RV-9 Cowling/Spinner Alignment

[Joe Casey]

I have had the engine hanging on the firewall for about a year, and am now ready to install the cowl. My question is, will there be further droop of the engine (as the engine is run), and if so, how much should I plan for?

 

[rv9aviator]

I doubt it. I set mine high and 40 some hours later it hasn't moved.

 

[TroyBranch]

Seems to be mixed opinions on whether or not it drops. My nine did drop about 1/8 and the ten dropped about 1/16. If you line up the top corner of the cowl at the same elevation as the top of the spinner it will look great if it drops or not. If it drops, the spinner will be aligned with the cowling hole and if it doesnt it will still look good. Keep in mind that there is many poorly fit cowlings out there. Some 1/4 to 1/2 out of alignments that I have seen. It is a tough job to get it perfect so just be happy with where ever it ends up.