Matt's RV-8 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
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Date:  7-24-2010
Number of Hours:  5.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Replacement Oil Door & Hartwell Latches - Part 1

I had very few issues with the RV-8 post test flight. One issue, however, was the latch on the oil door that is located on the top of the cowling above the engine. I originally used a single Cam latch in the center on a custom .063" aluminum door I made. The problem was down low at 230-240 MPH, the oil door would "pop" open due to the high pressure inside the cowling and less than secure-ness of the Cam latch. Fortunately, the door didn't buzz off and go flying into the windshild! I also wasn't that happy with the fit of the aluminum door as I made it fit perfectly initially, but then primed it and found that it didn't fit so well any longer.

So, I decided to just start over. I also decided to try and use the fiberglass oil door that Van's supplies. Originally, I had opted for the custom metal door because the fiberglass one that came with the kit didn't fit the contour of the cowling very well. I ordered a couple more doors from Van's and found that one of these new ones fit the cowling very nicely. I also ordered a couple of Hartell H-5000-2 latches from Aircraft Spruce ( http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/flushlatch.php ) and found that they would probably hold the door a lot more securely.

The problem is that the Hartell latches aren't the easiest thing to mount. They require a very odd sized hole. So, I got out my micrometer and CAD program and drew up an exacting mounting hole pattern. I added a second one facing the opposite way on the CAD, then printed it out and marked the fiberglass door. Some careful cutting with the trusty 409 Dremel Cutoff wheel and some very careful filing yielded a very nice set of mounting holes.

Cont. Next Log...
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Fiberglass Oil Door & Hartwell H-5000-2 Latches

Fiberglass Oil Door & Hartwell H-5000-2 Latches

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Fiberglass Oil Door & Hartwell H-5000-2 Latches

Fiberglass Oil Door & Hartwell H-5000-2 Latches

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Fiberglass Oil Door & Hartwell H-5000-2 Latches

Fiberglass Oil Door & Hartwell H-5000-2 Latches

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