Baffeling Repair

[170C]

Baffling behind # 1 & # 2 cylinders have slits in them where the cylinder fins have rubbed. This obviously needs to be addressed as while the volume of cooling air that can escape may be small, any is too much. How to repair? Short of replacing the entire rear baffle, what are some suggestions? Would a piece of aluminum (thickness ? ) riveted or glued to the back side of the baffle work? Could some kind of compound be used to fill the slits?

[GAHorn]

Frank, if you want to do this inexpensively... the answer is YES.... Simply cut an appropriately sized sheet of similar material, and using Hi-temp RTV as both an adhesive AND filler... (use a pop-sickle stick or tongue depressor to work the rtv into the slits, then a paint a generous amount of RTV onto the mating surface of the patch...and stick to on. Let it cure before flight.
If you really want to over-kill it... you can even use pop-rivets at the corners of the patch to reinforce it.

[blueldr]

Frank,
I had the same trouble on my airplane when I bought it. I adjusted the baffles to where tyey were no longer touching the cylinder fins and then patched them with gum backed aluminum metal duct tape. It was supposed to be a temporary repair, but it lasted for years until I finally made new baffles.

[Brad Brady]

Frank,
I had the same trouble on my airplane when I bought it. I adjusted the baffles to where tyey were no longer touching the cylinder fins and then patched them with gum backed aluminum metal duct tape. It was supposed to be a temporary repair, but it lasted for years until I finally made new baffles.

BL,
on first read, I thought I saw bubble gum wrapped Al. foil held in place with duct tape

[GAHorn]

A bootlegged duck, walking and chewing gum at the same time quacks me up.

[blueldr]

George,
You oughta be ashamed of yourself!