Firewall flange dimpling?

[jmjula]

From those that have been there, are there any problems dimpling the firewall flanges and skins prior to re-assembling the fuselage for riveting? It seems like I could wait to dimple until after the hinges are drilled for the cowling, but then the dimpling will have to be done through the skin and firewall together.

Thanks,
James

 

[McFly]

Dimple now

Go ahead and dimple the skin and firewall now.

If I could do it again, I would also rivet the hinges before the engine mount is attached to the firewall. Good luck

 

[Davepar]

I was wondering the same thing. But won't the dimples get in the way when trying to position the hinge (or camloc backing strip) on the firewall flange?

 

[RV7Guy]

Dimpling Firewall

Dave,

Got this tip from my neighbor. On my tip up, I set up the top forward skin and dimpled the firewall and then the top skin. Later I decided to use Skybolt fasteners. Set up the backing plates and countersunk them. When I was ready to rivet the plate to the firewall and top skin I went back and dimpled everything as a unit. This pulled everything into place for a nice tight fit.

I riveted the Skybolts with the mounting plates already rivets in place.

Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
Inspection Friday!!