The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I took the cowling off of my '54 170 to install an F&M oil filter a couple of weeks ago. For some reason, I am having a most "interesting time" trying to get the access doors to stay faired with the cowling. When I close the access doors, they have a tendency to want to bulge slightly (gap) and not follow the curve of the cowl. I have tried loosening all the screws and then retighten and the doors still do not fit properly ... more apparent after flying the airplane ... any ideas? The doors were fine before I removed the cowling. Thanks ... Lee

Lee-

I had a problem this last time I removed my cowlings on my '53. For some reason I decided I would install the top cowling first, since afterall, the POH has photos demonstrating how you can remove one or the other!

Reassembling that way, things just didn't want to go together nice and easy. Screw holes weren't lining up as well as previously. I had to loosen and adjust screws here and there to get it to mesh right.

Perhaps your access door gap is related to how you installed the two cowl halves?

I initially put the bottom half on and then the top. I went back and backed the screws out until loose ... better but, still not quite right. I know sheet metal "moves" but, I am a bit puzzled that the access doors fit fine before I removed the cowl and now I am getting these small gaps. I'll keep trying ... bound to be a "trick". I appreciate your comments ... R/Lee

FWIW, I install the bottom cowl first, as the top overlaps it down the sides. I've tried the other way around and just can't get it to work as easily. What eases the pain the most is to install all the screws loosely and close the doors before you tighten ANY screws. This lets you move things around so they'll fit like they're supposed to.

Also, I start tightening screws at the middle of the top cowl at the firewall and work my way all the way down each side. Then I tighten the sides from rear toward the front. I'm not sure it makes much difference, but I feel like this sequence works out whatever "slack" there might be in the fit.

Miles

Thanks ... I will "redo" that aspect of things ... I have tried .loosening all the screws and moving the cowl around a bit but. I will do as you suggested. Fun 'n games! R/Lee

Miles, That is exactly the same way I put the cowling on.