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Updating Skybolt Fuel Tank

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arensmeyerm1

Mike A
Joined
Mar 22, 2015
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First post from new Skybolt owner! Purchased 23JG in Mar, been flying since Jul after long inactive period for this aircraft. Has original 1970's non baffled tank with a single vent mounted per plans down through right gear wheel pant. Tank feeds an IO-540-J4A5. Fuel cap is thermos style but also vented. Fuel level measurement is per plans via sight tube impossible to read from rear seat. Have flown very limited inverted mainly to confirm inverted oil system function, and engine runs well. My question is have any of you upgraded an old tank to include an inverted fuel vent and a real fuel level measurement system, and if so, any recommendations? Specifically:
Did you have any issues balancing vents to avoid siphoning or fuel loss?
For typical aerobatic routines with limited extended inverted flight, are folks getting by without an inverted vent, without doing any tank damage?
Did you go with a capacitance type fuel gauge mounted forward to avoid a forward mounted flop tube?
As you might guess, I'm trying to avoid removing the tank from the aircraft, as time and money harder to justify since aircraft is flying well as is.
Appreciate any and all feedback. Excited to be part of the Skybolt community!

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