Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    Paul, I Sure hope you have success venting the header tank through the right wing root.  Jeff's Avid was vented that way when I started flying it; it kept the tail well coated with fuel and wrecked the turtle deck.  We changed it to just vent through the tanks like mine is. Have never had a problem with 3 planes vented this way.
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  2. RDavidson added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    @Cliff,
    I'm interested to see how the KBS holds up! We need a sealant to work, because if AV gas disappears it might be the only solution that doesn't require us removing our fiberglass tanks. So, we have to keep trying.

    @everyone else
    I looked into everything...sealants, aluminum, plastic, but when everything weighed out I decided to go with plain fiberglass. Sealant can cause clogging/venting issues, welded aluminum tanks can have rupture problems due to vibration/prop wash, and the plastic tanks are having issues with fuel line attachment leaks (I read one post on that, my original problem was loosing a few gallons of usable fuel because the plastic tanks went inside the fiberglass tanks.)
    The real solution is for somebody to spend the money to mold a plastic tank that completely replaces our fiberglass tanks.
    So, I'm running straight fiberglass until somebody (Cliff) has a good experience with a sealant, or I get a fuel leak.


    Ron
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  3. EDMO added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    My Kitfox tanks only have two baffles making three sections - the venting is KISS and works!
    I have the diagrams of the Magnum vents - they are like some I have seen on spam cans - they should work for tank pressures and overflow, but cant see where they would help a header tank vent back to the wings...Maybe I missed something...
    EDMO
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  4. Guest added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    Hi Paul,
    The Magnum tanks are different that other Avid tanks. Filler is different, venting is way different and outlet size is larger all to accomodate the up to 180 HP engine the Magnum can support. The tanks are however the same size and shape externally and could be interchanged. Internally there is all of the tank vent and cross-tank vent plumbing in the Magnum tanks that the regular Avid tanks don't have, and the internal baffling is different. The The Magnum tanks have three internal bays and all other Avid tanks have four smaller bays.
     
    Dos this answer your question?
     
    Chris
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  5. Guest added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    Clif my apologies if my comment offended. I know there are people who have coated tanks and had no problem. Some have had problems. What I said is my opinion and I should have been more sensitive to the fact what I say might offend others. I try not to dis other's approaches to problem solving but I failed here. My apologies again.
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  6. Luked added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    I missed the earlier discussion about the thermostat. The only experience I have with this is from when I installed a Subaru engine in our 87 VW vanagon. The cooling system is fairly complex because the radiator and front heater core are at the opposite end of the vehicle from the engine.
     
    Anyway, I found that having a good flow of heated coolant directed at the thermostat was required to make the thermostat function properly. I had to buy a special spacer (designed by another Vanagon guy) to go in the thermostat housing to accomplish this. Temp stays rock solid now.
     
    btw, glad to hear you are making progress Larry. That's more than I can say for my project lately.
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  7. EDMO added a post in a topic wing building   

    The Avid manual tells you (with the wing upside-down) to set up a vertical (should be 91 degree) post the same height as your strut and spar fuselage fittings, then attach your struts to that and to the spar fittings before clamping and drilling the spar fittings - something like you described, but without using the fuselage.
    EDMO
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  8. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Day 4 of working on the "cowl flap" for the radiator.  I'm beginning to hate my life.  I am now committed to finishing this damn idea and making it work, though...
     
     
    Seriously, I am near finishing the fabrication and building stage on the fuselage.  Then the big disassembly and the airframe goes out for sandblast and powder coating.  Wings are next.  Actually should be pretty easy.  Just disassemble, clean, revarnish the ribs, install the new fuel tanks, mount the pitot/AOA mast, mount the remote compass for the Dynon and slap a little fabric back on them.
     
    I have a high goal of maybe even flying this thing next year…  Maybe.
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  9. TJay added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    wing building
    here is a good question for you guys I have been looking at the manual about building the wings for my kitfox 1 and it states place the wing strut attach brackets on the spars, it gives a measurement of like 86 1/2 inches then it says drill, debur, glue and rivet. Now to me it makes more sense to hose clamp them on, then after rigging attach them. like I see pictures of people doing. what do you guys think
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  10. TJay added a post in a topic 2 cycle to 4 cycle   

    yeah I agree I have a 582 also for this thing I just really love that 912 probably better just keep it light and slow.
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  11. EDMO added a post in a topic 2 cycle to 4 cycle   

    My KF1 had the NSI Turbo Soob and a 25 lb battery almost to the tail.
    Speaking of tails: I thought Joey was going to measure one?
    EDMO
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  12. cliff added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    Chris, I knew I shouldn't have posted anything about sealing my tanks. Thank you for letting me know that there is no coating that will seal a tank. 
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  13. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Differences between Fat, Plus, Pursang, Airdale, and Magnum Fuses   

    Delta Romeo go to the Files and Forms forum. It's less than a page of threads and has loads of info including the complete history of Avids, all the different wing specs, along with lots of other technical data all compiled into one place.
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  14. C5Engineer added a post in a topic 2 cycle to 4 cycle   

    Only seen one other KF1 converted to a 912 and it took lots of modifications. Weight and balance and the inadequate tail surfaces were two of his biggest challenges. The early models were a poor match for heavier engines in their stock form.
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  15. TJay added a post in a topic 2 cycle to 4 cycle   

    yeah the front is off to the left so a 4 stroke would work great I thought of that later but a 582 with a gear box will be lots of left rudder.
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  16. allonsye added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    Speaking of "fiberglass" tanks, what about the late 80's / early 90's era C model fiberglass tanks? Are these the "original" glass referred to by Chris?  My '92 build was done with no venting other than the caps. Venting the header is presently in the works however as suggested in the '91 C Heavy Hauler Build Manual -- out through the right cabin side of the wing-root.   Indeed ventin a critical topic addressed by Avid Service letter.
     
    Too bad the glass tanks appear susceptible to ethanol.  There's numerous threads addressing it in boating forums as well. It seems the optimum construction material (indeed especially for the HH wing from what I can see in the plans) with respect to max strength and the least weight for aircraft. Fortunately where I am NC, we have an abundance of 93 non-ethanol available. 
     
    Apologies to Vance for hijacking the thread.
     
    btw - My aircraft has only been serviced w/100LL all it's life until I purchased it last year and they appear immaculate especially inside fwiw. I plan on burning 93 non-ethanol however mostly.
     
     
    Paul
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  17. EDMO added a post in a topic 2 cycle to 4 cycle   

    My KF 1 did not have the offset you mentioned - maybe someone tried to counter the P-factor for the 2-stroke?  You can change it now, or plan on adding a trim tab for an opposite-turning engine.
    EDMO
    You didn't say if the front or the rear was to the left - the front to the left would be OK for a right--turning engine.
    EDMO
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  18. EDMO added a post in a topic Avid MK V for sale (John Larsen's Pursang)   

    As an update - This plane did a summersault on a golf course - He is rebuilding - The only other one of the nine kits made I have seen for sale is priced at $35K with one hour time in Alaska.
    EDMO
    Guess you could contact Lostman and see if he wants to sell the parts and the fuselage he got from me.
    EDMO
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  19. Guest added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    The original Avid Magnum fiberglass tanks have a very sophisticated venting system unlike all other Avid tanks. It works very well. I would not recommend coating the inside of the tanks unless you are willing to cut them open to do it. Even then that should only be done to repair a leak.
     
    No coating you can put on the inside of the tanks will prevent eventual deterioriation if the underlying material is subject to decay with ethanol. There will always be one spot that was missed or some exposure of the substrate at the filler or drain penetrations.
     
    The original glass tanks ar far and away the best solution asuming 1) you test them for leakage prior to install and fix any leaks, 2) never use ethanol. Ethanol is not compatible with rubber parts in the lycoming anyway. I had great luck with non ethanol auto fuel in my Magnum tanks.
     
    Another option might be to fit current kitfox tanks in if the wing profile is similar, but they won't have the superior venting system the Avid Magnum tanks have.
     
     
    Chris
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  20. coverall added a post in a topic Avid MK V for sale (John Larsen's Pursang)   

    What is the asking sale price?
     
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  21. cliff added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    The KBS sealer is silver. I have been painting motorcycles for over 30 years and have seen every type of tank sealer known to man. I have seen the off white cream sealer fail many times. There is a red product that looks like transmission fluid, It works well but It wasn't known if it would work in fiberglass tanks. The KBS Coatings product had specific instructions for use in fiberglass tanks. One of the custom bike builders that I did paint work for had been using the KBS for years with no problems. I just figured I would try it. I have a fiberglass right tank and a metal left tank. I sealed them both with KBS sealer. We will see if it holds up. I am running clear fuel lines so I can keep an eye out for any break down of the sealer. I will post the name of the product when I go back out to the shop.
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  22. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    Thanks, cliff. That's good to know information. Can you give any more details on the product?

    I have then factory installed "Cream" in my yellow plane. So far, no worries, but it has never seen ethanol, either...
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  23. cliff added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    I sealed the inside of my fiberglass tank with a product from KBS coatings. It is a fuel tank sealer for steel or fiberglass tanks. It is not effected by ethanol and was easy to use with the tank out of the wing. There was an extensive washing and etching process and then the sealer was poured in and the tank was rotated until the entire inside was coated. I haven't reported on it until now because I wanted to make sure it worked, I have had fuel in it for a few months with no leaks and no softening of the fiberglass. So far ao good. I will let you all know if it fails in the future.
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  24. TJay added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    2 cycle to 4 cycle
    If I was to adapt my 912 to my kitfox 1 would it be wise to straiten out the vertical of my plane. right now I stand behind it and my vertical is a couple degrees to the left which I'm sure works well for the 2 cycle but how bout the 4 cycle. anybody else have this issue
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  25. marksires added a post in a topic Fiberglass or Plastic fuel tanks?   

    Ok then, how about the sia marchetti?
    Mark
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