National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Paul,
Thanks and I guess there's nothing wrong with the solid copper (original) line coming down from the fuel valve to the gascolator connection (after all, it's worked fine for 60+ years). What's your thought on a line from the wing fuel tanks to the on/off valve mounted up near the headliner? Solid or short flex?? I believe factory is solid (???) at that point.

Regarding the fuel valve possibly being a natural gas valve, nothing surprises me on these old timers any more.

MikeB

thanks paul i would NEVER have figured that one out. i made some good progress on the headliner but still have a long way to go.

this kind of gives an idea what it's going to look like. nothing has been attached on the sides, or the front and rear just the bows. still have to finish a little sewing and do some adjusting.


this is how i did the seams. i was real careful to maintain the same spacing on the bows to prevent waves and wrinkles.


i used a curved and straight needle made for heavy fabric.


heres a couple pics of the thread. its made of cotton and pretty thick. i tried to break it by hand and it almost cuts you before it breaks so you can pull pretty hard to tighten everything up.



still looks like a mess but its progress.

heres a couple pics of the aux tank line. pretty happy how it turned out so far. i still need to hook up the on off valve once i figure out the right fittings. i put rubber on all the areas that could rub just as added protection.





on the other side is my drain valve at the lowest point.

Mike,
In the wing root faired area a short length of rubber line works. It makes it easier to remove the wings. Trying to connect a B nut to fittings in this area is tough.
Paul

Paul,
My thoughts exactly (not to mention vibration). Great minds think alike...... .

MikeB

no luck today finding the fittings for the aux tank valve. i e-mailed anderson/forrester and am waiting for a reply. i was able to almost finish the headliner but am not sure how the fabric is run under the aux tank. which tube is it supposed to go over or under? i can see its going to staple to the wood going across the fuelsalage.

has anybody used alumi prep 33 and alodine indoors or done it in the bath tub. i know this sounds like a crazy question but its 15 degrees outside so i have no choice. im ready to build my wings now but i would like to use the alumi prep 33 and then alodine the ribs. it says to coat scrub then rinse asap. any suggestions? im starting to feel like my build thread is turning into "how to build an aeronca for dummies" !!!!!

Jason,
It generally is Hydrofluoric acid and smells pretty bad. The alodine is also not to good for you. It needs to be put on the aluminum, rinsed off and heat dried prior to painting. If not done properly the Alodine will actually accelerate the corrosion process. You might try building a wood frame work on a piece of plywood and line it with plastic sheet and make a small "tub" for your parts.
Paul

i just tried cleaning the rib in the pic with the prep33. man this stuff is wickid on the nose. looks like im gonna have to get more aggressive with something else to knock down the heavy stuff prior to cleaning and coating.

Jason,
Try red Scotch-Brite it works pretty good.
Paul

Jason,

I use a stiff toothbrush and what Paul said, red Scotch-Brite.

Charles

i have a box of the round sb discs for the drill and the pads but wanted to try just the prep33. im gonna have to stick to the sb and then use the prep33 just as a cleaner. gona take a couple days but ill get it. doing on wing at a time.

Hate to stick my nose into something that isn't my business but are you working with an A&P or I.A. on this Jason? The reason I ask is as a mechanic/inspector one of my pet peeves is to be called in to approve something after it's been done without being consulted during the process. And as a mechanic there are a few things I see on your pictures I don't like, one being using tie wraps on a gas lines. Plus your Mechanic/inspector would be in a better position to ask on what he would like to see regarding things like gas valves, fittings, etc. Don't want to discourage you as it seams you're doing a nice job but thought I'd throw it out there, if you're working with a mechanic/I.A. and he's o.k. with all you're doing disregard this.

yeah i am working with a IA but i will take any advice you have to give. why is the wrap on the fuel line not good? my only concern was moisture but other than that it seemed like a good saftey measure. the valve is another issue im trying to tackle but if i can get these fittings to work it wont be a problem. the answer i get from most people on how to solve problems is to just buy new, that is not an option for me. i will spend money where necessary for saftey but if something can be reused im gonna try my hardest to make it happen. once again PLEASE steer me in the right direction if you see something you dont like, that is one of the main reasons im here. i respect everyones knowledge on this board and am trying to absorbe as much of it as i can. how would you do the aux lines and the same for the valve? thanks.

Jason,
The wrap isn't a bad idea, the ty-wraps are. The plastics used in them are very abrasive. As a rule I don't use them in the engine compartment, I use string tie. There is a chance that they could chafe on the line. If the fuel lines are secured about every 20 inches they can't move much and chafing is less of a concern.
All in all you're doing a great job, keep it up! Don't sweat the headliner, all of them are wrinkled.
Paul