Fuel Tank Question
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
- 170C
- Posts: 3182
- Joined: Tue May 06, 2003 11:59 am
Fuel Tank Question
I continue to have a bit of a fuel leak at both filler necks. With new fuel caps I don't think the caps are the problem. I am curious about how the filler neck (p# 0523529 [-1 for early 172's]) is secured to the fuel tank adapter (p# 0311240). Drawings in both the C-170B & C-172 Illustrated parts catalogue would indicate that it is screwed into the adapter (moat). If so how is it secured to prevent its unscrewing when fuel caps are opened/closed? Its been too long since I replaced the gasket under the adapter for me to recall how it is secured.
OLE POKEY
170C
Director:
2012-2018
170C
Director:
2012-2018
- jlwild
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
Frank, hope these pictures help and also apply to your 170C.
This photo shows how to drop the filler neck down into the tank to remove and replace the inner gasket
This shows the two new gaskets ready to install. One inside the tank and the second outside the tank, but beneath upper tank flange (unpainted on red rag). Slide the inner gasket down the wire holding the filler neck. Pull the filler neck and gasket up carefully. Align all the parts and gaskets. Place the outer gasket around the filler neck. Place the tank flange over the gasket (again making sure the parts are aligned). Then install the screws holding everything together with the tank.
If you need more pictures, send me your email via PM
This photo shows how to drop the filler neck down into the tank to remove and replace the inner gasket
This shows the two new gaskets ready to install. One inside the tank and the second outside the tank, but beneath upper tank flange (unpainted on red rag). Slide the inner gasket down the wire holding the filler neck. Pull the filler neck and gasket up carefully. Align all the parts and gaskets. Place the outer gasket around the filler neck. Place the tank flange over the gasket (again making sure the parts are aligned). Then install the screws holding everything together with the tank.
If you need more pictures, send me your email via PM
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Last edited by jlwild on Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Jim Wildharber, Kennesaw, GA
Past President TIC170A (2010-12) and Georgia Area Representative
'55 170B, N3415D, SN:26958, O-300D; People's Choice '06 Kelowna, B.C., Best Modified '07 Galveston, TX, Best Modified '08 Branson, MO.
Past President TIC170A (2010-12) and Georgia Area Representative
'55 170B, N3415D, SN:26958, O-300D; People's Choice '06 Kelowna, B.C., Best Modified '07 Galveston, TX, Best Modified '08 Branson, MO.
- Brad Brady
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
Wow Jim.....nice pictorial.....I'm sure a lot of people will get a lot of mileage out of what you sent....thanks!!!
- 170C
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
Thanks Jim! Good, clear photo's. I didn't know these gaskets could be changed without pulling the fuel tank cover/panel. This method would save a lot of labor/time. At this point I am not sure if these two gaskets are what need to be changed or not. I changed one many yrs ago & had to remove the wing panel. Sure had fun getting some of the old screws out.
OLE POKEY
170C
Director:
2012-2018
170C
Director:
2012-2018
- c170b53
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
In my case Frank the filler neck threads are staked (punch) into the adapter in two places. I wish whomever had did that in the past was a thorough as they were. I've wanted to change mine but the thought of beating the heck out the filler neck and then trying to clean up the threads through the fuel tank hole has made me wait until it's a requirement, not just to make it look pretty.
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
- GAHorn
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
Perhaps you meant you wished they were NOT as thorough, Jim?
Every filler neck I've seen was "staked". Jim's is the only good way to re-align the caps unless one is willing to risk stripping the threads by unscrewing the neck despite the staking job. In any case, Pro-Seal is good insurance against leaking at the threads, and Permatex No. 2 is what I always use on fuel tank gaskets to insure against leaks. (In full disclosure, I've never done a 170 tank.... but I've done other models that were similar.)
Every filler neck I've seen was "staked". Jim's is the only good way to re-align the caps unless one is willing to risk stripping the threads by unscrewing the neck despite the staking job. In any case, Pro-Seal is good insurance against leaking at the threads, and Permatex No. 2 is what I always use on fuel tank gaskets to insure against leaks. (In full disclosure, I've never done a 170 tank.... but I've done other models that were similar.)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

- c170b53
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
That's what I wanted to write Thks.
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
- blueldr
- Posts: 4442
- Joined: Thu May 02, 2002 3:16 am
Re: Fuel Tank Question
And,for gosh sake, be sure you get the filler neck oriented so that the cap is in the right place when it is locked down. It is really discouraging to get the job all finished and then find that the ears on the cap are 45 degrees to the slipstream when closed down.
BL
- Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
You must remove the fuel tank cover to dot this. The green you see in Jim's photos is the top of the fuel tank not the tank cover.170C wrote:Thanks Jim! Good, clear photo's. I didn't know these gaskets could be changed without pulling the fuel tank cover/panel.
- 170C
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
Thanks to all on this subject. Yea, ole Frank thought he had seen a short cut to replacing the gaskets, but Jim called yesterday and said that that would be too easy and I needed a challenge so I would have to remove the wing panel
Having done it once, I suppose I can do it again
Jim did point out that the parts catalogue and illustration shows only two (2) cork gaskets (that's what both my C-170B & my C-172 parts catalogue show), but there is a third one needed. Sounds like a project for some day or two when flying isn't on the agenda. I believe Jim said his filler neck was welded into the adapter, but I may have not remembered correctly. Once one has gone to the effort to remove the cover panel one might as well check out the tank, as Jim did, to see what else may be amiss after 52 yrs. One thing about old airplanes, you never have to worry about having something to do to them. There is either something broken, worn out or something we would like to change or modify. Guess that keeps us from getting bored 



OLE POKEY
170C
Director:
2012-2018
170C
Director:
2012-2018
- GAHorn
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
Airplanes are like women: They always fill the time allocated to them. (And sometimes they requisition additional.)170C wrote:... There is either something broken, worn out or something we would like to change or modify. Guess that keeps us from getting bored

'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

- Brad Brady
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- Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:54 am
Re: Fuel Tank Question
George......if I'm not mistaking........didn't you post a list of discrepancies between aircraft and women?.....leading us to think there were no similarities?gahorn wrote:Airplanes are like women: They always fill the time allocated to them. (And sometimes they requisition additional.)170C wrote:... There is either something broken, worn out or something we would like to change or modify. Guess that keeps us from getting bored

- GAHorn
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Re: Fuel Tank Question
I believe you might be referring to a posting in which airplanes were considered to have some attributes preferable to women. I did not originate that, but I'm familiar with it. (They can change their minds also. And do.) 

'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.

- Kyle Wolfe
- Posts: 706
- Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2003 12:30 am
Re: Fuel Tank Question
Frank, I just did the gaskets on my 170 and that stopped the leaking. As the guys have stated, there are 3 gaskets and not 2 as shown in the parts manual. Not a tough job, just time consuming as it had been a while since my tank covers were pulled. Replaced all the screws with stainless.
Wish I had Jim's pictures before hand, though.
Good luck.
Wish I had Jim's pictures before hand, though.
Good luck.
Kyle
54 B N1932C
57 BMW Isetta
Best original 170B - Dearborn, MI 2005
54 B N1932C
57 BMW Isetta
Best original 170B - Dearborn, MI 2005
- blueldr
- Posts: 4442
- Joined: Thu May 02, 2002 3:16 am
Re: Fuel Tank Question
Goods gosh,Kyle. Do you realize that you've just given the "Purists" an opening to fill up about six pages on this forum. Stainless steel screws in the fuel tank cover are not according to the parts specs!
BL
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