Used the magic tape on the aft hinges ( like I did with the bottom ones), checked edge distance with a light inside and through the oil door once I started drilling.
At last all cowl hinges drilled - the weight with all those clecos must be quite something.
I then drilled out the front holes behind the spinner to #30. I plan to epoxy a backing plate and then later final drill to #8 screw once the cowl halves are rivetted and in position.
I checked all the hinge pins - no preload on bottom and only slight pressure on top ones due to curvature. The left side hinge was slightly stiff and the right quite stiff. I gather that these will ease over time. My plan is to epoxy the hinges with clecos and mount to the aircraft checking minimal preload and THEN rivet the hinges once cured to prevent distortion of the hinges ----> preloading.
Overall I am really pleased with the fit of the cowls. The front, apart from the left, is not bad - nothing some filler won't cure! I may use a cowl pin retainer that covers the ouboard halves.
Now the thought of all those countersunk holes ....... NO! NO!
