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Cowl pin containment
- Thread starter jswflyboy
- Start date
Don’t the plans call for a tab and screw? I’ve seen planes flying with no retention, and they migrate forward.. I’ve even heard over time, they’ll migrate into the spinning propeller!!
What I use on my RV6. Available from Vans.
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My side cowl pins are removed aft of the firewall, the through at 1/4” AN bulkhead fitting. I use 1/4” aluminum tube between the firewall and the next aft bulkhead that has this AN fitting.. The pins are caputured by putting a closed end 1/4” tube on the aft side of this fitting.
Carl
Carl
thompsonbr87
Well Known Member
What I use on my RV6. Available from Vans.
I have lost the tab that secures the pin. Is there a part # that is just the tab?
I think it’s a stainless steel hinge tab. If you have a SS hinge with the right diameter for the pin, you could just cut off a section and have it welded back on.
It is almost like primer wars, to prime or not, what kind of primer. There are dozens of ways. The post above kind of ststatus quo. The old sage advice build it per plans.
The simple, lightest, easiest to install are the pins wVan's sells with the tabs (as shown above). External (ever so slightly) and one screw and nut plate. Done. When taking off one screw, pull pin out. The fancy recessed covers come in all flavors, but tend to be way more involved, costly, weighs more, time consuming to fabricate and in use more time to remove. If not harder to remove and install you end up with more extra loose parts. HOWEVER Viva La difference, different strokes.... what ever makes you happy.
On my RV-4 I had a slot or notch in top and bottom cowl to make room to pus the pin home. There was no positive retention and in 1000 hrs plus never migrated out. On my next build:
PS: Out of the box (but has been +35 yrs) is put Van's RV cowl side pins in from cockpit side. You have small hole in firewall and fed it from back to front. The pin was extra long and came out to the bulkhead under panel. There was a tube bonded into place to guide it to the piano hinge. It was a popular idea or at least an ideal, at one time. It will make the absolute cleanest looking installation. I recall people's big complaint with this approach, was to take cowl off or put back on, they had to climb into the cockpit. Also might need a 2nd person to wiggle and cajole the two cowl haves together to get pin started. Sounds like more work, but dare to be different.
The simple, lightest, easiest to install are the pins wVan's sells with the tabs (as shown above). External (ever so slightly) and one screw and nut plate. Done. When taking off one screw, pull pin out. The fancy recessed covers come in all flavors, but tend to be way more involved, costly, weighs more, time consuming to fabricate and in use more time to remove. If not harder to remove and install you end up with more extra loose parts. HOWEVER Viva La difference, different strokes.... what ever makes you happy.
On my RV-4 I had a slot or notch in top and bottom cowl to make room to pus the pin home. There was no positive retention and in 1000 hrs plus never migrated out. On my next build:
PS: Out of the box (but has been +35 yrs) is put Van's RV cowl side pins in from cockpit side. You have small hole in firewall and fed it from back to front. The pin was extra long and came out to the bulkhead under panel. There was a tube bonded into place to guide it to the piano hinge. It was a popular idea or at least an ideal, at one time. It will make the absolute cleanest looking installation. I recall people's big complaint with this approach, was to take cowl off or put back on, they had to climb into the cockpit. Also might need a 2nd person to wiggle and cajole the two cowl haves together to get pin started. Sounds like more work, but dare to be different.
Holy crap that's expensive for what they are. Lots of ways to close that hinge eye from sexy down to the lowest tech. I'd add an ugly crimp via vice before I paid those prices.It is almost like primer wars, to prime or not, what kind of primer. There are dozens of ways. The post above kind of ststatus quo. The old sage advice build it per plans.
The simple, lightest, easiest to install are the pins wVan's sells with the tabs (as shown above). External (ever so slightly) and one screw and nut plate. Done. When taking off one screw, pull pin out. The fancy recessed covers come in all flavors, but tend to be way more involved, costly, weighs more, time consuming to fabricate and in use more time to remove. If not harder to remove and install you end up with more extra loose parts. HOWEVER Viva La difference, different strokes.... what ever makes you happy.
On my RV-4 I had a slot or notch in top and bottom cowl to make room to pus the pin home. There was no positive retention and in 1000 hrs plus never migrated out. On my next build:
PS: Out of the box (but has been +35 yrs) is put Van's RV cowl side pins in from cockpit side. You have small hole in firewall and fed it from back to front. The pin was extra long and came out to the bulkhead under panel. There was a tube bonded into place to guide it to the piano hinge. It was a popular idea or at least an ideal, at one time. It will make the absolute cleanest looking installation. I recall people's big complaint with this approach, was to take cowl off or put back on, they had to climb into the cockpit. Also might need a 2nd person to wiggle and cajole the two cowl haves together to get pin started. Sounds like more work, but dare to be different.
I believe you are referring to the firewall cowl hinge pins. The pin on the pilot's side backs out about 3/4 inches each flight on my 6A. Haven't figured out how to stop it.
Post some pictures of what you have to keep them in.............or not..........
. Hinge pins are similar to the pins on a -4 and mine have never moved a millimeter.Oh cheap skate after my own heart. Yes they are expensive. Did you know aviation is expensive? You can make your own. So what does it cost to do it another way.?
What is ugly? I say if she has utility, works well, isn't fat, doesn't cause you grief is sexy. Still talking cowl pins not woman.
Sorry but the TAB is not ugly and I take offense... That is my wife. Ha ha.
That looks awesome! Here are some other thoughts: https://vansairforce.net/threads/rv8-cowl-piano-hinge-top-to-bottom-halves.210448/
Kind of like this:
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OK, you win for a few grams lighter installation. Must be good for 5 kts at least.
5uKts of apparent airspeedOK, you win for a few grams lighter installation. Must be good for 5 kts at least.
glfrdug
Well Known Member
Remembered this post when at the hanger this am. We shaped a piece of thicker aluminum into a teardrop and then hollowed out the backside into a small bowl like shape.
Filed a slot for the hinge pin that locks it in place and have one single flathead into a nutplate
Filed a slot for the hinge pin that locks it in place and have one single flathead into a nutplate
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