From: "Dunlap, Lloyd A" <Lloyd.A.Dunlap@jci.com>
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Message-Id: <8525669A.003AA69B.00@Corpnotes.JCI.Com>
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 07:22:02 -0400
Subject: 320/360 fuel system
Mime-Version: 1.0

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The standard fuel system "designed"  for the 320 is asking for trouble. Why
create a system which needs to be "managed" when it can be simple and safe
to make one which doesn't need a human to work!!! There is one production
example of such a system out there which has worked fine for over 50 years
! When Fred Weick designed the Ercoupe He created just that.
     The wing tanks are connected by a crossfeed tube of 5/16 or 3/8. In
this crossfeed (which keeps the wings balanced) there are two Tee's. From
one tee(I used the right one) you pick up the fuel using two facet pumps in
series for redundancy, and use this to keep the header tank full through
about a .090 restrictor. Then the header tank overflow goes back to the
right tee in the crossfeed. You feed the engine from the header tank in a
"normal" fashion. Shazaam ! no fuel management for 6 plus hours or so. (
till the next pee break anyway!) In the event of a total electrical failure
you have a full header tank with an engine supplied by uncle gravity who
never lies! Surely you can find someplace to land within 11.8 gallons of
range. As for you guys with no header tank.... well, I guess for you its
about 11.8 seconds of range. Good luck !
     This system works fine in my 360. The facet pumps have no problem self
priming even when pulling fuel up about 18"( they are mounted on the bottom
of the header tank)    If anyone would like a drawing I'd be happy to fax
one

Lloyd