Brief Description: Stainless Steel Cooling Ramp Mod #2
I was able to get the measuring done yesterday and started making the cuts today...measuring, thinking, orienting and working thru what I wanted to shape the stainless steel into. The added complexity in trying to replicate a part is when some things are exact replicas and other things are reversed. The upward "wings" on the side of the original cooling ramp provide additional strength, but they orient upward, whereas the stainless steel wings will orient downward and provide additional fire protection to the sides of the cooling ramp as well. They will be sealed with 3M Fire Barriar 2000+ and riveted to the sides of the F-851 bottom skins.
I made the first cuts leaving extra material in the front to rivet to the two vertical firewall holes. Then I set up the rolling apparatus and rolled the front of the ramp. I used a 2" PVC pipe I picked up at Home Depot aviation suppy today. After rolling the front I added in the 1/2" flat for the rivets and folded the "wings" - making sure to fold them the correct way. After the first fold was made I re-measured the width of the ramp area so that it would fit inside. Then it was time for the second fold... It turned out nice and snug, but fits well. Tomorrow I will start drilling the holes to fit to the firewall, the floor and the F-802K crossmember. I am really happy with the way the ramp turned out.
Rolling the front of the cooling ramp
bending the first "wing" up
Inserted into position, ready for rivet holes to be drilled
