Fuel vent/fresh air drain tubes, oil cooler flapper valve | 10.10.2020
On a previous day, I installed the aluminum fuel and fresh air vent lines down through the fuselage and glassed them in place on the floor inside the plane. I didn't finish them on the bottom of the fuselage though, as I was waiting for the epoxy to cure. Drilling the hole for the sump tank reminded me that I hadn't done that yet, and I took a bit of time to finish this up.
The manual specifies that the fuel vent needs to be cut at a 45 degree angle facing forward on the plane. I assume that this is to provide a very slight positive pressure so that the engine isn't struggling to pull air into the tanks as it uses fuel. If this was blocked, it would basically try to pull a vacuum in the tanks.
Fuel vent in the front, fresh air drain behind it. |
I also installed the heater flapper valve. When shut, this diverts hot air heated by the oil cooler into the cabin to provide a small amount of heat should it be needed. When open, it covers the vent tubes and allows the air from the oil cooler to pass out the bottom of the fuselage. The Stabells had fabricated the flapper, I drilled the holes in it for the eventual attachment to a cable to open and close it. Once ready, I put a dab of adhesive on the back and riveted it in place.
Flapper shut, diverting warm air out the aluminum tubes. |
Holes for control cable. |
- Jeff
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