Fwd fuel line routing

[U2fletch]

There is a picture of the fuel routing in one of the old manuals. It shows the routing that I've seen a number of people do.:

However, my kit has a hole in the forward door post area that looks like a fuel line is intended to go through it. If that is true, the fuel line would go down the aft edge of the corner post tube, instead of in front of it, then turn forward through this hole and then down towards the fuel T. It seems to make sense, but just want some confirmation.

[jaredyates]

I'm not sure if I understand entirely, but since the first picture was taken, there was a design improvement to move the T fitting down to a dedicated tab on the longeron, instead of on the former itself. It is possible there has been an additional change, but excepting that, you would want your forward lines to be forward of its forward post, and your left aft line to be behind its aft left post. The right aft line gets a little more complicated because of the cargo door, but there are several ways to minimize its exposure to the doorways. Lots of folks havs wrapped that column when covering the fuselage.

[Battson]

Totally agree. This seems to cover it ^

[U2fletch]

Asked Virgil what the hole was for, and he said that it is for a jigging fixture at the factory. Nothing to see here. Ignore the hole. Now I am intrigued with what I can put in there to be useful.

[jaredyates]

Some of the things that pass through that area in my installations include back seat audio, mic, and ANR power cables, back seat 12v charging jacks, and control stick PTT wires. Also, serial wires going back to the ELT, and mayne ELT remote also.

[Jskyking]

I’ll be back in the shop on Tuesday- I’ll send pictures of my routing with explanations. I ran continuous 5052 sections from the bulkhead fuel fittings to daylight. I overbent the right side on a vertical section up the door trim. I ended up installing a Union. Although, a union in this area isn’t a bad idea if you have future fuel line issues and you cover the inside of the fuselage. I may end up in installing a precautionary union on the left side for the aforementioned reason. // jt

[Jskyking]

Here you go. There’s a Tygon sleeve every place there’s a possibility of touching tube. Of special note- along the upper longeron , you’ll go outside the fabric and a double bend was used to reduce stress on the fuel lines. Final fitment will be completed when the wings are attached. These upper forward IMG_3260.jpg IMG_3260.jpg lines are easily positioned with a 3/8 spring bender sleeve.

[Have-Purple]

Great pictures. I'm starting fuel lines soon.

[U2fletch]

Very nice! I probably spent way too much time trying to get my lines tucked into the door sills, and hugging the corner posts. Probably not worth the effort. My left, aft fuel line run was done with 1 piece of tubing, which was a pain, but it works.

[Bcone1381]

lines are easily positioned with a 3/8 spring bender sleeve.

I'm curious what you mean by "positioned." Does that mean a "small adjustment", or "bent from a straight tube to final fit"? I have one in my tool box but never used it.

[Jskyking]

Bent. Lateral fuel line running along the upper longeron. I used a continuous run of 5052 so I had a nice length of tube running from the door former to allow flexion in the fuel line while bending. The shorter the length of fuel line and the angle to be bent , the more difficult it will be to bend. Upside- builds hand strength. Sometimes, a test piece might be prudent. // jt