VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-30-2012, 06:22 PM
Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,256
Default Fuel drain fairings and NPT taps

I have a pair of these:

http://www.jdair.com/fuel-drain-fair...s-rv-aircraft/

which I'm installing, and I have a quick question for anyone who has used them (or might have an idea here).

Tightening the drain itself is insufficient to hold the fairing in place against the flange of the drain port. If anyone has used these, do you a) use an NPT tap to *sloooowly* allow for more insertion of the drain valve, or b) use some sort of gasket between the fairing and the drain port on the wing?

If (a), where do you procure one of these boogers?

AND, any warnings, gotchas, tips or advice on how NOT to f*** this up are MOST appreciated. The one thing I *don't* want to do is have to tear into my tank to fix a stupid drain because I goobered something up there...

TIA, as always...

Steve
__________________
Steve "Flying Scotsman"
Santa Clarita, CA
PP-ASEL, ASES, Instrument Airplane

RV-7A N660WS flying!
#8,000
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-30-2012, 08:27 PM
Ron Lee's Avatar
Ron Lee Ron Lee is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
Default

Steve, I would call the folks you bought them from and get their advice.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-30-2012, 10:09 PM
N427EF N427EF is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,516
Default

I have also bought a set of those and spent a great deal of time wondering
how to secure them to the drain.
Just couldn't see how clamping would work without some kind of gasket and I sure didn't want to make several attempts and have to remove the fuel drain every time.
Here is what I did:
I drilled the drain hole all the way through so it would fit flush on the skin and the drain flange. The hole is large enough to accept a socket to access the drain plug for service removal.
I filled the hollow fairing shell with epoxy filler for a precise fit to the skin.
Filling the fairing allows for a larger bonding area.
Pro Seal it onto the skin.
Mine are not bonded yet and still need to be painted before the final step.
A little elaborate maybe but I am done with my airplane and I was looking for something to work on.
__________________
Ernst Freitag
RV-8 finished (sold)
RV-10 Flyer 600 plus hours
Running on E10 mogas
Don't believe everything you know.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-01-2012, 07:22 AM
Snowflake's Avatar
Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,926
Default

I used an NPT tap to remove some meat from the drain threads. I forget how much, but it wasn't much. I don't think I needed a full turn.
__________________
Rob Prior
1996 RV-6 "Tweety" C-FRBP (formerly N196RV)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-01-2012, 08:53 AM
douglassmt douglassmt is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 714
Default Washer

If I recall, all I did was put a large AN washer between the drain fitting and the fairing. Works great. No messing around with threads. No leaks.
__________________
Bryan Douglass
=VAF= 2020 dues paid
RV-10 N242BD
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-01-2012, 10:44 AM
bruceh's Avatar
bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,368
Default

I got them on as tight as I could and they still had some play, so I put a bead of proseal on the flange and around the outer edge. Now they are glued securely in place.

__________________
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flown over 800 hours!
http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
APRS Tracking for KJ6YRP and New Flying Blog
2020 VAF donator
EAA Tech Counselor, Build assistance - canopy/tanks/fiberglass/electrical/repairs
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:18 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.