Hi again from the UK where the repair of our ground looped Starduster limps along. The 'repair' has turned into a comprehensive reappraisal of the whole aircraft and we are finding some strange stuff in the electrics where no records of the system exist, either in the original 1970's US build or what's been done in the UK since import in the early 2000's. That's on the back burner.
However, next on our list is the fuel system. The aircraft has only the basic fuselage tank fitted, no cabane tank. There are two electric pumps (in series) fitted, only one of which can be run at a time. Both fuel pumps are below the tank outlet.
The fuel tank outlet is about 6" higher than the Marvel Schebler MA-4-5 carb inlet. It's an 0-360 Lycoming but has the carb mounted on a right angled inlet duct that brings the carb behind the engine (nearer to the firewall). we think the engine was originally from a Hughes helicopter. There's no engine driven fuel pump, and no provision on the rear engine casing to fit one.
We're now about to do the fuel flow tests that we need for our LAA re-permit. So, the question ?
In anyone's experience, will the engine run OK without the electric fuel pump and a decent amount of fuel in the fuselage tank ?
Barry G
However, next on our list is the fuel system. The aircraft has only the basic fuselage tank fitted, no cabane tank. There are two electric pumps (in series) fitted, only one of which can be run at a time. Both fuel pumps are below the tank outlet.
The fuel tank outlet is about 6" higher than the Marvel Schebler MA-4-5 carb inlet. It's an 0-360 Lycoming but has the carb mounted on a right angled inlet duct that brings the carb behind the engine (nearer to the firewall). we think the engine was originally from a Hughes helicopter. There's no engine driven fuel pump, and no provision on the rear engine casing to fit one.
We're now about to do the fuel flow tests that we need for our LAA re-permit. So, the question ?
In anyone's experience, will the engine run OK without the electric fuel pump and a decent amount of fuel in the fuselage tank ?
Barry G
