Gas tank: single port vs dual port vs header

[boxchevyman]

Hey all,

Curious what everyone is doing for gas tanks ports/routing. I have seen some folks run dual ports and then go to a header, and i have seen some folks just use a minimax tank that appears to have a single port.

Is there any real concern with unporting a tank while flying?

I would prefer to simply just run a single port gas tank with a line down to a valve, but not sure if that is really unwise.

Thanks for any help,
James

[Brock]

I've seen some aircraft (RV's come to mind) that use dividers and flap valves to reduce sloshing and to keep available fuel near the single port.  Seems like a great idea.  You can see the concept on this kitplanes article at picture #23.

https://www.kitplanes.com/building-a-composite-fuel-tank/

[Tom H]

On LEU Treehugger, we have a tank with one fuel discharge and a sample valve, located at the extreme rear/bottom.  There is a slight sump in the tank at that location, too.  The discharge has a finger strainer inside the tank.  Not clear in the pic, there is a ball valve in the tubing under the tank.  We use 3/8" alum. tubing to the engine, running as much "down hill" as possible.  There is a clear in-line fuel filter near the engine end of the tube.  We have had no issues related to un-porting the discharge line (note- be sure that you have a clear vent at top of tank or in filler cap).  I believe that if there were to be any un-porting that it would be of a very short duration, and the fuel that was in the tubing and filter would keep the engine running during that un-porting time.  See pic.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I put one in the front and rear..but.. I agree with what Tom says. It's probably over kill, and wouldn't *need* a header, IMHO.

[boxchevyman]

Thanks all! Really appreciate the input!