That persnickety Camloc receptacle has been changed out for a floating type and that seems to have solved the problem.
Right side screw holes drilled.
Left side screw holes drilled.
On to the baffles! This is the entire collection of components in the sub-kit.
The first bits underway.
Baffles and doublers riveted and ready for the next step.
Some of the rivets joining these two pieces can’t be squeezed and must be driven. I had to get creative in order to do that on my own, but it worked out fine.
Top cowl right side Camloc grommets and studs installed.
Camloc receptacle riveting in progress.
Camloc receptacle riveted completed.
Well, all but one came out nicely. For whatever reason, the marked (and unsecured) Camloc just wouldn’t engage with its receptacle. Either it’s defective or the its hole was slightly off target, which is much more likely. I’m going to acquire one of Skybolt’s floating receptacles and replace the standard one in that location. Hopefully, that’ll solve the problem.
I’m not thrilled with the gap between the top and bottom cowlings (on either side), though I’m optimistic that paint will fill some of that gap along the split and that a little fiberglass work will reduce the gap at the front.
Oh, well; onward!
Left side marked for drilling.
Top cowl left side Camloc grommets and studs installed.
The left side came out better, though there’s still a slight gap present, both at the front and along the length of the side.
As with the other side, paint and glass work will cover all sins.
I still need to do the nutplates behind the spinner, the interior epoxy coating, and the top cowl air ramps. The cowling is rock solid as-is, though, and completely airworthy. Overall, I’m satisfied with the effort and glad to be free of hinge hell.
