Brief Description: Shortened right air inlet ramp.
This morning I grabbed the hacksaw and cut about 1" off the forward edge of the left inlet ramp and filter bracket which holds the snorkle air filter. Charlotte watched in amazement. This was necessary because I forgot about removing the lower cowl when I fabricated the forward snorkle bracket. The prop spinner bulkhead only allows 1/4" of forward movement to clear the inlet ramp from the cowl inlet lips while removing the lower cowl. After hacksawing the flange that contained three screws into nutplates that were on the snorkle bracket, the front edge was weak and flimsy. I, therefore, fabricated a small angle out of 0.025" aluminum that fit under the forward ramp edge and inside the filter retaining bracket. I riveted it through the forward ramp edge with flush -3 rivets using the hand squeezer. It strengthened the forward edge significantly, but it is still not as strong as before the hack job. But I think it is strong enough to hold the cowl lip on top of the forward ramp edge and will probably not need any rubber for sealing.
During all this refurbishment, Charlotte was working (sanding) on the upper intersection fairings between the fuselage and main gear leg fairings. I also decided to install the left magneto blast tube and one for the alternator. I will also finish the plenum flanges tomorrow.
Hacking to shorten right inlet ramp.
Small angle riveted inside front edge of ramp over filter bracket for strength.
