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Dans RV8
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Date:  10-16-2016
Number of Hours:  4.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Sealing the Center Baffle / Safety Clearance

I was having a problem with the front center baffling around the flywheel. The Van's instructions require at least 1/2" clearance between the baffle and the flywheel. Makes sense. Baffles can vibrate and don't use a lot of fasteners to attach to the engine. Having the starter ring eat the baffling would ruin anyone's day.

I also saw that the IO360 baffling simply doesn't seal behind the flywheel. Pressure air can escape behind the flywheel to the lower chamber. I was working on a new part to seal this gap. However, that would place even more metal dangerously close to the flywheel.

I found a couple good references this morning.

Matt Dralle shows how he equipped his IO390: http://www.matronics.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=63644&sid=e9d3dc1637b31ae7449ba70185425daa

Interestingly, he set back the entire center baffle back behind the prop governor - about 5" aft of where I had it. (Figure 1) This area is much easier to seal. Also, I notice that my prop control looks a lot llike the one Matt derived - mine is modified for the reversed prop control. Hmmm.. Why didn't I see this earlier?

Looking further, I found this great description on Van's site: http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/revisions/RV-14/RV-14_47.pdf

Van's used a very similar design as shown in Figure 3. Van's has really improved designs over the 15 years since the RV8 was designed. The Cowl Baffle Kit is very refined. While I had to spend hours trimming and fitting the baffles for the RV8, the RV14 has them pre-cut. They have even pre-punched the holes for the baffle seals. Most people take around 20-30 hours on baffling (One blog claimed 140 hours), with this kit, I could probalby do the entire job in a day.

I cut up the old center baffles and moved them back about 2" That gives me a good idea of what I have to work with. Everyting fits, but it is tight. I think I will try one more prototype with the left center aft of the prop governor. Sleep on it..

I have aluminum coming next week. I should have my templ
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Matt's IO390 Front Baffle

Matt's IO390 Front Baffle

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Matt's Design

Matt's Design

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RV14 Similar Design

RV14 Similar Design

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