Setting up a gas can
Tutorials > Setting up a gas can
An airplane with a two-stroke gasoline engine requires a supply of mixed fuel and a way to move it into the plane's gas tank. A gas can and pump are easy to set up for that purpose.
Assemble the parts
Gas can (standard 5L) and tote (Canadian Tire #058-0019-2). The tote provides a pocket to store the fuel pump and catches any drips or spills.
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Fuel cap fitting (Du-Bro #807)
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Fuel cap fitting instructions
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Fuel pump (MPI #MPIACC224):
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Not shown:
- approximately 3 feet of Tygon tubing, 1/8" ID
- clunk
- fuel filter
- several zip ties
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Modify the cap and spout
Here are the parts: Cap, stopper and spout:
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The inner ring on the bottom of the stopper needs to be removed. I didn't have a small enough cutting disc so I trimmed one to size with a pair of scissors:
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With the inner ring out, the inside of the stopper needs to be smoothed:
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The tab on top of the stopper must also come off:
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I wanted the base of the spout because of the gasket, but I didn't need the whole length. I marked the cutoff line by holding a marker flat and spinning the spout:
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Here's the stub of the spout in the can:
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Install the fitting
With the centre of the stopper marked, a pin vise is a great way to make a pilot hole:
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I like Forstner bits for large holes because of the clean bore. This fitting requires a 1/2" bit:
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There's that nice clean hole:
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With the fitting inserted through the top of the stopper the o-ring goes on from the bottom, followed by the white plastic nut. A deep 11/16" socket is an excellent way to hold the nut while tightening the fitting. Use a wrench on the fitting and don't put any side load on the barb:
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Attach the fuel line with clunk and filter to the inside fitting:
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Note that I used a washer and a second o-ring on the outside so that the fitting barb would clear the edge of the cap:
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Here's the fitting on the can:
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Connect the fuel pump
One line runs from the pump to the fitting barb and the other from the pump to the filling spout:
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All together:
