Wing - Right Fuel Tank

2004-09-03 - Assembling and sealing the right fuel tank (three ribs). (3.0 Hrs).

I got three ribs done tonight.

First thing was to make sure that I covered the holes in the end rib, which I forgot to do on the first tank.

Next, I drilled out a rivet on the fuel cap flange, and riveted the vent tube support in place. It's easier to do this before you set the rivets.

One rib done. After the rivets have been set, I swirl ProSeal on the end of each rivet, per Van's instructions. Then I put a bead along the edge of both sides of the rib, and I put enough ProSeal on the front of each rib to seal it in place. This is probably overkill, but it makes me feel good, since the rib has no support in the front. This process takes about three times as long as the riveting, which is only about 15 minutes per rib.

Here, you can see the light clipped to the side of the tank so you can see into the tank bay. The light helps a lot with the touch-up work.

	First thing was to make sure that I covered the holes in the end rib, which I forgot to do on the first tank.
	Next, I drilled out a rivet on the fuel cap flange, and riveted the vent tube support in place. It's easier to do this before you set the rivets.
	One rib done. After the rivets have been set, I swirl ProSeal on the end of each rivet, per Van's instructions. Then I put a bead along the edge of both sides of the rib, and I put enough ProSeal on the front of each rib to seal it in place. This is probably overkill, but it makes me feel good, since the rib has no support in the front. This process takes about three times as long as the riveting, which is only about 15 minutes per rib.
	Here, you can see the light clipped to the side of the tank so you can see into the tank bay. The light helps a lot with the touch-up work.