Progress!
June 14, 2008 9:37 PM
Somebody's making progress! I helped another local RV-7 builder rivet his last skin in place. After finishing the windshield, he'll be moving to the airport. Way to go David! We each started our RV-7's within weeks of each other (in 2006), but he's "slightly" ahead of me now!

Yeah, we're still here
March 21, 2008 10:14 PM
Progress on the plane has been next to zero lately as we prepare to move to a new home. We should have our priorities back in order in a couple more weeks. Stay tuned!
Trailering the fuselage and other treasures to the new place:
Trailering the fuselage and other treasures to the new place:
Closing Fuel Tanks
January 27, 2008 11:16 PM
Time to finish off the fuel tanks. Compared to the slow-build RV-8 fuel tanks, these quick-build tanks are a piece of cake. All that is left to do it install the inspection plate and sending unit. I bought a quart of proseal from Van's for this purpose. Though I only need a little bit to finish the tanks, it's useful stuff for various other areas of the plane too. I tried the tubes of proseal, but they are expensive and wasteful when you just need a little bit at a time.
Below, the access cover has been prosealed on the left fuel tank. I thought I was going to use the big rubber washer to install the sending unit in the remaining hole, but I didn't have to look too hard on the internet to find at least one guy that replaced a leaky rubber washer with proseal. So, I'll use proseal from the start.
I considered using cap screws instead of the stock 8R8 screw, but I didn't have any on hand. While doing the fuel tank service bulletin on the RV-8, I realized the advantage of using the cap screws here is very slight. There is nothing wrong with using the stock screws here.

Here is the other tank with both the access cover and the sending unit installed. After the proseal cures for several days, I'll test for leaks.
Another tip: Before closing the fuel takes forever, look inside as best you can. I noticed drain holes on both tanks were nearly prosealed shut.
Below, the access cover has been prosealed on the left fuel tank. I thought I was going to use the big rubber washer to install the sending unit in the remaining hole, but I didn't have to look too hard on the internet to find at least one guy that replaced a leaky rubber washer with proseal. So, I'll use proseal from the start.
I considered using cap screws instead of the stock 8R8 screw, but I didn't have any on hand. While doing the fuel tank service bulletin on the RV-8, I realized the advantage of using the cap screws here is very slight. There is nothing wrong with using the stock screws here.

Here is the other tank with both the access cover and the sending unit installed. After the proseal cures for several days, I'll test for leaks.
Another tip: Before closing the fuel takes forever, look inside as best you can. I noticed drain holes on both tanks were nearly prosealed shut.

