in need of fuselage fuel tank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

I wouldn't say "airworthiness" but I would say "repairability! I have a friend who has made a set of roller dies and is making his own streamlined tubing because he can't get the size he needs for an antique (WW-I German fighter!). They look BEAUTIFUL but cost a fortune. Too bad a Fokker D-VII didn't use the same strut size and my 41 "T".
Hank

[fearofpavement]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

Just remember that, "The airworthiness of a part is inversely proportional to the availability of a replacement."

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

I agree with Kevin. Don't trash ANY of it. It is amazing what can be repaired when there isn't a replacement (and to a level where an inspector will accept it). If you don't want it, we will take it (and pay the shipping)
Hank

[Buell Powell]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

D.J.
I have an old original steel tank with valve that a friend gave me years ago. I was saving it in case I had trouble with mine but if you can use it you are welcome to it. The tank isn't pretty but may be OK-I don't know. I don't know about the valve but it may be OK also. I haven't tested either one.If you want it let me know and I will send it to you.

[crispy critter]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

Make your IA give you your old tank as soon as it is removed from the airplane. Then have him show you the damage that can't be repaired. Same with all these other parts he is making you remove(or removing for you).Make sure they are not trashed. They are your parts and you should be able to keep them.Lights,harness,tank and all are worth something to someone and I have never seen a tank that could not be repaired unless it was eat up in corrosion.

[Robert Lees]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

I've taken two photos of my dismantled valve (although this is not specifically a main fuselage tank valve, the principle is the same).

The 90 degree rotation of the assembly is restricted by a collar. This collar has an outside "dog" or tongue that locates in a hole inside the valve body, and a 90 degree gap that restricts the rotation of the tapered plug.

In turn, the tapered plug has a pin that is restricted in rotation by the 90 degree gap in the collar. This pin also appears to hold the plug to the stem. The two items are loose, appearing to be held together by the pin.





Hope this helps.

Rob

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

Is perhaps the ring missing that restricts roataion rather than the pin?

The pin as I recall connects the shaft to the plug and holds it together.

Don't toss it. Keep or sell on ebay and someone who has the compliment set of good parts can make one good valve.

[N74DV]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

yes that's the pin he is referring to and JB weld was used to keep the valve from leaking after the pin had been removed or otherwise lost.

[Robert Lees]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

The very motion of the push-pull fuel on-off control is a 90 degree action on the valve. Due to its alignment on the tank, the Taylorcraft main fuel valve works from +45 degrees to -45 degrees, a total of 90 degrees.

There is also a mechanism (a ring with a pin) within the valve that restricts this movement to 90 degrees.

If this mechanism is missing within the valve, then I'd guess your IA is correct. But the valve must be seriously leaking without it, or at least extremely loose in its action. Perhaps that's where the JB is, to make up the difference in this missing piece inside the valve. Is the JB inside the valve?

I'd be interested in learning if this is the missing pin your IA is referring to, that restricts the motion to 90 degrees.

I can pull mine apart for detailed photos if needed.

Rob

[N74DV]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

the IA says my valve is missing a pin that restricts the movement of the valve to 90°

I'll take any valve that has all its parts and is at least serviceable.... papers or not.

[Robert Lees]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

Rob, For those of us old guys, could you define "manky"?

"manky" means unserviceable.

These valves are made of brass, steel and other bits, I've not come across one being non-repairable.

I've got a spare, but I doubt your IA would accept it, because it doesn't come with a piece of paper.

my valve has so much JB weld on it

Chip it off and see what's underneath. I bet my penny to your pinch of elephant dung that it is quite repairable.

Apparently mine is cracked at the threads and the IA says he can't fix it

Well I fixed mine, and I'm a lot less "qualified" than your IA. See my post above.

liquid Nitrogen

More readily vailable is dry ice. I get mine from a CO2 fire extinguisher.

[N74DV]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

Harry says he has tanks on the shelf at the factory. So... My IA is going to order one. I told him do it COD or via credit card and expect it to be weeks or months before we see it.

But if Harry does in fact have them in stock then we may get one as early as next week. Apparently mine is cracked at the threads and the IA says he can't fix it. I said whatever.... I would have thought you could weld in a new pipe bung.

[N74DV]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

hey thanks Carl! I'll know more about the condition of my tank hopefully tomorrow. If I need that tank I'll let ya know!

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

DJ-As you know I'm heading to Gold Canyon, Az. in about a month. I have the old tank out of my BC-65. It isn't pretty but it didn't leak when I took it out and I (hopefully) have no need for it. I used the valve in my replacement. I could bring it out in the motorhome, we plan to be in Az. about Jan. 1 or 2. It will be a bargain, 1900 miles in the motorhome at 7.5 mpg. shipping and handling. Just kidding of course, let me know if you are interested.

Carl Carson
[email protected]

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: in need of fuselage fuel tank

Don't trash anything till you have a replacement (then send it to someone who thinks they can fix it). I believe there is NO SUCH THING as an unrepairable part. When I worked for the Navy we once got an Aden gun pod in from the Marines that had been run over by an M-60 tank. We COULD have fixed it, but the Planner Estimators laughed so hard when they saw it they wouldn't let us try. It was only about 3" thick. Now THAT was a challenge.
Hank

Bet I can get the JB weld off that valve and make it work! Got to break out the lathe and get some liquid Nitrogen. BWA HA HA HA!!