I then started to remove the gascolator
bowl. I had to loosen a machine screw
the firewall. After removing 3-of the
4-screws holding the gascolator bowl in place I determined it was not
necessary. I replaced the screws and
installed safety wire. I then drilled
out the rivet in the firewall below the gascolator. I clecoed the end of the stiffener angle to
the firewall below the gascolator. I moved
it into place diagonally on the firewall.
I drilled the upper most hole into the firewall.
I then drilled and clecoed the stiffener to the firewall, starting
at the center of the stiffener. I
installed a cleco in every other hole to
hold the stiffener in place. After drilling all of the
holes I removed the stiffener and deburred the firewall. I then clecoed the stiffener back in place on
the firewall and installed the rivets. I
then began to consider the installation of the side skin stiffeners on the left
and right side of the fuselage. After
removing the sidewall upholstery and considering the potential benefits I
decided not to install these stiffeners at this point in the build. I can always install them at a later date if
I determine they would be of benefit
I
then started to work on the cowling hinges and hinge pins. I cut both sets of side hinges . I then cut the left and right side hinge pins. I prepared all of the required hinge pins by
bending the ends and cutting them to length.
I also ground the ends of the pins and curved them to follow the profile
of the respective hinges.
Next I turned my attention to the engine
cowling. I marked the upper cowling for
the holes to be drilled on each side of the propeller opening. I clamped the sections together and drilled
the inner most holes on each side of the opening. I clecoed the sections together. I also clamped the rear edges together and
checked the fit.
After installing the 4” hinges on each side
of the fuselage engine shelf I clamped the lower cowling in place.
The lower cowl seems to fit pretty well. I am a little concerned about the way it fits
at the lower curve of the fuselage. I am
going to experiment with lowering it 1/16th of an inch on each side
to see if it follows the curve a little better.
If it does I will sand the 1/16th of an inch from the bottom
of the tab on the lower cowling. I am
planning to use some Gorilla tape to hole it in place. I can then lay the upper cowling in place and
see if it fits. If all goes well I will
begin fitting and drilling the hinges.
I clamped one of the side hinges to the lower
cowling. I then laid the upper cowling
in place to see how it looks. It looks
pretty good to me.
