There seem to be at least 2 schools of thought on the location of fuel tanks on the profile fuses, either right muffler side, or on the left side.

Seems like mounting the tanks on the muffler side would:

1) Give a bit extra protection from prop strikes and mid-airs due to the cylinder and muffler blocking the front of the tank

2) Bring the tank closer to the centerline of the engine

3) Disadvantage - Possibility of burning a hole in the tank if it dislodges and moves forward.

Mounting on the left side would make it more vunerable to prop strikes, mid-air damage, but less likely to be burnt by the muffler

Which do you prefer?

thojo, I always mount mine on the left side, for no other reason than there is less stuff over there.

Cajun

mount mine on opposite side of muffler.
Have a goodun,John.

I prefer the tank mounted behind the engine. Since the engine is already out in the open, I take advantage of the hole it's punching in the air.

I mount the tank to the fuse with 3m exterior mounting tape found at most hardware stores. I also velcro around the tank and through slots in the fuse.

I put mine in the leading edge of the wing ala Morris Hobbies birds. Never had a problem with fuel draw even when hovering. Makes for much less drag, although at the speeds a fun fly goes that is probably not a concern.

JESTER

OOPS typing mistake!

AJ,

I notice your tank is mounted sideways to the fuse. I always thought the pressure vent needed to be at the top of the tank. Are you using a bladder in the tank? Do you notice any adverse affect of the tank mounted sideways? Or do you mount it that way because most of the time your plane is in a knife edge turn, and the pressure vent is then at the top? LOL

George

Whenever I mount one sideways like that, I merely turn the vent tube up to that side.
It doesn't "have" to be in the bubble of the tank. (Some tanks don't even have the vent bubble)

George,

Eventhough the tank is turned sideways, the vent tube in the inside is pointed toward the top of the tank. If you have a tank without an internal vent tube, then the only thing you would have to do is turn the plane sideways, so you can get a full tank. The Great Planes tanks don't have an internal vent tube, but the dubro tanks come with brass tubes for the fuel and vent tubes.

AJ's tank looks like a Hayes to me, and they don't have an internal vent tube.

Once the engine is started, I can't imagine it being a problem anyway with muffler pressure, but I am not sure about starting.

George

George,

I haven't had a problem running the tank mounted on it's side. It is a Hayes tank and there's no internal vent. The only thing that has to be done different is fueling the plane. I hold the plane so it's resting on a wing tip with the vent pointed up so it will allow you to get the tank completely full.

AJ,

You don't have problems with the tank draining out the vent in to the muffler when you are starting the engine? Or do you keep the plane on the wing tip until you start it? Or do you use a clamp or something on the lines?

I've been mounting my tanks behind the engine on my Skull Bandits, and I'm using Sullivan 6oz flex tanks with the vent line "sideways" so it's towards the top when the plane is level. My tanks are held on with zip-ties, and while I've had tanks knocked off in mid-airs and crashes, the sullivan flex tanks seem to give with the impact. I've not had to replace a tank yet. The zip ties fail before the tank or anything else does.