Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel Drains

[HYTEC45@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/9/99 7:23:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time, lkline@lisco.com 
writes:

<< Yes, Cessna drain from Aircraft Spruce. >>

Be sure to get the ones with 1/4"NPT threads.  Cessna used a 1/2"-20 straight 
thd. that uses an O-ring to seal.  You would have to counter bore for the 
O-ring.  The NPT is much easier to install.  Make a small aluminum plate out 
of 5/15"-3/8" this stock, trace the outline of the plate on the inside skin 
of the strake.  Cut the inside skin, and remove the foam.  Micro the plate 
inside the hole to the outside skin, and cover with fine bid.  Be sure to 
sand the plate good.  Drill a 7/16" hole thru from the inside out, then tap 
1/4"NPT from the outside in.  The same process can be used on the floor of 
the fuselage to attach a drain from the sump tank and one for the gascolator 
or other purgable filter if used.  If the sump is off the bottom of the 
fuselage as is the STD, it is a good idea to mount the remote drains a little 
off to the side of the bottom of the fuselage if the A/C is an RG.  This way 
in the event of the unthinkable, the drains wouldn't scrape the ground.  It 
was said that drains aren't needed in some A/C because the feed lines are at 
the very bottom of the tanks.  True, but not always are we parked on level 
ground, and there needs to be a "flow" of fluids for the contaminates to 
travel to the sump to be drained.  If you get crap from the fuel truck, it 
wouldn't flow into the sump to be sampled until there was a draw of fuel from 
the engine, maybe on take-off.  Just something to consider.

TEC