[dmat]

Looking to convert a 6a with old 6a mount to a tailwheel. Vans doesn?t sell the 6 mount anymore and only makes the 7 mount.

Has anyone done this conversion? If so, do the holes line up? How hard of a conversion would this be?

Thanks,
D

 

[David Paule]

I understand that the RV-6 was one of the non-prepunched kits. If that's the case, the holes were probably made by holding the RV-6A engine mount to the firewall for reference. So it would only be happenstance that the RV-7 mount's holes would line up.

Van's technical support should be have the definitive answer.

Dave

 

[lr172]

I considered installing the RV7 320 mount with the further fwd engine position on my 2000 era kit to help with W&B. I spoke to the company that makes the mounts. They told me that my mount was made by a different company with a different jig and that the prior company didn't keep very tight tolerances. They informed me that it was very likely that the holes would off between the two mounts.

I ultimately decided that it was worth the hassle.

Larry

 

[PCHunt]

Was, or Was Not? Did you do the conversion?

 

[Ed_Wischmeyer]

I've got a brand new cowling for a -7 in Savannah, GA, for an O-320. If you need one or want to upgrade... and if any of your buddies are driving to Sun 'n' Fun, they'll be passing by here.

Ed

 

[lr172]

Was, or Was Not? Did you do the conversion?

I did not do the conversion. I didn't want the hassle of tearing up the plating behind the firewall to address hogged out holes that would likely result from the new mount. Not a fun job. the first owner of my kit left me a hogged out hole (for the the engine mount) that needed to be addressed. It was a decent amount of work and that was with the front top skin off. Not a job that I wanted to do while laying upside down under the panel. Those older guys like me, with bifocals, know what I am talking about.

Larry

 

[WingsOnWheels]

If you have a professional welder nearby, you could always give it a try, if the holes don't line up, Modify the mount as needed and reweld.

What year was your 6A built? The later kits came with the pre-punched RV-7 firewall. If your firewall is one piece, then it is the later -7 version. If the curved sides are riveted on, then it is the older firewall.

RV-7 Firewall on RV-6A:

 

[N941WR]

I considered installing the RV7 320 mount with the further fwd engine position on my 2000 era kit to help with W&B. I spoke to the company that makes the mounts. They told me that my mount was made by a different company with a different jig and that the prior company didn't keep very tight tolerances. They informed me that it was very likely that the holes would off between the two mounts.

I ultimately decided that it was worth the hassle.

Larry

Larry, when I replaced my mount two years ago (found a crack), I had to send Steve Furjesi at Experimental Aircraft Metal Fabrication Inc my old mount. He made a jig from that and welded up a new mount for me, sent it to Van's to have the gear leg bolt holes drilled, powder coated, and shipped across the country to South Carolina. The cost was $2,000 plus shipping.

He did a great job and it bolted right up.