Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I have a facet electric fuel pump plumbed in-line just after my gacolator. The fuel pump calls for a 74 micron fuel filter prior to the pump. I am using a Flow Ezy Filter which is about 6 inches long, so its really messing up my fuel routing inside the cabin. I think I have it figured out now, but its just a mock up. I need to put my on/off valve prior to the filter so I can service the filter at annual. This only works because I do not have pax side brakes. Admittedly, I have not reinstalled the floor to see what kind of clearance I have between the filter and the horizontal rudder pedal bar.

You could eliminate the extra filter by installing a filtering gascolator similar to this:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... gIU9_D_BwE

Here is the data sheet:
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... 51data.pdf

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

That's interesting, thanks Jeff.

Jeff, I think you just cost me about $300. Thanks for the tip on this. I think it fits the bill for what I need. Much cleaner routing this way!

I have to make a turn in my fuel routing. If you had to choose, which one of these would you prefer to use?

If it were me and it probably is , I would NOT use the bent alum. tubing . Too many bends for me and the possibility of cracks ? The AN fittings strung together is in my humble opinion a better choice . In order to minimize the number of fittings and "bends" I used the Aeroquip 6011/AE701 hose for fuel and oil .

RB

Thanks Rich, I think I agree about the "S" shaped fuel line. I'm working out the fuel routing from the gascolator to the electric fuel pump. I plumbed myself into a corner by locking in the location of both the gascolator and pump. Now I have to make the fuel line fit between the two. I ended up going with the two 90 degree bends and coupler. Not ideal, but I don't see how I can make it better.

Either version can crack. Neither should have any bind when installed. The aluminum “s” will be a little more forgiving in getting things lined up. Commercially built aircraft do all kinds of crazy bends on hard lines so I doubt there is any difference in reliability for a very low pressure fuel line. How did you bend it that tight? Nothing I have or looked at buying can do that.

Would there be a way to loop a hose to fit or a hose with 2 nineties?

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

Yep, I'll think about it some more, but I'm going to move on to something else for now. Usually, once I let things sit for while and I come back to them, I am able to see a better choice that I couldn't see before. As far as the "S", I just used a tube bender I have. Its nothing special, I don't even know where it came from. I did massage both ends a little tighter. I trashed many pieces of tubing that bent/creased during the massaging.

That sounds a little like how I made the bend from my tank to the shutoff valve. The bend ended up being too close to one end so the flare had to be hand formed with a punch.

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

Is it a bad idea to fit my cowl and cheeks without the engine hung?

Yes.
Cubes

I agree with what he said !

RB

Cowl needs to be 1/4 inch below spinner with new motor mounts. Engine will sag that much.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Sorry for such an ignorant question, but will a 200hp IO-360-A1A fit in the cowl/cheeks of a standard T18 without any modifications?