| Author | Message | ||
     Ali Moghaddas (Ali) |
I have had a couple of e-mail discussions with Tom H. regarding the fuel tank inspection plate. I had/ have a concern about sealing the plate, in order for the fuel not to seep through the small imperfection in the mating surfaces. After doing some research and discussing the issue with my seal engineer colleagues, I decided to post my solution/ findings to date. Here is one way to address this issue: Machine a small groove in the inspection plate about 1/4 inch inboard of the bolt/ screw circle (it is actually rectangular with rounded corners), then I am going to install an O-ring to seal the joint. I have located a type of O-ring that is compatible with AV fuel, that is Fluorosilicone, a blend of Viton® and Silicone (Aircraft fuel systems Compatible, Jet Fuel / Gasoline,operating temperature range: -80 F to +350 F). There are a few things that need to be considered. - The depth of the groove should be approximately 50% of the O-ring thickness. - The width of the groove should be slightly greater than the thickness of the O-ring (.001" to .005" over should be fine) - Use Fuel lube, or proseal on the O-ring. - Try to have all the fasteners evenly spaced out to have equal load/ deflection along each span of O-ring between fasteners. - Try not to over tighten the fasteners on the inspection plate. You will need to calculate/ measure the O-ring diameter (Diameter= Length of the groove/ PI, it is going to be large for an O-ring). Here is a place on the internet where you can get this type of O-ring. http://www.allorings.com | ||
| LOUIE LACY (Llacy) |
ATTENTION FUEL LINES I just changed oil at 100 hours and was very lucky to find an aeroquip hose leaking between the engine fuel pump and the fuel pressure probe mounted on the firewall. There was a break in the line of this hose. I think you get the feeling with the steel braded hoses they will not leak. I don't want to think what would have happened if I had flown the airplane like this fuel was spewing all over the engine. I am now going to install shrouds around all my fuel lines that way the fuel will not be on the exhaust.This is very serious and I suggest everyone check for any evidence of a leak. Lou | ||
| LOUIE LACY (Llacy) |
Has anyone had a problem with Aeroquip 601 fuel line I don't think I am going to fly again until I can find out more about this fuel line and a possible replacement or some other solution | ||
| LOUIE LACY (Llacy) |
If you have Aeroquip fuel hoses on your aircraft REPALCE THEM NOW.The more I find out about this product the less I like. I talked to several people today including two IA's and both said they would no longer use this hose.I also tried to find out when the 601 was replaced with the newer version AE701 but could not find out the date. I bought these hoses in 1996 and installed them on my Express. I had 100 hours on the engine when the hose actually split thus spewing fuel inside the cowling.I tried calling Aeroquip but they did not return my call. When you have hoses with steel braid covering them there is no indication of a problem until it is too late Lou | ||
| Rick Spriggle (Rspriggle) |
Alright guys. I warned you I had the other set of wings at my house and the questions would be forthcoming. Here's my first set of general, stupid questions that make me scratch my head when checking through the manuals. I do have 1989 revision 1 manuals so that might be a problem as well. 1. Are the parts that came from Wheeler a peel ply surface and ready to glass without sanding? 2. I'm missing some flap and aileron push pull tubes. They appear to be standard size 6061-T6 aluminum tubing with spacers to adjust for wall thickness and standard AN490 rod ends riveted in. If somebody is willing to verify some tubing sizes and lengths, any reason I can't make my own replacements? 3. I'm also missing all of the flap hardware and some of the landing gear mounting brackets (in addition to lower fuselage parts). Would a newer builder be willing to share the current parts numbers of this stuff so I can cross reference them and get a quote/order with EAC? Please contact me off list if you are. 4. My parts list specifies rod ends that have a Heim part number (F34/35-14) but the ones I have are Aurora with a part number I can't reference in Aircraft Spruce. Given their age and storage for 10 years I want to replace them all. Any preferences here? Now the big ones.... 5. The aft shear web on my unclosed right wing didn't weather too well over 10 years. Any suggestions how I should go about repairing/replacing it?   6. And finally ... my fuel plates look like below. The plates on the closed left wing (thanks to a small digital camera that fit down the inspection hole) are as shown in the construction manual. The plates on the open right wing are not and are very basic with just the two fuel feeds and nothing else. The left appears to have the fuel feeds plus two extra angle ports that are vents, drains, or something. Somebody please shed some light on this for me.   Thanks, Rick | ||
| Rick Spriggle (Rspriggle) |
I need to purchase a hand rivet squeezer. Can anybody recommend a yoke size and throat depth that I should be purchasing? Thanks, Rick | ||
| Anonymous |
Rick, I see that your last two questions have had no responces, so here goes. All surfaces need to be sanded since even if peel ply'ed because of the time they have been exposed to the elements. When I peel ply I don't remove the Nylon until ready to bond so to have a clean surface.Sooooo sand the surface now. Later kits from Wheeler had the flap and aileron hdwe moved to Kit 5 so Ken could pospone spending $. My first 3 kits had a lot of back orders and I was told by Mrs Wheeler they were now included in kit 5. Aurora rod ends were another substitution, but OK to use. I remember something about the fuel system but too many yrs have gone by to be of much use on this question. Rivet squeezer throat should be at least 2 inches, As I remember there are 2 sizes in the small hand model so go with the larger, I did't and had to borrow the deeper throat from a friend. Hope this helps. Have a Happy New Year John Harlow | ||
| Rick Spriggle (Rspriggle) |
John, Thanks for the response. Agreed on sanding and cleaning the peel-ply surfaces. It certainly won't hurt for the bond area. For right now I have the flap and aileron hardware under control because I didn't know one could order a new construction manual from EAC. Now I have all the current part numbers at hand. The landing gear brackets are probably a question for another post when I get to look at it closer. I got Heim bearings to replace the rusted Auroras, but I still can't cross-reference the new EAC P/N's to Heim or Aurora??? Finally, I'll be sure to order a squeezer with a 2" throat. You saved me here because my guess was 1" would be plenty. Happy new year, building, and flying to everyone! Rick | ||
| Wayne Norris |
Rick, Get a squeezer from US industrial supply, they are in the mags, one that comes with both a 2" and 3" changable jaw. You WILL use both some time. also get a set of spring back sets and 3/32, 1/8 dimple dies. Also a rivet cutter, that way you can order long rivets then cut to length. Enco sells a nice air powered sheer, $45 and I used it to cut my .080 for the console. Wayne | ||
| Rick Spriggle (Rspriggle) |
Wayne, Thanks for the additional input. I had planned to get 2" and 3" yokes to cover all bases. One last thing - what squeezer sets will I need? Most come with standard AN470 sets and there are plenty of flush style AN426 for nut plates, etc. I want to make sure I get everything I need in one order so I don't come up short when trying to assemble something! Thanks, Rick |