Cowl Hinged Drilled

Worked on drilling the cowl hinges.This required making sure the edges of the cowl lined up well and then holes were drilled using the marked previously made on the hinges.

Time: 1 hr.

Cowl hinges drilled

Cowl Hinged drilled.

Cowl fitting

Worked more on the cowl today. Sanded edges of lower cowl and matched the lower and upper cowl. Holes were drilled in front of cowl as per plans. The lower cowl was then put in place and holes drilled and clecoed as per plans. The side hinges were drilled. The upper cowl then fit in place.
Time: 4hrs.

Cowl Fitting

Lower Cowl placed

Side hinged drilled

Top cowl fitting

Cowling trim / hinges

It is a little harder getting out to the shop as it is cold outside. Luckily I have a heater in the shop so I can warm it up some, but it does take some time. I try to find work sessions that will last more than a few minutes to warrant warming up the shop.

I worked on the hinge halves that will go to the cowling. They were cut and marks were placed for future drilling. The eyelets on the curves were beveled.  I installed the hinge halves with hinge pins and fluted around the curve.

I think worked on trimming the cowling to the scribe line. The upper one was trimmed with dremel and then hand sanded to the line. The lower was trimmed with the dremel but will have to wait until next time to get it sanded to the scribe line. Not my favorite part of the project but doable.

Time: 2.5 hrs.

Cowling hinges

Cowling trimmed

Regulator / Cowling hinge pins

Finally got back out to the shop to work some on the 12. Replaced the banjo fitting with a fluid fitting as per plans. Torqued to 19 ft lbs. (25 NM).  I modified the grommet and then placed it. The regulator wires were then placed through it, the regulator installed, and the wires connected.

At this point I think it is a good spot to work on the cowling before I add more to the engine. I started by preparing the hinge pins as per plans. I will work on trimming the cowling at a later date.

Time: 1.25 hrs.

Fluid Fitting

Modified grommet

Rectifier regulator

Cowling hinge pins

Engine wiring / fuel lines

Lots of other projects to do today, but since it was my birthday my family "forced" me to work on my plane. Started with attaching the VA-216, gascolator, fuel return, and fuel pressure lines. I then worked on the wiring which included the ignition, oil pressure, CHT, oil temp, and starter wiring. The manifold pressure hose was placed. I also cut, bent, and installed the drain line.

Time: 4 hrs.

VA-216 fuel line installed

Gascolator hose

Fuel return line

Fuel pressure line

Ignition wiring

Oil pressure sensor harness

Right CHT wire

Left CHT

Oil Temp Wire

Manifold pressure hose

Fuel Drain line

Fuel Drain line

Hanging engine

Another big milestone day today! Started by re-configuring the clamp block assembly as per plans. Then prepared for engine hanging by attached some straps to the engine mount and the front of the engine. I used my tractor to lift the engine and position it in place. Had a few minutes of help from HVAC guys who were here looking at a problem with one of our house furnaces. They offer to help position engine so I took them up on the offer. After a few minutes the bolts were placed and torqued as per plans. Now the plane is no longer tail heavy. A good milestone accomplished!

Time: 1.5 hrs.

Clamp Block repositioned

Preparing to lift engine

Placing straps for engine lifting

Engine mounted

Engine mounted

Drip pans installed

Drilled right hole in nose gear assembly. The installed carburetor drip pans. A "dollop" of fuel tank sealant in area underneath carburetors as per plans and allowed to set for 1 1/2 hrs before reinstalling the carburetors.

Time: 1.25 hrs.

Bolts ready for engine mount

Right drip pan

Left drip pan

Dollop of fuel sealant

Carburetor installed