Engine, Cowling and Oil Door

Today I worked on the engine mount.  I removed the PC washers I ordered from Van’s and replaced them with some 2” fender washers I purchased at Fastenal.  These fender washers are 1/16^th inch thick.  After inserting the washers and torqueing the bolts I reinstalled the cowling.  As I checked the clearance of the prop spinner back plate I found the clearance to be just right.  It appears the replacement of the washers was a success.  

Next I turned my attention to the oil door on the upper cowling.  I cut out the space in the cowling door recess.  I drilled the holes for the camlocks and riveted them to the door recess.  I also riveted the hinge to the oil door.

Following the instructions I attached the lugs to the oil door and attached the door to the cowling with the camlocks.  I drilled the holes for the lugs and inserted clecos.  I then attempted to open the oil door.  The hinge hung up on the edge of the opening.  Using my Dremel tool I expanded the opening and the hinge works just right.  I riveted the lugs to the cowling and installed the top on the fuselage.

Shim Engine Mount

Last Friday after attaching the cowling I checked to see how the base plate for the propeller spinner fits.  As I held it up to the propeller hub I found it just barely rubbed on the right side of the front of the cowling.  This is not good.  I decided I would have to drill out the fuselage attachment hinges on the upper cowling and the fuselage side attachment hinges on the left side of the lower cowling.  After removing the hinges I will need to sand down the edges of the upper and lower cowlings to move the left side of the entire cowling (upper and lower) back about 1/8”.  After thinking about it for a while I decided to try something else to increase the space between the spinner back plate and the front of the cowling on the right side.  I ordered some WD-1221C washers from Van’s.  They are about 1/8” thick.  I removed the cowling and removed the engine mounting bolts on the left side of the engine.  I slipped a washer between the female isolator and the engine mount.  Arlene helped by holding a ratchet on the inside of the firewall.  I reinstalled the engine mounting bolts.  I attached the cowling.  I checked the space between the cowling and the spinner base plate.  It is now too much.  I told Arlene I want to find some 1/16^th thick fender washers and replace the washers from Van’s with the thinner washers and see if that solves the problem.  

Mom and Aunt Joyce were with us at the hangar.  They were impressed with the whole airplane and hangar thing.

Oil Door

I primed the oil door and associated parts.  I also drilled holes in the upper cowling so I can remove the section where the opening for the door is located.  I hope to cut out the section and install the door next week.

Cowling Oil Door

Today I started  to work on the oil door on the upper cowling.  I removed the top cowling to my work table.  I found the camlocks and put them in a bag.  I also cutout and deburred the oil door.  I separated the hinge parts and deburred the edges of each piece.  Using the microstop I countersunk the oil door in preparation for riveting the hinge to the door.   I will buff them with a Scotch Brite pad and they will be ready to prime.

Short Day at The Hangar

This afternoon I only had a short time to be at the hangar.  I brought out a leaf blower and blew the dust and cottonwood fiber and weed stuff out of the hangar.  It was suggested I use a leaf blower by my neighbor next door.  It seemed to work pretty well.  After that I organized a few things and installed the screws on the front of the cowling.  I also realized I didn’t bend the ‘knuckles’ (the left and right hinge pins) quite right.  If I had shortened the pins and bent them right at the hold down tab the cut outs in the upper cowling would be much smaller (shorter).  Oh well, live and learn.  Maybe I could buy a new top cowling and do it over.  No way!  I also held the spinner up to the propeller mounting plate.  The cowling seems to be off center by about 1/8”.  I’ll see if I can find a solution to that problem next.