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Scott's Aircraft Build Logs
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Date:  1-2-2016
Number of Hours:  5.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  The cowling chronicle continues - 01

Setting the forward location proved more difficult than one would imagine. The plans are rather limited on information, the web contains much conflicting methods and answers, and this cowling is not even close to uniform.

One reason the visual references and measured references seem off to me is the engine offset. The straight edge in image two is running right along the engine case split line bisecting the spinner aft bulkhead and up to the center of the spinner point (or where it would be located.) The cleco in the center of the photo (left of the straight edge) is on the aircraft center line. It is about 3/8" left of the straight edge. So the cowling needs to be straight with the spinner aft bulkhead and square with the firewall. The engine does not really come into play except visually which makes me re-measure everthing fifteen times.

Additionally the cowling is almost an inch longer on the right side than on the left side. When I got the top cowling on I set the forward spinner gap (1/4"), the opening aft of the spinner centered and the cowling parallel to the fuselage is when I found the longer right side.

Steps taken to get here.

1. As per the plans I measured and marked a line that is two inches aft of the firewall.
2. Using a straight edge I measured the top cowling cut line across the center spinner opening and the two air inlets to make sure everything was square.
3. I placed the cowling on the aircraft and measured to ensure it was level and parallel to the fuselage. I used a digital level across the longerons to check the aircraft and then using the straight edge clamped to the cut line on the top cowling. To support the cowling in the correct vertical position I fabricated two shims and bolted them to the engine for support.
4. The cowling now sets straight behind the spinner bulkhead left to right and an 1/8" low to allow for the engine to settle. But it is not parallel to the spinner bulkhead. It runs away at the lower portion. Of course as the engine settles
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