Fuel line

[Bjorn]

Have anybody made the fuel line go on the outside ( between the wing and fuselage) from the top of the fwd door frame and then to the flex connection for the tank ?
Consider to do it with the fwd and aft fuel line .
Do I get any problems later when I put on the wings ?

Thanks
Bjørn

[Bjorn]

This is what I mean
Bjørn

[Bdflies]

That's how I did mine. I didn't see any reason to do otherwise. But, my wings aren't mounted yet.....

Bill

[Bjorn]

The advantage is that the line will most probably be more protected running outside than inside

Bjørn

[AZBearhawk272]

Keep in mind that fuel needs to flow downhill to get to the engine. The run should slope downhill from the tank outlet to the engine.
The line shown in the photo appears to be located above where the forward pickup is on the tank. Locating the line this high up
Will leave a larger amount of unusable fuel in the tank.

Kevin D # 272

[Zzz]

The advantage is that the line will most probably be more protected running outside than inside

Bjørn

Protected from what? That area of the cockpit has a sunvisor being moved around at the most. I think the advantage would be mostly a cleaner aesthetic.

[Battson]

Yes, that is where I put mine.

I would advocate having a longer run of flexible hose, and short stub ends on the hard fuel line. That makes the job of fitting the wings and connecting the tanks as easy as possible.

Don't forget to consider the flap drive when positioning the rear fuel line, particularly the thicker flexible section.

[Bjorn]

Thanks Kevin
Jonathan "the short stub ends on the hard fuel line" ,do you mean from the tank ?

[Zzz]

Thanks Kevin
Jonathan "the short stub ends on the hard fuel line" ,do you mean from the tank ?

I think he means minimize the alum line once you've reached that area, and use more flex hose for the last inches to the tank.

[Bjorn]

I have not seen it yet ,but could it be a good solution to use flex hose from the hard line at the fuselage to the tank?

[Mark Goldberg]

That is what I have done on my airplanes Bjorn. A short section of flexible line from the fuselage to the tank fittings. Mark

[Battson]

I agree - I used hard line and it was a NIGHTMARE (I was following the BH Book or maybe the Manual). It is Very much easier to use flexible line from the tank fittings to the fuselage.

[Bjorn]

I think I will go for the same solution as you have Mark
Bjørn

[Mark Goldberg]

The fuel line I used at first was a good quality auto racing fuel line. The best rubber hose available locally. But it started seeping fuel after 5 or 6 years. Then I replaced with aircraft grade fuel hoses and they have been fine ever since. Mark

[n144sh]

Just a comment if you do use the flex line (which I did as well) - it is a good idea to put a bead in the line to retain the clamp and create a good seal. A beading tool is not that expensive and readily available through auto race shops or maybe even an auto parts store.

[Battson]

You can get a cheap and effective one from ACS.

[Bjorn]

I did plan to use flex hose with fittings. Any experiences that it is better to bead the line and use clamps ?

[JimParker256]

I plan to use flex hoses (aircraft grade) with a bead and clamp on mine. Just remember to use aircraft-grade clamps of the proper size instead of the ones from Lowes Aviation... Those cheap ones have pretty rough edges and grab / pinch the hose as you tighten. Fine for the garden hose, not so great for the fuel hose...

[jaredyates]

You could also use a flex line with threaded flared fittings on each end instead of the beading. Then use a flared union to connect the hard and flex lines. I used 5052-0 all the way to the tank, and I don't remember that being any more difficult than any of the other lines, once the wings are on. Trying to make the lines before the wings are on is likely not going to be productive.

[Zzz]

I stubbed mine off and will resume that project when the wings are on. Like Jared said, there's no point without a sure target.