Engine bay gap filler photos

[sadowin]

I just created a photo album that has some photos of my engine bay gap fillers. They are in Mikeithehats Gull 2000.

[blaswichk]

Nice job on the engine bay gap filler. Looks like your fairing to the fuselage unscrews like mine to get to the engine and motor mounts, and it looks like you formed it out of aluminum. Pocketing in the muffler was the challenge for me, so I started with that side first. I don’t have the top skin like you do, as mine is covered by the engine cowl, and when lifted up gives me access to the bottom side of the engine. Sure makes the plane fly nicer.

kb

[sadowin]

At first I had the muffler turned up and mounted to the head bolts
but I didn't like how high it was sitting. When I turned it back down I was going to fair it into the bottom piece but decided it looked OK and made no difference in performance uncovered. I was also worried about how hot it might get covered in. Kess do you have any heat issues on yours?
That cowling sure looks nice, did you get it from Mark?

Mikeinthehat

[blaswichk]

Yes, I did get the cowling from Mark. I had to modify it to fit the Gull 2000, as the engine sits about 3 inches higher than in the J/JT models, (that’s why we get to run larger diameter props). I basically located the front of the cowl where it would fit best over then engine, then slit the sides to let them settle down on the gap filler. I then filled in the space with new fiberglass and resin. On the inside above the muffler, I used a foil type heat shield blanket from Aircraft Spruce. Works great, no heating of the cowl, and the engine temps are unchanged with or without the cowl, as well as the airspeed doesn’t change. To me, the cowl gives the plane a finished look like the other experimentals, as well as keeping the weather off the rubber parts and wiring and cables. I did manage to form the bottom of the gap filler to pocket in the muffler bottom side, even though it still protrudes out the bottom about 2 inches. Oh what fun being experimenters!

kb