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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date:  7-25-2015
Number of Hours:  4.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Exhaust system installation

Today’s mission was to get the exhaust system fully installed with the hangars in place and all the nuts appropriately torqued. In order to finish this job I had purchased a couple of essential items—several swivel attachments, as well as 6” and 10” socket wrench extensions. These items were necessary to gain access to several of the exhaust nuts in order to get them tightened. Oh, and I also bought some Mouse Milk while I was in Oshkosh…more on that in a minute.

The plans for the installation of the exhaust system are typical of what I’ve found for many of the systems on this project—detailed for some steps, vague for others, and offering conflicting guidance in a couple of places. For example, the first few steps gave specific instructions for installing the gaskets and pipes; something that would have been hard to confuse due to the cylinder numbers stamped on the engine and the corresponding number written on each pipe. However, the installation of the hangars (a fairly complicated assembly of stainless steel tube, high temp rubber hose, and associated hose clamps and brackets) was accompanied by a hand drawn sketch that provided no help whatsoever. As for the conflicting guidance, the instructions stated the importance of ensuring that all nuts were torqued properly, and one place listed 100 – 140 in lbs, while another mandated 170 – 200 in lbs…hmmm. Turns out a quick check of the company web site provided the correct guidance (the higher number), but how many people are flying around with the wrong torque?

Mouse Milk. I suppose if you invent a product you are entitled to choose whatever name you wish, but this one baffles me. Think WD-40 and you’re pretty close. I guess this stuff is the bomb for lubricating high temperature joints, freeing stuck nuts, etc, and the exhaust system has several ball joints and slip fittings that must be routinely lubricated, so everything got Mouse Milked before final installation. With hangar temps approaching 95, I called it a day.
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Right side exhaust hangar

Right side exhaust hangar

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Test fit of cabin heat muff

Test fit of cabin heat muff

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