Thorp Air Command - T18.net

UTard here - so...the fuel tank in "The Project" seems stuck - I have loosened the straps to remove the tank, diconnected the fuel lines and by all accounts I think the tank should be loose - I cannot seem to find in the plans any other additional attach points - nuthin on top or no "deviant" connections I can see - not glued to the cradle fittings - the previous builder put cork between the tank and the top of the fuselage - the tank she no wanna move - I wish to remove it to replace the insulation around the tank and on the inside of the firewall. Do I need a sledge?
What am I missing?

_________________
Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

When mine went in it was a snug fit. Is yours a flush fuel cap ? If it is like mine, it took a little bit of force to get in in. The other possibility may be the cork strips (on the cradle) "attaching" themselves to the tank. Try "rocking" the tank to free the beast.

RB

It is tight fit in the cradles and if with time heat age it has stuck itself to the cork as well it will be tough to get out. If you can get at it from below(removable floor? or lying on your back) and pull down on the front edge that may help. Either way you can't really use anything other than tugging and cussing, the metal is quite soft and anything other than a slap with the palm of the hand will dent it badly.

Dave

Yep, it's wedged up in there Frase, you're going to have to give it a pull down on the aft edge as David pointed out.

You can also try running a piece of twine or safety wire between the tank and the cork to help "un-stick" it.

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Spray brake clean(not the mineral spirits type) on the cork/rubber.
It will soften and evaporate

Sounds like my hunch may be right concerning the cork. Not worth the effort to try and save any of it trying to remove the blasted tank. Maintaing the tank integrity is more important...no hitting the tank with large blunt objects (your head is the exception). Spruce has a molding for fuel tank straps or you can get it from Mike. Now put some muscle into it and get that tank out !

RB

Thanks for the bullets all - will attempt all of the above and report back - Rich - the straps are there - I'll leave the sledge at home and use my head.

_________________
Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Not the straps, the cork/rubber moulding that goes over the stainless steel straps.

Having been involved in two tank removals in the last year--my Thorp and Bill Cordoza's, we would recommend changing out the old thermos bottle type filler caps to the twist lock ones sold by ACS. Requires cutting out the old filler and welding a new one in, but you will be much happier in the end. Bill had a shop do his, and I am lammenting that I didn't do mine.....

Just a side note, we also both went to gravity feed to the carburator and eliminated the engine fuel pumps.

_________________
Dave M
Sacramento
ex-T-18 owner

Tank removal tip: partially loosen the straps and fill the tank with water. Gravity will do the rest. Drain. Remove.

_________________
_________
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.

DaveM,

When the flush filler is used, can it be built with a short solid tube to the tank, and still have the tank removable?

Which one from ACS did you guys use?

_________________
Rich Woodcock
N114RW - T18CW