Tag: Finish

Firewall forward, finish, cowling continued…

Bottom cowl held in position by one Camloc on each side. My alignment marks (for vertical orientation) can be readily seen on each side. These were made prior to removing the upper cowling.

Bottom cowl held in position by one Camloc on each side. My alignment marks (for vertical orientation) can be readily seen on each side. These were made prior to removing the upper cowling.

Upper cowling replaced to double-check alignment of the sides.

Upper cowling replaced to double-check alignment of the sides.

Bottom cowl Camloc receptacles riveted in place around the firewall.

Bottom cowl Camloc receptacles riveted in place around the firewall.

Bottom cowl Camloc grommets, retainers, and studs in place.

Bottom cowl Camloc grommets, retainers, and studs in place.

Bottom cowl in place and Camlocs adjusted for depth. Alignment marks still aligned, so that was good.

Bottom cowl in place and Camlocs adjusted for depth. Alignment marks still aligned, so that was good.

Complete cowling in place with all firewall Camlocs locked down. I’m fairly pleased thus far.

Complete cowling in place with all firewall Camlocs locked down. I’m fairly pleased thus far.

I couldn’t resist setting the spinner in place for a quick photo or two. Looks good!

I couldn’t resist setting the spinner in place for a quick photo or two. Looks good!

Firewall forward, finish, cowling in process

The lower cowling in the midst of the seemingly endless process of fitting, sanding, marking, fitting, sanding, etc. As much as I’m dreading the panel installation, I can’t wait to be done with the wretched fiberglass work and onto the wiring.

I can’t believe I just wrote that, but it’s true…

The lower cowling being fit-check for the 10,000th time this afternoon. Maybe more, but you’d have to ask my wife.

This was actually the last check and it fits decently on both sides when the bottom is being properly held up against the Camloc flanges…

Firewall forward, finish, cowling underway

Initial fitting of bottom cowl. The aft edge will need between ⅛” and 3/16″ taken off at various points. I’ll start with 1/16″ and go from there. Getting the sides trimmed to match the upper cowl will follow.

Initial fitting of bottom cowl. The aft edge will need between ⅛” and 3/16″ taken off at various points. I’ll start with 1/16″ and go from there. Getting the sides trimmed to match the upper cowl will follow.

Firewall forward, finish, cowling progress

Red (Sharpie) circles on the inside of the top cowl were traced through the large, central holes in the Camloc flanges. One can readily see that few of the pilot holes were successfully drilled dead-center in those tracings.

Fortunately, it’s of no matter whatsoever since those pilot holes can be easily walked with the Unibit until they’re centralized within the red circles. Easy-peasy.

Nicely finished ½” holes ready for Camloc grommets. The Skybolt instructions call for 15/32″ holes except in areas where the grommets won’t fit, in which case one should upsize to ½”. For whatever reason, despite my cowling not appearing to be overly thick to my eyes, the grommets wouldn’t seat properly in 15/32″ holes, so up to ½” I went.

Camloc grommets installed and retained by the standard Skybolt retainers. They also include some O-rings to use as temporary retainers for guys who want to remove them prior to paint. I had them painted on my last RV and prefer that look to that of the bare stainless steel, so I went with the permanent retainers from the get-go.

Camloc studs installed in the grommets and ready for the first fitting to the receptacles now riveted to the flanges.

Fingers were definitely crossed here (and wood touched, too!) as I was holding my breath to see whether all of the studs properly engaged with their receptacles.

Success!! Every stud matched up with its receptacle and engaged properly. From that point, it’s just a matter of screwing them down until the stud is flush (or very slightly below) with its grommet. Then the locking pins come out, the receptacles are locked into place at the 1/7 orientation, and fit is reconfirmed.

All turned out perfectly. Despite being raring to go with the lower cowling, I need to order some Cherry rivets for the bottom flanges. So, tomorrow I’ll finish off the empennage fairing (some floxing to do in the corners and nutplates to rivet in place) and perhaps get started on the baffles.

Success!! Every stud matched up with its receptacle and engaged properly. From that point, it’s just a matter of screwing them down until the stud is flush (or very slightly below) with its grommet. Then the locking pins come out, the receptacles are locked into place at the 1/7 orientation, and fit is reconfirmed.

All turned out perfectly. Despite being raring to go with the lower cowling, I need to order some Cherry rivets for the bottom flanges. So, tomorrow I’ll finish off the empennage fairing (some floxing to do in the corners and nutplates to rivet in place) and perhaps get started on the baffles.