cutting RV-8 cowl sides

skidookid · #1 12-09-2014, 08:28 PM

My 8 engine cowl over laps on the sides. Getting ready to cut cowl sides . Any words of wisdom or pictures thanks. Roger t

DaAV8R · #2 12-09-2014, 09:54 PM

I don't have any words of wisdom because I am at the exact same spot. As my top forward skin isn't riveted, I trimmed the upper cowl just forward of the cleco's so it is currently resting on top of the upper forward skin. I have it pinned down at the forward edge and also the trailing edge to prevent movement. I cut the back of the cowl with a cut-off wheel in a die grinder. I was surprised how slow the cutting went. How are you cutting your cowl?

timandmeli · #3 12-10-2014, 04:06 AM

Just an idea. I dropped a light into the oil door opening which backlit the cowl and let me see where I needed to mark the cut line. Then I cut outside the line and used the forementioned sanding block for final fitting. Tim

DanH · #4 12-10-2014, 04:24 AM

You have first fitted the nose sections together, before any attempt to fit to the airplane?

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...t.php?p=461049

Larry DeCamp · #5 12-10-2014, 04:48 AM

Dremel diamond coated cutoff wheels go trough fiberglass like butter with a very small kerf.

cfiidon · #6 12-10-2014, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry DeCamp

Dremel diamond coated cutoff wheels go trough fiberglass like butter with a very small kerf.

I wholeheartedly agree. It is also invaluable when cutting the canopy.

I found a laser level also invaluable during my build for leveling the aircraft, marking the cowl for position and for cutting, as well as setting the horizontal and vertical stabs.

Don

Ron RV8 · #7 12-10-2014, 09:13 AM

What Dan said,,, plus an el-cheapo hardware store laser... You can move it to where you need it...

capt6093 · #8 01-04-2015, 09:48 PM

I'm using the James cowl on my RV8 with IO360 parallel valve forward horizontal cold air induction and will not get the three blade MT prop for some time, but would like to continue working on the cowl. Does anyone have a measurement for this combination from the flywheel starter ring to the very front of the cowl?

Ed

bob888 · #9 01-07-2015, 11:46 PM

The engine in my Cessna has settled in its mounts over time. Top of spinner is now about 3/8 in low. If the RV10 is going to do likewise is it advisable to set the cowl a bit low initially? Anyone with experience?

Ironflight · #10 01-08-2015, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob888

The engine in my Cessna has settled in its mounts over time. Top of spinner is now about 3/8 in low. If the RV10 is going to do likewise is it advisable to set the cowl a bit low initially? Anyone with experience?

I've had one airplane that I set high, and it never settled, and then the next one I set neutral, and it settled - you can't win for losing sometimes!