Started the finish-up of the O2 installation, I needed to mount the distribution manifold. The logical place for it was in the overhead console. After making the Alum replacement for the Fiberglass close-out panel, determined that there would be enough clearance so I found the best place to position it so that the gague and the control would be accessable from the front seats and the 'tube's aft of the pilot and co-pilot. So I marked the location and then proceeded to try and measure the manifold for the 6 holes that I'd need to make for the manifold pieces to project through the close-out. I used a hole punch to make the holes for the control knob and the gauge, and a step drill for the others. I messed up and cut a 1 1/2" hole for the gauge, but it turns out that the gague is removable from the manifold (the control is NOT) and I could have gotten by with a 7/16" hole. So I made a backing piece w a 7/16" hole in it and attached it with #6 nutplates to the close-out. Turns out that this will actually help to provide an air seal. (The manifold needs to be mounted air tight as the overhead console is pressurized for the air vents.). Final drilled the mounting holes to #27 and then debirred and dimpled them, Hand countersunk the overhead to receive the dimples and then temporarily attached everything. I'll cover the close-out manifold assembly with some leather that I got that matches the darker clolor in the seat and the instrument panel's.
" finished' vies of the Oxygen distrubutin manifold mounted in the overhead close-out
Here's the underside on the manifold
Here's how it looks mounted (uncovered) in the console
