wing fitting seeping oil

[upf-7]

I have a 1946 bc-12-D that I just replaced lower longerons on,12.6 feet on both sides. While it was apart I put my boroscope inside the remaining front portion of tube where the strut attach and landing gear fittings are and found that the inside of the tubes were oil covered with metal shavings sticking to the sides of tube. I was pleased to see that there was no rust inside.So I proceeded with all my repairs and welded everything up . I also had two A&Ps look at the Strut attach fittings and they passed. I was told to oil all the new tubes, which I did as well as the lower portion all the way up to the front of the fuselage. When I rotated it on the rotiserie, I had oil seeping from the Strut fittings.Is there a possibility that there is rust that could not be seen, or maybe a burn through from the welding process from the factory, or not all tubing welded in the cluster? I noticed when I replaced the lower longeron tubes that the cluster joints were not indiviually welded.I drilled 1/8 inch holes in the tubes that are in the lower bays and put air pressure through and both fittings leaked air from each of the four tubes I tried around the fitting. Any information or opionions on this, I would appreciate any feedback.Thanks,Dave

[upf-7]

Re: strut attach fitting seeping oil

I talked to Forrest today on the phone. He is healing up very well and would hope to be back on the forum later this week. We discussed my issue about my leaking strut attach fittings. He told me that the factory pierced a hole with the torch for a drain in the lower longeron before they welded the strut attach fitting on. To my understanding that was standard procedure on the sea planes. By 1946 it was issued on all Taylorcraft planes, if I understood him correctly. This explains why I have oil dripping from the strut attach fittings when I rotate the fuselage on the rotisserie. I would appreciate any other comments on this issue. Taylorcrafts are new to me as I know more about WACOs than Taylorcrafts.

Thanks,

Dave

[mulwyk]

Re: wing fitting seeping oil

Dave,
I think they're called "weep" holes. My '46 has them. I put tube seal in my lower longereons 3 years ago. I musta used too much tube seal because oil dripped out of my weep holes for a week after.

[upf-7]

Re: wing fitting seeping oil

Bob,

Thanks for the post it makes me feel alot better knowing somebody else had the same problem. I am new to this forum and to the taylorcraft world so I
will be asking alot of questions as work progresses. The fuselage is now in primer and I will start to put back together.

David

[Forrest Barber]

Re: wing fitting seeping oil

Just catching up, hope all works out, I am putting my struts back on the week and hope to fly 43533 soon!! Knee coming along fine, had four tribe members stop by picking up parts.... lots left , come and get them. I was told on all seaplanes from the factory that they received special treatment so the internal corrosion proofing could flow into all tubes. perhaps you overlooked the hole up into the longeron from the strut attach fitting.... sometimes I ahve seen these injection holes plugged with a P-K drive screw.
P-K ( paralkalon).