Get the longer, one-piece hinge that is spring loaded so that it stays open on its own when unlatched.
erich i
Hi Larry
If you google "aircraft oil door hinge" there will be images. ACS has them for $40.00. 12-04708.
The Camloc latches KM 610 go well with the door, I installed two. Also be aware these are available for different material thicknesses. I made my door out of Al 0.063. Jet-Tek has them.
Why two (2) Camloc latches? Does just one in the center not work good enough to keep door closed?
To answer your question:
With the hinge positioned as you show it on the right, the sharp bend in the movable half should just clear the recessed flange around the cowl opening. If you position the fixed half inside the cowl so that happens, then 'close' the hinge and tape your door in place, that will define where the movable half attaches to the door.
Note that if you make your recessed flange too wide, it will move the hinge too far toward the center of the door, and the edge of the door will hit the cowl before the door opens all the way.
Tape everything together, pull the door-to-cowl tape, and move the door to see what happens. Then tweak for best operation before permanent mounting.
Now, where did you get the hinges? McMaster Carr used to sell them, but I can't find them on their site any more.
Charlie
Steve, stiffening the oil door is a good idea. Most of them seem to bow out a bit due to internal cowl pressure.
My own has one centered latch. I run somewhat higher cowl pressure than most due to exit throttling. Call it a special case if you like, but it will bow the door just a smidgen, and it has ten plies of 9oz glass added to the backside.
Does the fiberglass oil door supplied by Van's need to be made thicker or stiffer? Sorry, I hope I'm not high-jacking your post, just looks like a subtopic of Oil Door Hinges.
I see some have made an aluminum door. And some have beefed it up. Is that necessary? Does anyone use the thin fiberglass door as is from Van's and if so is it just fine? How about when using a hidden hinge?
thanks
After reading about bulging oil doors I decided to make mine out of .063 aluminum sheet.
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I did the same, the picture looks just like this on SJ cowl. It did seem that the James cowl had a compound curve and had to locate an english wheel to make all the edges and corners lay down flat. YMMV. BTW - I also bent the latch to fit flush and latch as mounted with the curve. I was surprised it had never been mentioned. .063 2024T6 is tough to bend!!