Larry- I tried the same thing with a NEW 3/8-18 NPT tap , and all I got out of it was another half turn into the VA-210! That makes a total of 1 1/2 turns in- not nearly enough! The VA-261 should thread in about 3 to 4 turns. Luckily, unlike Marty and yourself, I had not yet installed the VA-210 in the tank bottom. It was at that point that I called VANS, and I guess, inadvertantly, initiated the recall process. SteveWell, I gave it a try with a 3/8"x18 NPT Pipe thread tap. I used a Channel Lock pliers (water pump pliers) built for pipe to hold the boss while I ran the tap about 3/4 ths the way in, worked great. Very little side pressure on the boss so I'm sure the seal is good. I packed the flutes of the tap with grease to try and catch as much of the chips as I could. All I need to do now is clean the tank out by flushing it with fuel a couple of times. I'll filter the gas with cheese cloth and put it back in the gas can.
If you have already sealed your tank the boss can be tapped out without damaging the tank. Make sure you are using a sharp (new) tap. Don't use the one that has been bouncing around in your tool box for 10 years.....like mine. A tap this size can be sharpened on the grinder if you are careful, but a new tap will work better.
Larry- I tried the same thing with a NEW 3/8-18 NPT tap , and all I got out of it was another half turn into the VA-210! That makes a total of 1 1/2 turns in- not nearly enough! The VA-261 should thread in about 3 to 4 turns. Luckily, unlike Marty and yourself, I had not yet installed the VA-210 in the tank bottom. It was at that point that I called VANS, and I guess, inadvertantly, initiated the recall process. Steve
Larry- I tried the same thing with a NEW 3/8-18 NPT tap , and all I got out of it was another half turn into the VA-210! That makes a total of 1 1/2 turns in- not nearly enough! The VA-261 should thread in about 3 to 4 turns. Luckily, unlike Marty and yourself, I had not yet installed the VA-210 in the tank bottom. It was at that point that I called VANS, and I guess, inadvertantly, initiated the recall process. Steve
Pete- I got my replacement VA-210 from VANS last Friday. The new part worked just fine- the VA-261 easily threaded in about 4 turns, just like it's supposed to, so I went ahead and installed it in the tank. SteveSteve,
Did they ever give you any idea when they were going to send out the new parts? I'm like you...haven't put it in yet and keep considering whether to try and tap it or not like Larry did.
John- How long are you waiting for the sealant to cure? I just finished my tank today. I plan on doing the balloon test on the tank first, but then I'm going to put 20 gallons of gas in the tank, before I install it in the airplane. I suppose I'm being ultra conservative, but I've just got to prove to myself that it won't leak, before it goes in the fuselage. Steve P.S. How long to cure before gas goes in the tank?Laid the tank across a couple saw horses and drilled up from the bottom. The pieces inside were close by that way. Got all 6 pieces out and the new piece gooooo'd on in less than an hour. Start new pressure test in a few days.
John Bender
Thanks, John- I guess I'll give it a week. In the meantime, I'm going to attack those two cowl pieces. SteveI think they said a week to fully cure. I have waited maybe 3 days and started the pressure/balloon test. Not sure I would put in gas until it was a week old. Just my thoughts however - nothing official for sure.
John Bender