My good friend and fellow RV-8 builder Mark Dickens helped me hang the engine. I broke this process down into 3 phases: 1. The takeoff. Easily done with an appropriately rated engine hoist. 2. The approach. Easily done with the integrated hoist wheels 3. The landing. Not easily done. Think severe cross-winds to a bumpy, FOD plagued runway.
There are many techniques on VAF with more in-depth reports than what I'm putting here, but basically I followed the technique of inserting the top mounting bolts and then use the hoist to slightly lift a portion of the weight of the engine to align the lower mounting bolt holes. I used scrap bolts ground to a smooth point as inserts first to get the alignment and then replaced each with the actual bolts. I used the plans specified castle nuts and cotter pins. Others have replaced the nuts with metal locknuts.
