My Fokker DVII Project

Jeff,

there is hope. After airborne in your Fok. D VII you will feel much lighter...

ZAK

[Jeff Brooks]

Hi all, I am looking for help finding solid fuel lines. As I look through the aircraft spruce catalog, I only see fuel lines made of plastic or flexible hose. I thought they would be more like the aluminum lines in a car or truck? Where can I find that solid fuel line type? ... or is there a reason for only the flexible plastic type sold?

[Joe Perkel]

Originally Posted by Jeff Brooks

Hi all, I am looking for help finding solid fuel lines. As I look through the aircraft spruce catalog, I only see fuel lines made of plastic or flexible hose. I thought they would be more like the aluminum lines in a car or truck? Where can I find that solid fuel line type? ... or is there a reason for only the flexible plastic type sold?

Jeff,

I remember from A&P school that you can use fixed tubing except where it connects to the engine. There is a short passage on the subject of lines from the AC 65 chapt 4 pg 83.... http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Gu...hapter%204.pdf

Based on this passage, I searched an automotive source for you......

Aluminum Fuel Line

[jumpinjan]

Originally Posted by Jeff Brooks

Hi all, I am looking for help finding solid fuel lines.

Jeff,
This is very easy. Go to your NAPA store, order 1/4" x 25' steel brake line coil (part #641-4001). About $30.
If you want a none rusting material, there is high performance CNF (Copper Nickel Ferrous alloy), thats $110 per 25' coil.
Use the common brass compression fittings from Ace hardware.
Jan

[baldeagle]

I don't think anybody uses steel fuel lines for aircraft (?), and I think you want at least 3/8" for the Ranger, but aluminum tubing for fuel lines is readily available from the usual sources:

Wicks Aircraft Supply


5052-0 ALUMINUM TUBING from Aircraft Spruce

Originally I believe that the fuel lines were copper. Some people frown on that since copper is said to work harden and be prone to cracking over time, but I've seen copper fuel lines on aircraft that I'm quite sure had not been changed for many years and flying hours and were still working fine. In the old days I've read that they used to remove the copper fuel lines every so often and anneal them. Lindbergh is said to have demanded that all of the fuel lines in the "Spirit of St. Louis" should have hose connections put into them to provide isolation from vibration, just in case.

[Jeff Brooks]

Excellent! Joe, Jan, & baldeagle thanks for the help!

[ulpilot]

Aluminum fuel lines are the accepted standard, and lighter than steel. Also aircraft fuel fittings are aluminum. steel lines would set up a dissimilar metal corrosion point. Go to the aluminum section of the Spruce catalog to find what you need. The I.D. of the fuel line depends on the fuel flow requirements for your engine, usually 50% (?) more than the engine requires at full throttle. Probably 3/8 for your Ranger, but better check for yourself.

[jumpinjan]

I'm just trying to make it easy on Jeff. Aluminum tube needs a 37 degree flared ends, right? You need to get a flaring tool, Jeff, and as well as the tube cutter.
Also, does the Ranger drink enough fuel to require a 3/8" line? Jeff, be careful bending those big lines, so they don't kink.

[Jeff Brooks]

Originally Posted by jumpinjan

Also, does the Ranger drink enough fuel to require a 3/8" line?

I measured the opening to the Ellison Throttle I have ... it was 1/4"

[baldeagle]

Even Cubs and Champs use 3/8" fuel lines. Find out what PT-19s use, but it will be at least 3/8".