Before I start prepping the fuselage for paint I want to get a few jobs where I’m climbing in and out of the rear seat done and dusted. Sorting out the fuel venting is one of these.

I revisited the fuel manifold which was set up for plastic line inserts. I removed these and bought some pipe fitting inserts to replace them. After the old inserts were out I added a 3 ply layup over the holes ready to be re-cut.

The new fittings are now in place. I had gone from copying the method from another website using the plastic to going full 5000 series -6 (3/8″) solid fuel lines. I’m not even sure how my thinking changed except to say that solid lines are the logical choice as I am extending the fuel system through the cockpit area.

I spent a couple of days getting here. Refining my techniques, learning about flaring tubes properly and making the nice curves.

I love this flaring tool. With practice it gives a great result.

Only a builder might be interested in my clean flare.

Many many more hours and several tries before I got some of the longer lines sitting in place.

Some crazy shapes and bending skills were needed here. Not perfect for sure, but better than a few days ago.

See what happened here? The curved lines are gone. A ‘proper’ aircraft craftsman had a look and thought I could be neater and better. I remade all those top pieces. A lot of attention also went into how the pipes will eventually lay together. We discussed various methods so that they would not rub and chafe with the airframe vibrations.

Here’s a long look. I’ll revisit this when I have all the firewall penetrations sorted out. That’s when the adel clamps and ties will ‘nail’ it all down.

We have two vents per main tank, one vent for the common sump and two outlets under the plane from that common manifold.

The vents exit under the plane. These are removable for now he finishing is done and the final fasteners, then I will shorten the tubes to about an inch, cut them at an angle and flox them in place at the bottom.

The vents are done for now. Fastening them is a job for after the firewall penetrations are sorted out. I’ also want the hellhole items settled. Where things are now I can move the vent lines a little to accommodate what might fit in these tight places.