I'm working on fitting the cowling and started with the upper cowling, which I've positioned to my satisfaction and trimmed to the firewall. I've installed the skybolts and am happy (perhaps because ignorance is bliss) with how it hangs and how it's positioned relative to the spinner backplate (FP prop). I have not yet done any trimming on the horizontal.
The issue is with the bottom cowling, which fits to the upper cowling like high heels fit on a horse. To say that Van's fiberglass work is not up to their aluminum craftsmanship is a vast understatement and an old story. I could not find a way to fit the bottom cowling to the top cowling while mounted on the plane, so I removed it and began working with both cowlings on the shop floor per Dan Horton's recommendation (http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=461049). I have fitted the halves together so that the opening is 13" in diameter and have the back of the cowling matched to the height of the firewall. The inlets are equal in height as well.
Pics of current status:
My questions for the cowling gurus are:
1. Should I go ahead and trim the upper and lower cowling to each other while off the plane? If I don't do that, I don't see how I can match them up on the plane.
2. I am tempted to cut off the overlapping areas of the inner inlet sections because they fit so poorly and were so sloppily made. I'm thinking I can recreate that section later.
Thanks for any thoughts!
The issue is with the bottom cowling, which fits to the upper cowling like high heels fit on a horse. To say that Van's fiberglass work is not up to their aluminum craftsmanship is a vast understatement and an old story. I could not find a way to fit the bottom cowling to the top cowling while mounted on the plane, so I removed it and began working with both cowlings on the shop floor per Dan Horton's recommendation (http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=461049). I have fitted the halves together so that the opening is 13" in diameter and have the back of the cowling matched to the height of the firewall. The inlets are equal in height as well.
Pics of current status:
My questions for the cowling gurus are:
1. Should I go ahead and trim the upper and lower cowling to each other while off the plane? If I don't do that, I don't see how I can match them up on the plane.
2. I am tempted to cut off the overlapping areas of the inner inlet sections because they fit so poorly and were so sloppily made. I'm thinking I can recreate that section later.
Thanks for any thoughts!