Do I have to remove gear leg fairings to remove lower cowling?

[rsr3]

Hi folks,

I’m currently working on spats and wanted to take the cowling off the engine. It occurred to me that it would be difficult to remove the lower cowling without removing the gear leg fairings beforehand due to interference around the gear leg.

Is this normal, or is there a technique to remove the cowlings without interference from the gear leg fairings? Do I need to open up the holes on the lower cowling a bit more to accommodate them?

Thanks.

 

[D-Dubya]

It's normal to remove the upper gear leg intersection fairings to remove the lower cowling, but the long gear leg fairing itself will stay in place. Yes, you'll have to open up the hole in the cowling to clear the leading edge of the gear leg fairing. Before removing the lower cowling, I typically put some 2" painters tape on the fuselage side and the front of the gear leg fairing to prevent scratching as the lower half is dropped out.

There are some RV's that have the intersection fairings split and molded into the cowling and the gear leg fairings, but I don't know how well that works in practice.

 

[rsr3]

That’s helpful to know. Thank you! More sanding in my future!

 

[uk_figs]

The amount of cowling cutout somewhat depends on your aircraft configuration, i.e. tailwheel, 2 or 3 bladed prop, airbox or not etc. You will need more cutout if you have a 3 bladed prop and the standard carb/airbox configuration so that the cowling can drop and move back a bit to clear the prop. Also if your configuration will not let the cowling drop straight down make sure you have reasonable clearance between the spinner back plate and the front of the cowl. The blue tape trick mentioned is also good on the prop if you have a 3 blade.
Figs

 

[jherzog]

FYI, Anti-Splat Aero makes a nose wheel fairing protector for use when removing/installing the lower cowl. A bit pricey (to me) for a thin piece of plastic, but it works.

https://antisplataero.com/product/nose-wheel-fairing-protector/

 

[rockwoodrv9]

I have an A model so it may be different but this is what I did. I have a 3 blade Catto so I had to make a larger cutout than those with a 2blade. I don’t see a value in trying to make the cutout smaller. I also have the chainsaw Skybolt flanges so that makes the cut out need to be larger too.

 

[RV-9erA]

Hi folks,

I’m currently working on spats and wanted to take the cowling off the engine. It occurred to me that it would be difficult to remove the lower cowling without removing the gear leg fairings beforehand due to interference around the gear leg.

Is this normal, or is there a technique to remove the cowlings without interference from the gear leg fairings? Do I need to open up the holes on the lower cowling a bit more to accommodate them?

Thanks.

It does help prevent scuffing-up of your leg fairing while removing and reinstalling your cowling, but it's not a requirement, but I always do!

 

[arffguy]

You can also save old thin cardboard cereal boxes and tape them in place. That's what a friend of mine does all the time.

 

[rsr3]

This is a tailwheel, but all tips appreciated! Thanks.