Brief Description: Firewall Forward Mockup Basic Construction
With any original or heavily modified design it is a good idea to build mockups so you can determine the best fit for the components. With my widened firewall and fuel injection system there are several issues that need to be worked out before I start cutting and drilling that expensive piece of aircraft grade plywood (not to mention that expensive Stainless Steel sheet). The plans for the mockup / engine stand came from the August 2011 issue of Sport Aviation (page 92). It is simple and only required an outlay of $50 at the local Lowes for the materials. It doubles as an engine stand and is mounted on wheels so it can be moved around easily. When you consider the engine is in the 250 lbs range it will be handy to have it mobile rather then sitting on the floor and in the way. The height is within 1" of the actual aircraft so that will provide a good benchmark for what working with the real installation will be like. The plywood that forms the firewall was given two coats of semi-gloss white interior house paint to provide some protection while the mockup work is in progress. With any luck temporary placement lines will be erasable as I try out different arrangements. The attachment holes for the engine mount have an additional piece of 1/2" plywood attached to the backside with wood glue to help distribute the load when the engine is in place.
