steve murray
Well Known Member
Had the cowl looking pretty good, then realized my prop spacing simulator was off by about 1/2".....^%$%^&(&..... the cowl is too long and would hit the spinner.
OK, decided to remove all the firewall hinges and then remove 1/2 inch off firewall side of the cowling. Normal routine of many times cowling on\off as I try to sneak up on a good fit the 2nd time around....
Now as I try to reinsert the cowl split line hinges I understand the outside circumference of the firewall is larger than the cowl. and the cowl will no longer fit. Picture below is with the horizontal pins inserted as far as they will go. Both sides of the cowling are about the same gap.
Looking for ideas on the best way to repair this issue.
1) Should I remove top or bottom split line horizontal hinges and scarf a new piece in place and reinstall the hinge? If I take this approach, do I need to remove both hinges or just top or bottom?
2) Am I better advised to split the cowl with major surgery just above the honeycomb area and perform two sided splice and leave the old hinges in place?
I have read some the the "Sticky" posts in fiberglass repair section, a bit nervous about having a small scarf joint next to the hinge that starts a 0" and goes to about 1/2"?? Can I (newbie fiberglass skills pull this off?)_
OK, decided to remove all the firewall hinges and then remove 1/2 inch off firewall side of the cowling. Normal routine of many times cowling on\off as I try to sneak up on a good fit the 2nd time around....
Now as I try to reinsert the cowl split line hinges I understand the outside circumference of the firewall is larger than the cowl. and the cowl will no longer fit. Picture below is with the horizontal pins inserted as far as they will go. Both sides of the cowling are about the same gap.
Looking for ideas on the best way to repair this issue.
1) Should I remove top or bottom split line horizontal hinges and scarf a new piece in place and reinstall the hinge? If I take this approach, do I need to remove both hinges or just top or bottom?
2) Am I better advised to split the cowl with major surgery just above the honeycomb area and perform two sided splice and leave the old hinges in place?
I have read some the the "Sticky" posts in fiberglass repair section, a bit nervous about having a small scarf joint next to the hinge that starts a 0" and goes to about 1/2"?? Can I (newbie fiberglass skills pull this off?)_