Today was a frustrating day. Task # 40 in the flow chart is “construct sump tank”.  Which I did a couple years ago. Then I had to lop off the lower corners because I’m running a Continental engine. There was no specifics on how much to cut off so I looked at what other builders did and duplicated that.

Now that my engine is installed, I discover that the washers for the engine mounts are interfering with the sump.

The sump tank should not be assembled until the engine has been installed. Then the positioning of the sump and the location of the cutouts can be correctly determined. As it is, we had to spend a fair amount of time adjusting the sump to clear the engine mount washers. But once that was done we can start running the fuel lines.

Here the supply lines from the strakes are run to the sump and the vent lines are started.

And a closeup of the copilot side supply line.

The manual calls for the sump drain to be installed in the bottom of the sump. A hole is then cut into the bottom of the fuselage.

Malcolm has a different approach. Install the sump drain remotely. Move it forward and to the pilot side. This approach has two benefits. One; In the event of a gear up or gear collapse, the fuel system will remain intact. Two; It is easier to drain the sump to check for fuel contaminates.

First a pilot hole is drilled through the fuselage close to the whaletail and pilot side wiring duct. Then the hole in enlarged from the outside to accommodate the drain valve.

Then the pilot hole is enlarged to accept the tubing.

Finally, the 1/4″ fuel line is run from the sump, through the gear bulkhead to the drain valve elbow.

The strake fuel tank vent lines that connect to the cross were run a couple days ago. I’m still waiting for one fitting for the fuel return line. But the main vent line can still be run.

This line is a real piece of work. From the cross, up to the roof, then a turn forward to a U-turn. Back to the firewall and down. Then a jog to the co-pilot side and down again. Bump out to clear the spar and back a little to fit in a groove in the sump and out the bottom of the fuselage.

This is the result after a couple hours of bending.

And installed.

The fuel from the sump to the engine will be the next to last of the fuel lines to be run inside the cabin (The vapor return line is the last).  The line runs from the bottom/front of the sump, through a shut-off valve and then to a bulkhead fitting that passes through the firewall.

Here’s the line from the sump to the bulkhead fitting.

and the engine side of the bulkhead fitting.