As mentioned in the last post, I’m preparing everything for the engine transfer to the helicopter. Luckily for me, I was chatting with my buddy Tom in PA and he asked if I remembered to cut the holes for the forward spark plug wire penetrations in the bottom of the shroud before I installed the engine. It’s possible to do it after, but a lot more difficult, so this was a great head’s up! Thanks Tom! Safari supplied two wire penetration fittings that will hold the wires in place while separating them from both the sharp edges of the shroud as well as each other. They clip together, then will be through bolted to the shroud base.
I’ve leveled the helicopter on the sloped shop floor using the engine mounts as the control points. The modification cuts I made to the hoist worked perfectly for the O-360 engine. Now I just need my other friend Tommy to come over and help be guide this beast into the frame with help from Dawn as well (from Livermore, not “Tom” from Pennsylvania…I know, confusing right?!). The more eyes on this scary task, the better!
