Dummy radial – part 2.

Finished up the dummy radial today. Didn’t buy enough of the stainless steel tubing so had to get one more piece – just a 40 minute trek across town for a $3.00 part!

Start of Dummy Radial detailing.

With all the airframe in a no-work wait period, I started a bit of work on finishing up the cowl. I painted the chin divider and now the rivets look good. Before, you couldn’t see them too much, but with the gray paint the stand out just right. Also, the inside of the cowl has been painted with silver Rustoleum to get rid of the fiberglass color.

I bought some metal rod and have figured out a way to inset the finished pieces into the radial – not just a flush-glue joint.

Using a Dremel tool, I’ve deepened the holes around the crankshaft and in each of the rocker covers. I can slip in the cut tubing into the crankshaft, then slide it out a bit to fit into the rocker cover. A bit of epoxy should attach it all.

Dummy Radial fitted.

Lots of cutting, filing, cussing, etc., but the dummy radial is fitted.

Decided to mount it to the cowl, rather than to the engine mount. Easier to get on and off.