Pietenpol-List: Pressure testing a welding aluminum fuel tank

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:43 pm

Original Posted By: "Rick Holland"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:40 pm

Original Posted By: Rick Holland
Hi againProblem is that most bike pumps and fittings leak a bit. We do a lot of pressuretesting at work and some of the guidelines we use are; Pump to a pressureof no more than 4 psi. Pressure should maintain for 3 minutes.If using a bike pump, get adapters to adapt from your outlet and install a sensitivepressure gauge then a ball valve, then to the pump. Use dish soap and waterto identify leaks. Have a grease pencil available to mark problems. To build the adapter you will need a pipe nipple to go from 1/4 or 3/8 npt, whichever you installed to a 1/4" Tee, a pressure gauge mounts there and another1/4" nipple to a 1/4" ball valve. Then adapt to 1/8" with a bushing and 1/8"nipple. That should screw into a bike pump.Dick N. ----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:45 pm

Original Posted By: "Kenneth M. Heide"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:24 am

Original Posted By: "Jack T. Textor"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:41 am

Original Posted By: Hans Vander Voort
Jack asks->How did you find room for 17 gallons?NX41CC has 16 gallons in the tank and I'm sure it could have been made a tad wider to get 17. With a Corvair or Continental, you don't need the magneto "shelf" behind the firewall, leaving plenty of room for a generous tank.As far as pressure testing your tank, you don't really need to run up the pressure. I've heard of just putting an inflated balloon over the filler neck and watching it over a day or so to see if the balloon deflates.Oscar ZunigaSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Steaming cap- strips

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:41 am

Original Posted By: Kenneth M. Heide
Ken:I believe DJ experienced some frustrations with the Aerocarb, but I may be wrong.There are at least 4 Stromberg NAS3b on ebay right now. I have been watchingthem over the last couple of weeks and most go for around $250.00. WW, in hismanual indicates this is his choice for a gravity fed set up. The one withthe 1&3/8" venturi yields the more favorable results. I found one recently rebuiltfor that price from a local A&P.michael silviusscarborough, maine ----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:44 am

Original Posted By: Hans Vander Voort
Brian,I used the BBQ setup, see attached pictures.(See attached file: BBQ Ribs.pdf)Hans brian jardine To Sent by: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com owner-pietenpol-l cc ist-server@matron ics.com Subject Pietenpol-List: Steaming cap- strips 03/12/2006 04:37 PM Please respond to pietenpol-list@ma tronics.com Does anyone have any pictures of the steamer set-ups they used to steam the1/2 cap strips for the wing ribs? If you have some please, email me offlist. Thanks.Brian JardineClinton, UT________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Pressure testing a welding aluminum fuel tank

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 7:56 am

Original Posted By: "MICHAEL SILVIUS"
Rick,I just used a Balloon, the some what larger Party Balloons are perfect.Seal of the tank, connect a 3/8' piece of tubing where the fuel line goes.Blow up the balloon (basket ball size) and quickly slip it over the 3/8"tubing, ti-off with a ti-wrap.Balloon will deflate some what until pressure in tank and balloon is equal.Let it sit overnight, if balloon is still inflated in the morning, you havea sealed tank, if not find the leak.If there is a leak it will deflate within the hour.B-T-W when you have you fuel tank installed you can test the whole fuelsystem, valves, gascolator the whole lot, the same way.Hans "Rick Holland" To Sent by: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com owner-pietenpol-l cc ist-server@matron ics.com Subject Pietenpol-List: Pressure testing a welding aluminum fuel tank 03/12/2006 08:30 PM Please respond to pietenpol-list@ma tronics.com Just finished welding a 17 gal. aluminum cowl fuel tank (.040 5052 sheet)and now have to pump it up with air to test for leaks. I have a filler neckand cap on top which I think is air tight and the outlet connector on thebottom which the shutoff value will connect to. Question, is it possible toscrew some kind of adapter into the oulet and screw an auto tire value intothat so I can pump the tank up with a bicycle pump an monitor the pressurewith a tire gauge? Any better ways to do this?ThanksRick--Rick Holland"Logic is a wreath of pretty flowers, that smell bad"________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:01 am

Original Posted By: "Rick Holland"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:02 am

Original Posted By: "Steve Eldredge"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:13 am

Original Posted By: "Jack T. Textor"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:41 pm

Original Posted By: "walt evans"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:02 pm

Original Posted By: "Bill Church"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:59 am

Original Posted By: harvey rule

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:20 am

Original Posted By: "Rick Holland"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:30 am

Original Posted By: "Rick Holland"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:32 am

Original Posted By: harvey rule

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:21 am

Original Posted By: "Rick Holland"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:27 pm

Original Posted By: Rick Holland
So, if you were to recommend a set of plans, which one would you recommend fora corvair engine? I don't mind buying plans that I need, I just don't want tobe redundant. ----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:11 pm

Original Posted By: "Rick Holland"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:15 pm

Original Posted By: Rick Holland
Thanks. ----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:13 pm

Original Posted By: "Bill Church"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 4:56 pm

Original Posted By: "Rick Holland"

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:12 pm

Original Posted By: Bill Church
----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 7:42 am

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Bill & Rick,I extended the BHP Corvair engine mount by 1/2 Inch.The rest is standard long fuselage as per plans.Cabanes leaning back slightly.The 1/2 inch extension in the motor mount is needed for the Corvairbuild-on Oil filter to clear the firewall.I have a stainless steel sheet and Fibrefrax covering the firewall.An FAA requirement not needed in the good old days when BHP build his.The stainless and Fibrefrax add about 1/4 inch.There are other ways of achieving the same.Hans "Bill Church" To Sent by: owner-pietenpol-l cc ist-server@matron ics.com Subject RE: Pietenpol-List: Pressure testing a welding aluminum fuel 03/16/2006 04:13 tank PM Please respond to pietenpol-list@ma tronics.com Rick,Yes, I noticed that those were the main differences between the twofuselages. The other main difference would be the engine/mount. The"improved" fuselage was designed around the Ford model A, and the"supplementary" fuselage was intended for the lighter Continental andCorvair type engines (as were the supplementary drawings for theContinental and Corvair engine mounts). My understanding is that BHP foundthat the lighter engines had to be mounted further from the firewall (forW&B), and then determined that the tail had to be extended to balance thelonger nose (for handling). The trick is to find the right balance, and myassumption is that the supplementary plans must be very close to wherethings should be. I think one thing that contributes to the confusion isthat the drawings don't show a fuselage with the engine mounted. It wouldbe interesting to see the differences between the variouspowerplant/fuselage combinations side-by-side.But I have read that several builders have found the need to extend theengine mounts, so your approach of extending the fuselage rather than theengine mounts seems logical (just wondering if 6" might be a bit much).Like you said, you may end up with the first Piet with the cabanes leaningforward.Bill C.

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:22 am

Original Posted By: Gene Beenenga

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:15 pm

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Rick,I would have to measure it, all I have right now is: I clear the Stainlesssteel firewall by 1/4 inchOn the motor mount I just moved the engine mounting points 1/2 inchforward.Still using the original BHP design Corvair motor mount.I also used the urethane bushings that William Wynne suggests, this alsomoves the engine up a little.Keep on buildingHans "Rick Holland" To Sent by: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com owner-pietenpol-l cc ist-server@matron ics.com Subject Re: Pietenpol-List: Pressure testing a welding aluminum fuel 03/17/2006 12:08 tank PM Please respond to pietenpol-list@ma tronics.com Thanks Hans, just to make sure I understand do you know the measurementfrom your firewall to the center of the rear engine mount bolt on yourengine mount tray?RickOn 3/17/06, Hans Vander Voort wrote: hans.vander.voort(at)alfalaval.com> Bill & Rick, I extended the BHP Corvair engine mount by 1/2 Inch. The rest is standard long fuselage as per plans. Cabanes leaning back slightly. The 1/2 inch extension in the motor mount is needed for the Corvair build-on Oil filter to clear the firewall. I have a stainless steel sheet and Fibrefrax covering the firewall. An FAA requirement not needed in the good old days when BHP build his. The stainless and Fibrefrax add about 1/4 inch. There are other ways of achieving the same. Hans "Bill Church" To Sent by: owner-pietenpol-l cc ist-server@matron ics.com Subject RE: Pietenpol-List: Pressure testing a welding aluminum fuel 03/16/2006 04:13 tank PM Please respond to pietenpol-list@ma tronics.com Rick, Yes, I noticed that those were the main differences between the two fuselages. The other main difference would be the engine/mount. The "improved" fuselage was designed around the Ford model A, and the "supplementary" fuselage was intended for the lighter Continental and Corvair type engines (as were the supplementary drawings for the Continental and Corvair engine mounts). My understanding is that BHP found that the lighter engines had to be mounted further from the firewall (for W&B), and then determined that the tail had to be extended to balance the longer nose (for handling). The trick is to find the right balance, and my assumption is that the supplementary plans must be very close to where things should be. I think one thing that contributes to the confusion is that the drawings don't show a fuselage with the engine mounted. It would be interesting to see the differences between the various powerplant/fuselage combinations side-by-side. But I have read that several builders have found the need to extend the engine mounts, so your approach of extending the fuselage rather than the engine mounts seems logical (just wondering if 6" might be a bit much). Like you said, you may end up with the first Piet with the cabanes leaning forward. Bill C.

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Apr 28, 2017 9:31 pm

Original Posted By:> ** Rick Holland
My nephew & I are researching the possibility of using a Corvair engine on aPietenpol. Do you have available the power curve on the engines?? What propwould you recommend?? Thanks.Harry Myers, harrymyr(at)vtc.net *Reply from WW: * As you already know, theCorvair is the ideal engine for the Pietenpol. The updated LONGFUSELAGEdrawings available from the Pietenpol family are the mostideal ones tobuild from for Corvair power. The Corvair engine, built according to myConversion Manual (available for $59 in the U.S. (and $64 including S&Houtside the U.S.), by check or money order payable to William Wynne, P.O.Box 290802, Port Orange, FL 32129-0802, or by credit card via PayPalat the OnlineCatalog ) produces about 80hp at2,800rpm, 90hp at 2,950 and 100hp at 3,100rpm. I sell 2-blade Warp Drive 68"ground adjustable propellers for Pietenpols, the same prop I flew for yearson my own Pietenpol with great satisfaction. Most guys flying wood props use66" diameter with a pitch in the range of 30-34". Happy building and flyingyour family project.If you haven't already, check out his web site athttp://www.flycorvair.com/and you will want to get one of his Corvairconversion manuals if you arethinking about Corvair power.Good luck.Rick HOn 3/16/06, The Schuerrs wrote:>> So, if you were to recommend a set of plans, which one would you recommend> for a corvair engine? I don't mind buying plans that I need, I just don't> want to be redundant.>> ----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Apr 28, 2017 9:31 pm

Original Posted By: Rick Holland
My nephew & I are researching the possibility of using a Corvair engineon a Pietenpol. Do you have available the power curve on the engines?? What propwould you recommend?? Thanks. Harry Myers, harrymyr(at)vtc.net Reply from WW: As you already know, the Corvair is the ideal engine for the Pietenpol.The updated LONG FUSELAGE drawings available from the Pietenpol family are themost ideal ones to build from for Corvair power. The Corvair engine, built accordingto my Conversion Manual (available for $59 in the U.S. (and $64 includingS&H outside the U.S.), by check or money order payable to William Wynne,P.O. Box 290802, Port Orange, FL 32129-0802, or by credit card via PayPal at theOnline Catalog) produces about 80hp at 2,800rpm, 90hp at 2,950 and 100hp at3,100rpm. I sell 2-blade Warp Drive 68" ground adjustable propellers for Pietenpols,the same prop I flew for years on my own Pietenpol with great satisfaction.Most guys flying wood props use 66" diameter with a pitch in the range of30-34". Happy building and flying your family project. If you haven't already, check out his web site at http://www.flycorvair.com/ and you will want to get one of his Corvair conversion manuals if you are thinking about Corvair power. Good luck. Rick H On 3/16/06, The Schuerrs wrote: So, if you were to recommend a set of plans, which one would you recommendfor a corvair engine? I don't mind buying plans that I need, I just don't wantto be redundant. ----- Original Message -----

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