Firewall weldments

[kjelle69]

Can these weldments be identified? New, old, reinforced?
I always check them for cracks or damage and it's easy since there is no insulation but still curious about which type it is?

[joeboisselle]

That's what I have, bought the kit in 2006. Blueprint page #27 shows the same.

[gasman]

Looks like you may have a leaking fitting.

[kjelle69]

Originally Posted by gasman

Looks like you may have a leaking fitting.

Oh, yes. This is a picture from 2012, these are repaired now. I had brake fluid all over the place in these days. :-D

[kjelle69]

Originally Posted by joeboisselle

That's what I have, bought the kit in 2006. Blueprint page #27 shows the same.

I looked up page #27 on the USB stick with the plans and it seems that some reinforcement is added on top of my weldments? The original bracket marked as "1" in my image is corresponding to the WD-403R in the plans but on top of that there is another thicker bracket marked as "2" in the image.

Also I cant see the longeron "3" in the plans.

Could it be so that the original builder put in these as extras since there is a O-360 engine in this machine?

[fixnflyguy]

Your weldments look to be reinforced/repaired/modified at some point. I have attached a picture of the late model/style weldments from my build in late 90's. The early weldments were "split along the corners, the newer ones are bent / welded pocket fittings.

[eisnerrv4]

500 hours in 10 years. that's not bad. You're doing better than me.

[kjelle69]

Originally Posted by eisnerrv4

500 hours in 10 years. that's not bad. You're doing better than me.

I am not really following you here ?

[Vac]

Kjelle,

You have the new style fittings.

Cheers,

Vac

[Stewbronco]

Those are reinforced weldements ….NOT the new style …..RVATOR had an article from VANS on that problem and fix on older style weldments ….I have lots of pictures of broken older weldments and the fix but can’t post them sorry