Well, after a couple of months, Jeff and I were able to continue the work on the Right Fuel Tank. During this session, we installed the seven T-1012 Tank Attach Zees and the T-00002 Tank Baffle. As the instructions described, we applied a bead of Proseal on the Fuel Tank Skin from the Tank Baffle rivet holes forward. By doing this, the Tank Baffle will act as a “squeegee” and push the Proseal forward when installed. Additionally, Proseal was applied to the aft flanges of the seven Tank Ribs.
Next, we installed clecos in EVERY hole that will be receiving a rivet. Once the clecos were installed, we started riveting the Tank Baffle to Tank Ribs (starting from the center Tank Attach Zee, then working outward in both directions) and finished with the Tank Baffle to Tank Skin rivets (also starting in the center and working outward in both directions). As with the Left Fuel Tank, the Right Fuel Tank will be receiving a combination of AN470AD4-4 and AN470AD4-5 solid rivets and AD-41H and AD-42H blind rivets in the locations indicated in the plans excerpt below.
Here is a aft section of the Right Fuel Tank after all the rivets have been installed. In this view, you can see the seven Tank Attach Zees and their corresponding rivets. For this installation, the closed end of the AD-41H and AD-42H blind rivets were “twirled” in Proseal prior to installation. Additionally, you can see some of the black Proseal where the Tank Baffle and Tank Skin meet.
Here is a closer picture showing the solid AN470AD4-5 and 4-5 rivets installed on the Inboard Tank Attach Zee. You can also see the area where the Tank Baffle and Tank Skin meet.
This is the Outboard Tank Attach Zee and corresponding area.
Kind of a cool shot down the length of the Tank Baffle showing all seven Tank Attach Zees.
I’m not completely finished with the Tank Baffle and Tank Attach Zees just yet. I will need to clean up several areas and apply additional Proseal to the areas where the rivets were installed and the seams around the parts. I’m sure my personal “requirements” for Proseal application will be a bit overboard, but I DO NOT WANT THE TANK TO LEAK!!