Aluminum Fuel Tank

Discussion for builders, pilots, owners, and those interested in building or owning a second generation Sonex or Waiex.

Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby Onex107 » Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:25 am

Just for the record. There were no plastic threads in my Onex tank. The threads were in aluminum, molded in fittings, that were two different sizes. The leaks occurred around the molded in fittings when the valve or fuel line fittings were over torqued, I did not need the OOPs fittings I bought, just in case, for the eight years I flew it.
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Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby BobDz » Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:33 pm

Onex107 wrote:Just for the record. There were no plastic threads in my Onex tank


My mistake. I misread/ misinterpreted an earlier unrelated post. Will attempt to remove my foot from my mouth.

(STILL may fabricate an aluminum tank)
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Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby SnakePilot » Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:22 pm

Anyone willing to share plans or patterns for an aluminum B model tank?
Waiex B Tail-dragger - 2850 Corvair Project
Coupe Top, Steam Gauges, Center Stick
Aluminum Main & Aux Tank
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Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby SnakePilot » Tue Apr 16, 2024 11:25 pm

... and a parts/fittings/hardware list and sources would be very helpful! Thanks!
Waiex B Tail-dragger - 2850 Corvair Project
Coupe Top, Steam Gauges, Center Stick
Aluminum Main & Aux Tank
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Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby BobDz » Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:55 am

I think the parts needed will depend on whether it's a riveted or welded tank. Besides the aluminum, you need a filler, vent, and fuel outlet to the engine. The race car, and boating world's have a multitude of weldable aluminum fittings for a welded fuel tank.

I did find one, only one, professor YouTube video on a riveted tank using much lighter aluminum sheet. I found a tank filler that is a bolt on piece, which can be riveted, on Amazon.
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Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby SnakePilot » Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:22 am

@BobDz, thanks for your reply.
Were you able to acquire patterns for the tank, or are you going to create your own?
Waiex B Tail-dragger - 2850 Corvair Project
Coupe Top, Steam Gauges, Center Stick
Aluminum Main & Aux Tank
Fort Worth TX
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Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby BobDz » Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:40 am

SnakePilot

I will most likely create my own. Should be easy enough. I do have the poly tank in my shop that I could use as a template. I figure I can start there and make any modifications or adjustments as needed. I'd like to come up with a better fuel fill situation, but I need to be farther along in my build to easily visualize that. Probably need to be farther along in my decisions as well. I was all set to go with an AeroVee Turbo, but after my recent issues with backorders, that's probably not going to happen.

If you didn't live so far away, I'd just come over and help build the tank. Two heads, etc...
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Sonex B, Tri-gear
(technically within walking distance of Sonex)
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Re: Aluminum Fuel Tank

Postby SnakePilot » Wed Apr 17, 2024 12:03 pm

OK, thanks. Please stay in touch with your project and your discoveries.
Waiex B Tail-dragger - 2850 Corvair Project
Coupe Top, Steam Gauges, Center Stick
Aluminum Main & Aux Tank
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