Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I got an Air Wolf oil filter kit, but I didn't like it for the T-18.
Didn't seem right for a plans built plane, so I bought a $5 block of 6061 aluminum at the Metal Supermarket and started band-sawing, drilling, tapping & filing.
"Feisty" doesn't use a Vernatherm, just the plunger ball to control oil to the cooler, so I don't want the complex adapter. Also, I can mount the oil temp sensor on a boss on the oil filter housing I have in mind.
[img][attachment=0]photo.JPG][/img]
The picture is 90 degrees rotated to the left, a typical iPhone phenomenon..
I can take several more ounces out of it by porting out the oil side and cutting down the outside around the oil fitting ports.

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

LOVE it! Not that's experimental aviation.
Cubes

Most excellent !

RB

That's a pretty good lookin piece of work!! Dan

The "Air Dog" oil filter adapter after Gary J took it to task on his mill, then I had a whack at it with a belt sander, a cut-off disc, a die grinder and some sand paper...almost done.
Then we finished the remaining 8 T-18 rear spars for outer wing panels.
Gary is an enthusiastic T-18 parts hoarder and very good with making things, so I'm hoping to work with him on building T-18 ribs next.

_________________
Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

A little more off the top please !

RB
Shazam

I've just started to experiment with Solidworks now that we have access as an EAA member. Here is my 3D rendition of and adapter, didn't model the threads in the holes.



Not to bad for a first try at learning a new software tool. Now I just need to discover how to convert a Solidworks model to g-code and put it on my CNC router to make one for myself.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

Bruce;
That's a nice design. I know you have a different accessory case than I do, but in my case I have to machine a cavity into the bottom of my adapter. It must be big enough to expose the oil pump discharge, the cooler return and a small (vent?) port to the adapter fitting on it's way to the remote filter. It also needs to comply with the shape of a stock gasket. You may want to check yours (or maybe you already did!) for proper spacing, then if the ports are close together, make sure the AN fittings you intend to use don't interfere with each other when you thread them in? I moved my supply port away from the return port so I could thread in a 45 degree elbow without hitting the other fitting. Still, I decided to use straight 3/8" NPT male / -8 AN male fittings in the adapter, and use sweep elbows on the hose ends for less flow restriction. I know, I obsess...

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

This is what I designed and made for my T-18 from a hunk of aluminum quite a few years ago when engine-mounted spin-on filter adapters were not available that would fit the T-18 without hitting the landing gear assembly (and the vertically mounted filter was also unique at that time). It's worked very well for over 20 years.

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Scott,
I have the same ports to cover, this was a first stab at using Solidworks to do the 3D design. It was a good example for a first part. The good news is that it is easy to modify the model to include the required ports.

In case you haven't seen the news item, EAA members can now have free access to a Solidworks student design kit - EAA Maker Edition for personal use.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

John;
That is a fine bit of work you made there!
I was planning to buy the filter housing from Summit Racing, but now you've gone and dunnit!
I'll have to get another chunk of aluminum and make that part too! I didn't find a pre-made one that exactly fit my layout.

Bruce;
Thanks for the tip on Solidworks 3D, I'll look into it!

_________________
Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

Scott,
http://www.eaa.org/solidworks

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

B&C makes a 90 degree filter adaptor that fits... With their adaptor's adaptor.

part#BC700-H and FK502-1.4

On in an hour, works fine, last long time

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http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/

Those are very nice... I accused them of copying my design one year at Oshkosh (jokingly - sort-of). The concept is similar, but the design is improved, lighter, & more elegantly done. Not sure how well they would fit my particular set-up, but that's the way I would go nowadays. I had less "disposable income" back then, and it was just kinda' cool to be able to design & make something that nobody else had at the time. It was over 20 years ago!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Yes;
Well, I started with a screen, bought an Air Wolf filter system (but didn't care for it on my T-18) and started making my own. Gary J showed me the B&C 90 degree adapter, but it looks like a mess when the filter is unscrewed. I'm having fun with my own. My adapter is now on 'Feisty', hose parts are 'on order', and I've drawn up the filter + oil temp sender mount.
Besides, I'm waiting for Bruce F to CNC route the block of aluminum I gave him, it's a Do It Yourself thing!

_________________
Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE