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From: William R. Bayne [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 5:28 PM
To: Ed Burkhead
Subject: Fwd: WRB Re: [COUPERS-FLYIN] Re: Digest list: Ercoupe Hangar Flying
Begin forwarded message:
From: William R. Bayne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: September 18, 2005 5:22:15 PM CDT
To: Ed Burkhead <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: WRB Re: [COUPERS-FLYIN] Re: Digest list: Ercoupe Hangar Flying
Hi Lee,
I'm not sure what you have in mind, but I would offer these words of caution.
The Ercoupe gascolator mounted next to the carburetor is at the end of a long and continuous slope from the header tank. Located in this position there have been few, if any "field" problems with vapor lock. Vapor lock is very serious in a gravity-fed fuel delivery system. There is no "boost pump" to turn on!
When later manufacturers fitted a firewall-mounted gascolator, it was installed below both the carburetor and the oil tank. Field reports of vapor lock (interpret this as probable in-flight engine failure!) necessitated oil tank baffle, fuel line length, routing and fitting modifications as set forth in Alon Service Bulletin No. 12 (for airframes through A-204). These modifications cannot be considered entirely successful, as field problems continued.
In late 1969 or early 1970, Mooney issued MANDATORY Alon Service Bulletin A-10 (M10-1) because "Certain combinations of atmospheric conditions, aircraft attitudes, FUEL LEVELS (emphasis added-WRB) and/or NORMAL FLIGHT MANEUVERS (emphasis added-WRB), may result in a condition where FUEL STARVATION CAN OCCUR (emphasis added-WRB).
My point is that modifying the original fuel system design of the Ercoupe by installing a firewall mounted gascolator is a decision of potentially serious consequence with little, if any, benefit. I wouldn't do it.
Regards,
William R. Bayne
<____|-(o)-|____>
(Copyright 2004)
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On Sep 18, 2005, at 1:50 PM, lee d browning wrote:
Does anyone have a spare Gasolator that mounts to the firewall.
I am told they came on the Alons and perhaps Mooneys.
thanks,
Lee Browning
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