Dave,
I have not experienced your problem with the cross link rod rubbing the
tank. Most probably your tank was installed a bit forward but it
probably did swell as you indicate.
In 13 cockpit module builds I have always had 1/2 inch clearance and
never had a tank rub even after 5 years of flying. Years ago I noticed
a plane that came in with a rubbing rod but the tank was put in a bit
askew and the aft bulkhead was pulled in 1/2 inch.
If the tank did not break its bond with the back wall or saddle then it
is really bowing quite a bit. Armed with that bit of information and
not wanting to replace the tank, can you build another tank bracket to
ease the bulge back in the saddle area?
It is a nasty hole to work in for sure, and the modded spars really hog
the room.
What I am thinking is a flat aluminum plate of stiff 6061T6 aluminimum
1/8 by say 3 inches and make a U shape around the spars and pushing up
against the tank bulge.
Not being able to see your aircraft, this is a wild assed guess.
I had no problem clearing the bolt heads by countersinking and using AN
509 416R20 screws to replace the AN 4 bolts. Countersinking was done
with a speacial tool we made. 30 minute job.
That said, it will be a game of inches for you for sure.
Borescope and time will tell what's happening I'm afraid.
Regards,
Bud Yerly
----- Original Message -----
From: djaflyact<mailto:djaflyact@gmail.com>
To: europa-list@matronics.com<mailto:europa-list@matronics.com>
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2013 11:03 AM
Subject: Europa-List: Mod 78 News - Good and Bad
<djaflyact@gmail.com<mailto:djaflyact@gmail.com>>
Well, I found the problem with interference with my right wing fit. I
had forgotten (until I pulled the left wing out again) that I had a
swelling fuel tank problem early on in the flying of the airplane. The
brackets that hold the tank back worked great - in the area of the
bracket, but in between the tank swelled until it rubbed on the aileron
cross link between the CS08 arms. My solution at the time was to move
one end of the cross link forward of the CS08. That allowed it to clear
the tank, but that is now the reason I cannot get the right wing to fit.
It has to go back to the original position.
I've got two choices: The cross link rubs the fuel tank or the I fly
with only one wing.
Since there is no reasonable choice there, I think there are also now
2 possibilities: I move the fuel tank wall back or I bend the cross link
bar to clear the swollen tank.
Right now, I only see the arcing of the cross link as the answer. If
it is not straight, it will not be as strong in compression. I doubt the
loads are very high, but there is the issue of jammed controls and the
ability to provide force in a situation like that.
Would I make a contestant arc in the tube?
Would I make a joggle in each end so that most of the rod is straight?
Would I replace it with steel?
Would I fill it with something like epoxy to make it stronger?
Can the tank wall be pushed back? I can only imagine coating it with
fiberglass or carbon cloth and some sort of hydraulic press holding it
while it cures (I doubt this is possible).
Has anyone experienced this issue with the fuel tank?
Of course, the temperatures here have dropped to 0F at night, which is
making progress more difficult. I am getting close, however.
Thanks,
Dave
A227
Mini U2
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