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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date:  3-12-2016
Number of Hours:  1.50
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Fuel supply lines

As part of the process of installing wiring in the forward tunnel, I had encountered some interference with the wiring and fuel lines where they converged under the fuel selector. Additionally, the fuel pump brackets needed to be modified to allow wire bundles to run underneath, so while I had the fuel pump out I decided to see if I could improve the plumbing by making use of a new 180 degree tubing bender I had purchased.

Using some excess 3003 aluminum tubing, I tried every possible way to shorten the line and go directly from the selector to the filter without the sweeping 360 degree turn currently in use—all without success. It turns out that the geometry between those two connections made it impossible with 3/8” tubing as long as I left the fuel filter plumbed directly to the pump. That’s when it hit me…why did I have to leave them connected? I remember standing at the Andair display at Oshkosh and watching the owner show me how the two were set up to connect directly. The plans also show that connection, but in my case, that specific setup was causing me significant challenges. Once I removed the filter and devised a solution that would move the filter adjacent to the pump, I had my solution. The picture shows the basic idea, to be tweaked during actual reinstallation.

Finally, I had been following an ongoing debate about the use of 3003 versus 5052 tubing for the fuel system. Since I had everything out already, I decided to upgrade the tubing to the more sturdy 5052 and have placed an order for that. I will also modify the lines coming into the selector by adding bulkhead fittings and refabricating the lines from the tanks to the fuel selector enclosure.
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New plan for fuel filter attachment

New plan for fuel filter attachment

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