Matt's RV-8 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
' style=
Date:  1-4-2014
Number of Hours:  2.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Remounting Engine & Cowling - Part 03

In other related news, in the last picture, check out the nearly perfect vertical alignment of the spinner to the cowling. The spinner is intentially slightly smaller than the outline of the cowling. Since the rubber donuts that go between the engine and the engine mount have had 172 hours of flying and 4 years of hanging to "settle", the fact that the spinner-to-cowling alignment is so perfect is a very good sign that it will remain that way and that there won't be any additional settling! Yahoo.

So, this marks a significant milestone in the rebuild project. There is still plenty to do, but there's probably more behind me than in front of me at this point. While I jumped the gun a bit with the trial fiting the cowling over the engine, I still have to do all of the wiring to the engine as well as the various fuel and oil lines. I also have to replace the left-rear engine baffle as it has cracked badly due to the vibration and heavier oil cooler mounted on it. At about 100 hours, I added a brace that substantially reduced the vibration and ultimately the cracking, but the damage was already done. It's kind of a bummer because it will be a fair amount of work to pull all the baffling off to fabricate a new part. But, such is the standard for the rebuild, it seems. I'll be happy I did and it will be a lot easier now than later, to be sure.
' style=

Engine in place on the new fuselage!

Engine in place on the new fuselage!

' style=

Engine mounted on the new fuselage and supported by it's own bolts!

Engine mounted on the new fuselage and supported by it's own bolts!

' style=

Cowling Trial Fitting - Nearly Perfect - Yahoo!

Cowling Trial Fitting - Nearly Perfect - Yahoo!

' style=










Copyright © 2008-2024 Matt Dralle. All Rights Reserved.