I had the Dip Davis cowl latch STC installed on '69V a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it. One thing I noticed but didn't worry about was that the heads of the Camlocs seemed a little "proud". I put over 100 hours on the airplane with no issues, but this weekend I landed and found that the front left latch was undone and the Camloc was missing. Fortunately a friend let me borrow a fastener from her similarly STC'd 140 so that I could get home.
After I got back to the hangar I checked the Camloc size so I could order a replacement. The STC uses 2600 series studs. I found that the Phillips head studs that came with my STC were the -3 length. The loaner wing stud was a -2 length. Based on the Camloc literature it seems that the -2 is the correct length for 2 thicknesses of .030" aluminum that make up the latch. Subjectively, the -2s feel more secure and I will be switching all of mine to that size.
Here are some photos showing the difference between the -3 (Phillips) and -2 (wing) lengths in my aircraft. Note the height of the head relative to the collar.
I'm not sure if this will help anybody, but I figured I would get it out there just in case.
Finally, if you are in the market to purchase a 2600-2W wing stud, you will probably notice that Aircraft Spruce wants $35 apiece! Univair is a comparative steal at $17. Much more sensibly, a local race car parts supplier had them for $7 each.
Notes on Dip Davis cowl latches and Camlocs
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
Notes on Dip Davis cowl latches and Camlocs
Brian M
N2669V - '48
N2669V - '48
Re: Notes on Dip Davis cowl latches and Camlocs
Good info!
The “Dip Davis” Cowl Latch system is marketed by Taildragger Aviation. Their website does not list the actual part numbers used in their installation, but there are a number of photos there that show a much better Camloc fitment, using Phillips, Slotted, or Wing fasteners. None of them protrude like the -3 did.
https://taildraggeraviation.com/cowl-latch-information
The “Dip Davis” Cowl Latch system is marketed by Taildragger Aviation. Their website does not list the actual part numbers used in their installation, but there are a number of photos there that show a much better Camloc fitment, using Phillips, Slotted, or Wing fasteners. None of them protrude like the -3 did.
https://taildraggeraviation.com/cowl-latch-information
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.