[vansrv8]

I notice that most guys/girls hang the engine before the forward deck is rivetted on. I have had second thoughts about doing this as there are only the keeper rivets on the left side skin attaching it to the upper longeron(and the topside rivets of course).

Does this cause any misalignment with the forward deck pre punch holes? Is it putting any unnessecary strain or twist on the fuse?

 

[jsharkey]

The structure is designed to survive 9g minimum so gently pulling 1g in the workshop won't cause problems. I installed the engine in my -6 without the fwd deck riveted and have had it on and off many times since for footwell access without noticing any miss alignment.
Jim Sharkey

 

[chris mitchell]

We've hung the engine and had the skin on and off a couple of times without any problems so I guess the answer is probably - no, it doesn't cause any misalignment. I think I'd be worried if it did!

Chris