6 gallon wing tank installation

[BES]

Does someone know if there is a step-by-step list of instructions on how to install a 6 gallon wing tank in a Champ? I have the tank and the drawings, bought from Safe Air Repair ten years ago (yeah, I know - I got busy doing something else ) but would like to have written instructions, like "Wing Tank Installation For Dummies".

Thanks,
Bent

[Paul Agaliotis]

Bent,
It might be tough to get a document that will have the installation instructions. All of the tank installations vary just a little. Aeronca used a couple different tanks and the installation is covered on drawings 7-565A, 7-1001 and 7-796. If you have the tanks with a big plate welded to the top, like the Wag tanks, these were installed using a STC. The STC will have the installation instructions.
Typically a heavier rib, like the IB aileron rib, is used as an OB tank rib. A plywood floor is installed between the ribs and the tank is held with straps. The straps are secured to the spars, this will be on the listed drawings. Make sure the tank is about 1/4" below the rib profiles or the tank will be seen when covered.
Paul

[BES]

Thanks Paul,

The tank I have is the std. triangular 6-gallon tank from Safe Air Repair. It is supposed to sit on a wooden shelf. In the installation kit, however, there are several bits and pieces which are puzzling - eg. small pieces of wood. These small parts aren't really obvious in the drawings.

Bent

[Paul Agaliotis]

Bent,
The wood blocks generally fit between the rib and the tank as a spacer and rub block.
Sometimes the drawings are tough to read. Look them over and the little stuff will start to show their locations.
Paul

[rkittine]

Not sure how you are going to close it up, but my wing tank was under fabric and when I had problems with it, it had to be cut out to get access. It was then replaced with a painted aluminum sheet with a good number of screws, but easier to get out for future work.

The only problem I experienced was that the fuel cap then was set down into the cover where it had been riding high on top of a indentation in the fabric between ribs and it caused me some venting issues, especially during calm flight conditions. A forward facing periscope vent braised to the top of the cap resolved that problem.

Bob

[MikeB]

I think (??) the Safe Air 6 gallon tank is a different animal from the Wag Aero tanks which go 'top down'. I looked at the SA tanks once at Oshkosh and they explained to me that you pulled the butt rib and installed the tank through the end of the wing but don't remember how it was secured.
Mike

[clipperfixer]

I don't know if it will help or not, but this is my factory style tank from my right wing. The tank is removed and everything else is there. It drops in the from the top. I left the picture really large so you could see what it looks like.
Ray