George, you are right. I will probably keep my header tank, but there is a change I would like to
see, and have suggested it, but neither I nor anyone else has followed thru. The recurring AD on the fuel pump - remove top, check for water, etc., could be eliminated by installing a gascolator between the tank and the fuel pump. The gascolator, catching any water and goo, that we now check for as per the AD. My concern is that I have witnessed several coupes having a "fuel pump failure" due to sloppy maintenence accomplished on this AD....simply not tightening the cap bolt sufficiently..... This allows air to be sucked into the pump instead of fuel. So, the owner picks up his freshly annualed coupe, and flys home, only to have the header tank float guage begin to drop....quickly finding a fuel stop, etc. Often this leads to a "Oh, you need a new fuel pump" project, when, in two cases I have experienced- the only problem was inproper torque on the fuel pump cap bolt..... Now, I know, this is a case of sloppy maintenance, and should never happen,,,,, but I do come from a time that said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it " ....I do support checking as per the AD, but an installation of a gascolator might solve the re-curring AD, and also solve the "fixed it, but now its broke " , problem. In these cases, I think the owners were happy to have a header tank full of fuel... Yes, a back up electric pump would be nice to have, if the battery/electrical system didn't fail. And, Yes, pumps will fail, both mechanical and ellectrical; as will electrical systems. Regards, Harry Francis 93530 Blacksburg, VA.
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