fuel System

It took multiple tries, but I pieced together what seems to be a solid mount for the fuel selector.

  Apr 15, 2020     Fuel Selector - (5.5 hours) Category: Fuel System

Fabricated a mount for the SPRL fuel selector. After reading what Tony Bingelis had to say about side-mounted fuel selected, I chose to go with Barrows's preference: floor-mount, between stations B and C. Mount consists of two pieces of 1/8" aluminum bar tied riveted to half-inch aluminum angle. I will anchor the mount to the welded tabs in the center of the fuselage frame. Gascolator will be mounted directly aft, with a line gently curving back to the firewall.

  Apr 14, 2020     Fuel Lines: Fuselage.3 - (6 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Before leaving for the hangar, I watched a couple of Youtube videos on tubing & tubing benders. Also downloaded the instruction manual for my tubing bender. Maybe should have done it sooner, but these are strange times. After a bit of head-scratching, and a false start or two (always put the sleeve and nut on the tube before you flare it!), I got the left side (front and rear lines) fitted and connected with a t-fitting (AN824-6D). Felt so good about my work, I did the right side in about a quarter the time it took for the left. Something about following the directions, I guess. Still cogitating on the fuel selector placement. I did discover some vacant real estate on the right side toward the end of the day. We'll see how it looks tomorrow.

  Apr 14, 2020     Fuel Lines: Fuselage.2 - (4 hours)       Category: Fuel System

With a bit more practice, I took on the task of fabricating the fuel lines from the wing root to the fuel selector. Instead of putting the selector on the floor, I plan to place it on the left side of the fuselage, approximately where it is in the Maule. I'm looking for a familiar placement and the safety of not having to put my head between my knees when I change tanks! We'll see how it goes. I managed to get the left side nearly set in place. I'm still a little shaky with the tubing bender.

  Apr 10, 2020     Fuel Lines: Fuselage - (4 hours) Category: Fuel System

It was a beautiful day, so I took the Maule out for some much-needed exercise. Airplane did fine. I need a little maintenance.
Spent the afternoon getting acquainted with my tubing bender, with mixed results. (No photos, please).

  Apr 02, 2020     Fuel lines - (5 hours) Category: Fuel System

Located & drilled holes in inboard ribs, right wing.

  Apr 02, 2020     Fuel Lines - (5 hours)       Category: Fuel System

Using cardboard templates, a variety of measurements, and my eye, located and drilled holes for the two fuel lines and sight gauge in right wing. Fabricated doublers for critical areas in inboard ribs.

  Dec 31, 1969     Re-Do.2 - (4 hours) Category: Fuel System

Completed re-do on fuel lines. Aligned bends at wings to meet lines coming out of fuel tanks.