Re: Fit of cowling
With regards to William Stewarts' observations regarding the cowling fit:
I didn't notice at first the upward slope of the cowling, my attention was
drawn to the front of the cowling which wasn't parallel with the prop hub.
I found I could file away a small amount on the lower cowling and this
lessened the effect of a mismatch of gap top and bottom once the spinner is
fitted. You would have to be really studying hard to see there still is a
slight mismatch.
My painter pointed out the slope of the join lines as he was masking up the
stripes. Fortunately, the cowl does curve around quite sharply so the
slight upward rise of the stripes is hardly noticable (unless you are
standing at a particular angle). Keeping the stripes absolutely straight
would have accentuated the slope of the cowl join.
I think the 3/4 inch aft of the prop hub is OK because the spinner flange
is around 0.5 inch and you want a gap of around 1/4 inch between it and the
cowling.
Your clearance internally with regard the exhaust outlet is also similar to
mine if not slightly more. I'm not sure if this will be a problem or not as
the engine is pretty solidly mounted. My exhaust system wasn't received
until around 3 months after the engine and cowling was fitted.
I don't see how the engine can be 1 inch too high unless our engine mounts
have been incorrectly cut and welded (which I doubt). You certainly cannot
adjust the height in any way (and keep the prop hub 90 deg to the
centerline).
I didn't have any problem with the air inlet/filter, the forward most part
of the airbox being about 0.5 inch below the cowling. About an inch
clearance for the filter. I think they did come out with a modified airbox
which I guess I must have.
The water radiator JUST fits inside the lower cowling (the airscoop
position being determined by the clearance of the exhaust silencer) so if
the engine was one inch lower I'm not sure it would fit.
I don't think you have made any error regarding engine installation, I
think the cowling is designed like like that - although I do agree it does
seem a little odd. I'd be interested in any feedback you get from the
factory.
Regards
Martin Tuck
Wichita, Kansas
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