Brief Description: Mounting the Engine to the Fuselage
Reamed the nosewheel bolt hole in prep for installing the engine on the fuselage.
Got the engine out of the shipping crate and added a spacer from ECI for the right angle oil filter adapter that was out of stock at Aerosport when they shipped the engine to me. Had to remove the right side P-Mags and B&C backup alternator in order to remove and install the four bolts for the extension. Reinstalled and torqued back up.
After many recommendations onthe engine mounting process, I took everyone's advice and first mounted the Lourd mounts to the engine frame then bolted the frame to the fuselage. I was a bit concerned doing this all myself as over the past few months it appears that very few builders do this solo. In the end it can be a one man job and for me it was actually fairly easy to do.
Not shown in the pictures, but critical to the entire operations was a 2 ton engine hoist which made the entire process possible. The mounts went in with a bit of persuasion and I started top to bottom Right to left. The top two Lourd mounts are installed with the hard rubber facing aft and the soft rubber facing the engine mounts. The bottom two mounts are exactly opposite with the hard rubber facing the engine and the soft rubber facing aft. I bottomed out each each bolt out as per the plans and then backed out and torqued to spec.
When mounting the engine frame to the fuselage it was easier to keep the engine hoist in position and manuver the fuselage to line up with the frame mounting holes.
Still need to torque the remaining bolts and install cotter pins but the hard part of the job is done.
For anyont that is hesitant to do this alone as long as you take your time and have a good engine hoist the process is very easy to do.
Another milestone reached. Sitting on her own legs for the first time.
