Fuel tank strap...the downside of working solo (most times)

[DBeaulieu]

While working with fuel tanks yesterday I noticed that one of my fuel tank straps was not bolted in at an attach point. Evidently it has been this way since I took delivery of the factory QB kit. What I find interesting is that I have had the fuel tanks out of this wing more than once over the past year and most recently the past month. When measuring and cutting the hole for the tank drain in the fuel cover panel and then checking fit, I noticed that the bung sat below level of the tank cover. This was different than on the previous wing where the bung sat proud of the cover. The difference or why, never clicked...should have been a clue something was amiss. After I inserted longer bolt and attached strap to attach point the tank now sits proper and I can accurately mark my holes for fuel outlets and fuel level lines.

The point of recounting this is to raise awareness of potential pitfalls when working alone, (no set of 2nd or 3rd eyes) and being too focused or narrow in view when completing tasks on the build.

Build on!

Dave (from Maine)

fuel tank strap.jpg

[alaskabearhawk]

I had this happen more often than I can count during my build. When it happened, I called it a "BFO", or Blinding Flash of the Obvious!

[OhioLSA]

Wow, fuel tank attachments are done by the factory now? Not so when I got my "QB" kit...

[DBeaulieu]

OhioLSA At least 3 out of four

[OhioLSA]

But I appreciate your point: another set of eyes spots things that we just don't notice.

[TJ_Slice]

Speaking of fuel tank straps, how tight should they be? Do you measure torque or tension?

[DBeaulieu]

TJ_Slice Good question, I just tensioned them a few revolutions past uniformly max finger tight for now. Maybe someone can chime in before I do the permanent install.

[TJ_Slice]

Something else I discovered when working with the straps, which is probably painfully obvious, but makes things much easier. When installing or removing the tensioning bars, only completely remove one of the screws. Back the other one out so that it is holding on by a few turn. It's much easier to remove and get the bars back in place, especially if you have larger hands.

[DBeaulieu]

I finally went and purchased slightly longer Allen head bolts at local hardware store the extra 1/4" makes it very easy to get the barrels inserted and started with threading.

[podo]

I'm also currently working on the tank bay and have found corrosion my Patrol's kit straps. Oddly the top straps with the gray anti-scuff sleeves are clean but all the red sleeved straps have rust. Red dye acid? I intend to replace these straps and am stuck on whether to use rubber or felt (or something else) for the anti-chafe. Any suggestions / reasons to use one over another? Thanks.

[rodsmith]

I'm also currently working on the tank bay and have found corrosion my Patrol's kit straps. Oddly the top straps with the gray anti-scuff sleeves are clean but all the red sleeved straps have rust. Red dye acid? I intend to replace these straps and am stuck on whether to use rubber or felt (or something else) for the anti-chafe. Any suggestions / reasons to use one over another? Thanks.

I used 1" x 1/16" rubberized cork strips obtained from Amazon.

[alaskabearhawk]

I used the adhesive-backed felt 1-1/2 X 1/16 from AS:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/windinstacc2.php?clickkey=5104

[DBeaulieu]

This was recommended to me by local AP/IA

https://bac-online.com/fuel-tank-tape-polyken-231-ppp-t-60e/

alaskabearhawk any concerns with moisture retention with the felt?

[alaskabearhawk]

None whatsoever. Felt has been used for decades on fuel tank straps. The main thing is to have something that will hold up over time.

[DBeaulieu]

Initially I was thinking cork, but I do think felt does hold up better than cork. Thanks for the reply!