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Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 5:29 pm
by 170C
Good information Jim and a really nice job! Can't see from your photos any need to redo your door. However, if you find you are going to do so feel free to send me your first rebuild (minus latches). I think it would work wonders on 888A.
I know you will want to paint your cowl door to match that nice cowling, but that light shade of green might make your plane go a bit faster
Frank
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 7:30 pm
by GAHorn
170C wrote:Good information Jim and a really nice job! Can't see from your photos any need to redo your door. However, if you find you are going to do so feel free to send me your first rebuild (minus latches). I think it would work wonders on 888A.
I know you will want to paint your cowl door to match that nice cowling, but that light shade of green might make your plane go a bit faster
Frank
Probably made him think the left wing was heavy and the P-factor increased.

Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 10:35 pm
by 170C
Hard to get any respect around George

Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 12:38 am
by lowNslow
Ordered some new H5000 - .064 latches and received them today and they look great. $12.00 each.
https://vod.ebay.com/vod/FetchOrderDeta ... noapp=true
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 5:34 pm
by ron74887
Just a note: what I did was drill a hole at the top center of the door and add a screw plate under the cowling. you have to remove the screw to open the door but it will not open in flight or allow a lot of movement. Ron
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 1:46 am
by jwlynnav
My pilot side door is doing same thing. It’s about to break the small piece of metal on aft latch as as the one in the pic that Jim repaired. I’m not handy as he (Jim) is working metal nor do I have the tools. Is there any repair advice?
Thanks
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2020 2:55 am
by c170b53
Missing the small piece over the tongue of the latch wouldn’t make me worry. If the door is a loose fit then a crack may develop as was the case for my pilots side door near the latch. I’d just try to delay further damage by using silicon where the latches contact the cowl to reduce vibration damage.
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2020 4:28 am
by DaveF
I've seen new doors fabricated without the troublesome little strip. Doesn't look as good as the original, but it works.
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:27 am
by jwlynnav
Thanks I appreciate the response
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:34 pm
by DaveF
The small cotter pin prevents the latch from opening too far and breaking the little strip.
B96A9CC4-5539-4014-A30C-846B72824863.jpeg
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:44 pm
by DaveF
Here’s my new door. I still have some trimming and bending to make it fit just right.
8787BA96-9E27-412B-8C9B-09C7EA30F9CB.jpeg
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:31 pm
by c170b53
Nice Dave,
As they say its easier to take the metal off than put it back on. Perfect with these doors can take some time.
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:10 pm
by DaveF
Not as nice as yours, Jim, but I’m reasonably satisfied. Took three attempts to get it right, or at least acceptable.
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:39 pm
by DaveF
Door number two!
2DB39DD6-79A5-43B2-9523-93E2B58FD640.jpeg
Re: 53 Cowl doors
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:16 pm
by c170b53
I’d say better, nice work on the latch cut-outs.