Baffle to cowl clearance

[Tbone]

On my baffle plan drawings (RV7) it asks for a clearance between 3/8 -1/2" from the baffle "edge" to inner cowling. Is there any reason to defer from these dimensions due to differences in seal material or clearance issues? Any gotchas or areas I need to look out for and pay close attention to?

[rv8ch]

I've got the same question - I have this level of clearance, and I've read somewhere that others had the baffles touching the cowl when the engine shakes. Only 1/2" seems a bit tight, but will the engine shake more than 0.5" in any direction?

Here's the area where it seems the tightest:

[Robert Anglin]

We use some of Van's seal for the most part and then we use some of the heavy thick stuff from ACS. We set up the cowl to be 3/8th. from the baffle and this all seems to work just fine. I guess you could shoot for 7/16 if your wanted to. Just kidding. Hope this helps, Yours, R.E.A. III #80888

[Steve Melton]

I had a small paint crack spot (ellispe shape) that I couldn't figure out until I read a post from another about similar. I can't remember who it was but thanks for your post. When I looked closer I had contact with the baffle and the aft edge flat of the bonded inlet fairing. It was wearing a knife edge into the alum baffle and cutting into the glass. I removed the fiberglass interference.