Started using the real parts and started installing the fuel system. Going slow due to my inexperience with the bender.
UPDATE: There is a very good post on the VAF forums where Joe Gores provides a bunch of hints. Click here to read the thread.
Installed the fuel pump and then started to assemble the fuel valve. One caution, the instructions for the knob indicates to first drill to a #16 and then drill to a #11. There is a caveat, though, the instructions tell you that the larger hole may not be necessary. Do not drill to the larger hole size for the RV-12. Riveted the fuel valve to the fuselage with the help of Adam.
Then started on the fuel tank to fuel pump line. Yesterday, with the practice piece I could not make the first bend close enough to the pump end sleeve. What I ended up doing was cutting a piece of tubing to 26". I made the first 90 degree bend after judging how close I could bend it to the end of the tube knowing the length of the sleeve and the amount of tube that would have to be inserted in the flaring tool. Left a little bit extra. Then made that 1st 90 degree bend. Then cut the pump end to the 90 deg to length,aloowing for the sleeve and the amount that would have to be inserted into the flaring tool. Installed the sleeve and then flared the end. Ended up with a much tighter 90 degree angle to the pump end. The other bends were made in accordance with the instructions. Ended up with a much tighter 90 degree bend doing it this way.
Then the more challenging piece. The fuel line from the pump to the valve. The installation of this piece with the side skins NOT attached would have been a bit easier.
The plans tell you to make an S shaped bend between the pump and the bulkhead. The bend detail shows an S shape with two 90 degree bends. The bender I have could not make the two 90 degree bends as close as they are together on the drawing inset. As such I hand formed the S shape with angles shy of 90 degrees using a spiral spring bender. Then attached the nut, sleeve and flared the end.
Inserting the tubing thru the bulkhead was the next challenge. Took a little push to get in through the first bulkhead bushing after bowing the tubing a bit. Getting it thru the second bulkhead had me first line it up by reaching up under and then giving it another little harder push. The bushings are rather tight.
After measuring, I ended up having to cut 1.5" off the forward end of the tube after pulling it back and bowing it upward. Reinstalled, and checked the length one more time. Pulled it back again, bowed it up and flared the end after placing the nut and sleeve on the tubing. Bent the small S at F-1203A by hand. One CAUTION, ensure the tubing goes pretty much thru the center of the hole thru F-1203A. Certainly do not want the fuel line fretting on the edge of the hole. Some type of wrap or cushion type clamp would be a nice addition here.
Installed the FLO-SCAN fuel flow meter. Believe there is an error here with regard to the hardware. My plans tell you to use two AN509-10R18 screws. The hardware supplied is AN525-10R18. Prepped the gascolator by attaching the fittings and safety wiring the four screws. Eight long hours today.
IF YOU FOLLOWED THE PLANS SECTION BY SECTION I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I WOULD OF INSTALLED THE FUEL SYSTEM WITH THE TAILCONE ATTACHED!!!
Click here for a good link that explains rather well how to use the scales on a typical tubing bender.
Time Today - 8 hours
