Assembled firewall, floor channels, and other components as follows:
1. Prepped and primed all aliuminum and 4130 steel pats with the exception of the firewall cross brace. The latter will serve as part of the instrument panel ground system. Also, applied gray enamel to all parts that will remain visible after final assembly.
2. Attached all parts with cleco's and riveted per the construction manual rivet schedules. These schedule span multiple pages and need to be reviewed carefully. Used stainless washers on the firewall seam rivets instead ot the brass washers provided. These should be stronger and won't promote dissimilar metal corrosion. Also, found that the single hole in 3 of 4 lower engine mount weldments did not quite line up with the holes firewall and reinforcing plates. Enlarged holes to oversize and substituted CherryMax oversize rivets for the CCPQ-44's. The CherryMax rivets are about 4X the strength of the CCPQ's, so this should not be an issue.
4. Attached brake fluid reservoir, battery box and a Lamar "Super Switch" solid state starter contactor to the firewall. Also, drilled the oil tank bracket holes to 3/16".
