Brief Description: Minor Setback with Fuel Tank cover plates
While I was running dedicated grounds for the fuel senders, I noticed that I prosealed the tank cover pWhile I was running dedicated grounds for the fuel senders, I noticed that I pro-sealed the tank cover plates 180 degrees in the opposite direction. The distance between the fuel supply and the overflow / vent line was 8" and the fuselage has 3". I bit the bullet and got out my heat gun and removed the tank access plates and cleaned up the old proseal. Before I used the heat gun I tried used a solvent on the first wing. When I tried removing the screws I stripped a bunch of them. I then had to drill them and use a screw extractor. They all snapped flush and I had to drill out the plate nuts and redo the assembly after removing the plate. What a royal pain this was.
I ordered new pro-seal from Vans and I will need to get some MEK to do a final cleaning before resealing the tanks the next few days.
On a positive note, I read horror stories how difficult it was to remove pro-seal. With my heat gun on high I got the aluminum pretty hot then the screws came out without stripping and using a putty knife removed the plates very easily. Not sure if you could do this unless the tanks are completely dry.
Read on VAF that when the wings are on it is a bear to remove the standard issue Phillips head screws so I ordered a bunch of SS Allen head socket screws from McMaster Carr. If I ever have to remove the sender it will be much easier with an Allen wrench vs. a screwdriver. Two steps forward one step back for today.
