Hose and cable routing

[Ben Ellis]

First time builder here and venturing into the unknown a bit due to installing an IO-390-EXP119 on an RV-8, which means that there is no FWF kit and I have to order custom hoses and control cables.

I need to figure out the specs of hoses to order, so I was hoping to get some general tips about choosing the routing of hoses and control cables FWF. Some of the questions that have crossed my mind are how much slack should there be in the hoses/cables, how do you best route the hoses/cable to keep them from creating clutter, and should all hoses/cables in general be clamped to the engine mount for support? I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking about.

Also, strictly for hoses, I would assume that straight fittings (vs elbows) are preferred in general, but are there some places where angled fittings make more sense, and in such cases is it better to use an angled AN fitting or an angled connector on the hose?

 

[TS Flightlines]

First time builder here and venturing into the unknown a bit due to installing an IO-390-EXP119 on an RV-8, which means that there is no FWF kit and I have to order custom hoses and control cables.

I need to figure out the specs of hoses to order, so I was hoping to get some general tips about choosing the routing of hoses and control cables FWF. Some of the questions that have crossed my mind are how much slack should there be in the hoses/cables, how do you best route the hoses/cable to keep them from creating clutter, and should all hoses/cables in general be clamped to the engine mount for support? I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking about.

Also, strictly for hoses, I would assume that straight fittings (vs elbows) are preferred in general, but are there some places where angled fittings make more sense, and in such cases is it better to use an angled AN fitting or an angled connector on the hose?

Ben---send me an email.
Tom

 

[Norman CYYJ]

First time builder here and venturing into the unknown a bit due to installing an IO-390-EXP119 on an RV-8, which means that there is no FWF kit and I have to order custom hoses and control cables.

I need to figure out the specs of hoses to order, so I was hoping to get some general tips about choosing the routing of hoses and control cables FWF. Some of the questions that have crossed my mind are how much slack should there be in the hoses/cables, how do you best route the hoses/cable to keep them from creating clutter, and should all hoses/cables in general be clamped to the engine mount for support? I'm sure there are other things I'm not thinking about.

Also, strictly for hoses, I would assume that straight fittings (vs elbows) are preferred in general, but are there some places where angled fittings make more sense, and in such cases is it better to use an angled AN fitting or an angled connector on the hose?

I would suggest that you visit as many RV's as possible and as many models as you can with the cowling off. Take lots of pictures and then when home study the the pictures. It doesn't really matter what engine they have in them. By doing this you will educate yourself how things are done and what components are used and how.

 

[RV-9erA]

First time builder here and venturing into the unknown a bit due to installing an IO-390-EXP119 on an RV-8, which means that there is no FWF kit and I have to order custom hoses and control cables.

Why not consider an IO-360 200hp angle valve engine? I think Vans offers an RV-8 FWF kit for that engine type. A stock IO-390 only gives you a 10hp advantage over an IO-360 at 2700 rpm. It also appears from the many posts on the VAF that the IO-390 is prone to sticky exhaust valves. I used Vans FWF package for my RV-9A and found it to provide many great advantages, including full sized drawings and pre-fabricated hoses with all the parts you need to complete your FWF.

 

[Ben Ellis]

Why not consider an IO-360 200hp angle valve engine? I think Vans offers an RV-8 FWF kit for that engine type. A stock IO-390 only gives you a 10hp advantage over an IO-360 at 2700 rpm. It also appears from the many posts on the VAF that the IO-390 is prone to sticky exhaust valves. I used Vans FWF package for my RV-9A and found it to provide many great advantages, including full sized drawings and pre-fabricated hoses with all the parts you need to complete your FWF.

I already have the engine and have it mounted, baffles done, oil cooler mounted, etc. Hoses and control cables are really the last part for me (other than finishing up the never ending fiberglass work) before I'm done and move to the airport for final assembly. One of those FWF kits would have been nice for sure, but I have kind of liked having to go through this process of figuring out the best way to do things and customize things to my liking.

 

[Ben Ellis]

Ben---send me an email.
Tom

Great speaking with you today, thanks for all the help.

 

[cajunwings]

Great speaking with you today, thanks for all the help.

There are different ways and places to get hoses made, but you can’t go wrong with Tom S. The good stuff isn’t cheap and you want the critical fuel and oil hoses made out of the good stuff.

Don Broussard
RV9 Rebuild in Progress (lots of Tom’s hoses on board)
57 Pacer (maybe for sale this year?)