I installed the engine today. Yesterday I attached the engine mount using common 1/4 inch bolts. The engine mount is drilled 3/8 inch so I used bushings obtained from McCaster-Carr. I think the bushings make it easier to fit the mount to the airframe. I removed the engine mount and attached it to the engine as directed in the Viking Installation Manual. I then lifted the engine into place with an engine hoist borrowed from the local EAA Chapter 42. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do this job by myself but everything went pretty smoothly.
I spent the rest of the day figuring out the location of firewall penetrations. I have those marked now. I need to figure out how much to trim off the firewall to match the top boot cowl. I think I’ll look at another Highlander and get some guidance on that process. I also need to order more hardware for the oil cooler, cabin heater plumbing and engine mount bolts.
