Reinforcing the fuel pump platform - 7 hours

 Immediately it becomes apparent that the F-782C tunnel cover is not going to support the fuel pump adequately.

So I will need to reinforce the mounting to allow a more sturdy installation. Since the fuel lines are all hard lines, any excessive movement is sure to invite leaks. I began to think about how I was going to do this, lots of builders have tried various methods. I settled on keeping it easy. My plan is to support the platform with 0.063" baseplate and use 3/4"x3/4x0.063"angle. Here is a mock up to help me sort out the fit and dimensions.

 I started out by cutting the 0.063" plate to the correct size. Then I used a file and slowly worked a radius edge on the plate.

  Next, I rounded the angles with a router and a 1/8" radius bit. This makes for a really great fit with the tunnel cover.

With that done. The pieces are now ready to be fitted and drilled to the center tunnel cover. 

Preliminary installaiton of control sticks and mock-up - 3 hours

 Not feeling that I want to get too in-depth on the build today, I decided to mock-up/fit the front panel area. I've fit the pieces before and things seem very tight with the F-7105 sub-panels. Everything else is spot on so I think it will be just a matter of tightening up the radius of the mounting flanges. Easy enough to do, just a matter of working at it.  As well I like pulling the project out on the driveway when the weather is good like it has been, and it looks great with the front panel on. 

I'm at a point where I can install the control stick assembly. This part can be a little tricky from other build logs and sure enough getting the WD-610 control column slipped into position isn't the easiest, however it wasn't horrible.  What is horrible is getting the AN960-10 washers fitted on the control column mounts. That is horrible and not easy to do. Using a combination of a small film of grease to get the stack of washers to stick together and some safety wire bent to hold the washers...I could get them slipped into position. 

 

For now I just temporary installed the left and right control sticks and the F-665 pushrod for looks, but I will need to remove those and finish those items properly at a later date (Prime the pushrod, drill the safety bolt in the right stick, torque everything).

Modifying the center tunnel for the fuel pump - 6 hours

Time to get to work on opening up the center tunnel for the fuel line that exits the fuel pump. I started out by drawing all sorts of reference lines.

 

Now that I have the hole for the fuel line decided, I also have the line where I want to split the center tunnel into two. This will allow the fuel pump to remain in place if I ever need to get into the forward portion of the center tunnel. I need to drill the mounting screw holes accordingly.

The first cut dividing the tunnel cover in two is made.

I am now able to cut the opening for the fuel line.

 

Completed the right fuel vent line - 4 hours

 Well a decent day of building hours wise. but not a whole lot of forward progress to show for it. I managed to complete the right fuel vent line. Took me a couple tries for the right side still. Having all of the sample bends and the left fuel vent line done is a great template for getting the right side done. 

Here is the left side for comparison.

Completed the left fuel vent line - 3 hours

Well it took some work but I managed to complete the left fuel vent line. I was able to use all of the templates that I made previously as a guide. 

Even more fuel vent work - 6 hours

 Following the same method as before. I want to use smaller lengths of tubing to find the recipe and provide a template for the rest of the bends. It took some time to get it all worked out, but I'm pleased with the results. I will now be able to use these to make the permanent fuel vent.

More fuel vent work - 1 hour

 Just a small day today on the fuel lines. I used a long section of tubing and started the bends on my actual fuel vent line. Managed to get all of the initial bends right and was able to attached the vent line to the bulkhead with the adel clamps.