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When to rotisserie? RV8

J

johntwilcox

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I’m at the stage of putting fuselage/tail cone together for the last time.

Can I put it on a rotisserie with skins and longs cleco’d and then rivet, or do I need to rivet first.


What is best practice for hanging firewall from rotisserie pre-engine mount?

Thanks
 
On page 8-44 of the plans, it says the following: "A finished RV-8 stands tall when it's on its wheels. The exact "best time" to permanently mount the landing gear will depend on the exact assembly sequence you choose..."

That is the point I mounted mine to the rotisserie. As far as mounting the firewall to the rotisserie frame, I used slightly undersized toggle bolts throught the engine mount holes in the firewall weldments. I used undersized in case I had to make adjustments when fitting the engine mount to the firewall.

Hope this helps.
 
If you have your engine mount in hand, there is no harm in drilling this to the fuselage now. Otherwise undersized bolts work well. You won't regret a rotisserie. I would wait until all skins are riveted, with the exception of top fwd and aft skins.
 
Related - at what point of the build did you take it off the rotisserie? I am getting to the brakes shortly, and in order to install the master cylinder I'll need to remove it from the rotisserie - I want to install firewall insulation under all that stuff that gets mounted to the firewall. Should I install the gear at this point? Hold off longer? After the brakes it's top skins fore and aft and then finish kit, also installing wings for the first time. Seems likely I'll need it on wheels for that, but it's a few months out.
 
There’s a lot of flexibility at that point. You have to set it up upside down to rig and drill the gear but you have the option to take the gear legs off until you are ready for the engine and wings. Once it’s on the gear it’s a lot wider in your workspace. As I recall there is little reason to install the brake reservoir at the point the assembly instructions say to.
 
inktomi said:
Related - at what point of the build did you take it off the rotisserie? I am getting to the brakes shortly, and in order to install the master cylinder I'll need to remove it from the rotisserie - I want to install firewall insulation under all that stuff that gets mounted to the firewall. Should I install the gear at this point? Hold off longer? After the brakes it's top skins fore and aft and then finish kit, also installing wings for the first time. Seems likely I'll need it on wheels for that, but it's a few months out.
Click to expand...
I chose to do all of the avionics and wiring on the rotisserie, before riveting the forward top skin on. Then, forward top skin, canopy and forward baggage door. After all that is finished, I'll put it up on a big table lift, remove the rotisserie, and mount the gear legs, axles and wheels and finish the brake lines.
 
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