Snorkel install and more engine details

 

SDS cnc’d valve covers and all engine wiring installed. Almost done with the engine!

The new valve covers are a modern o-ring design which should make them leak free.

Routing the spark plug wires took a lot of time to insure they would not rub on anything:

The alternate air door opens and closes easily. I’m very happy with the fit

More spark plug wire routing progression:

Deutsch plug for reiff sump heaters:

Another deutsch plug for the cowl flap:

I tried to get the egt probes located the same distance from the exhaust flange. It’s a ball park thing because all the pipes have some curve. 

Engine driven fuel pump drain tube:

Sniffle valve drain:

Cabin heat duct routing:

The snorkel looks great installed:

More baffles and miscellaneous engine details

 

Oil filler installed. I used the aftermarket neoprene gasket that is well liked on the VAF forum:

Finished the exhaust pipe supports. I used a thicker piece of hose to form the flexible part of the supports:

Installed the intake ducting and finalized the heat muff position. I like the scat duct from aircraft spruce much better than what is supplied by vans.

Getting ready to install the 4” scat duct to the oil cooler:

To protect the oil return tubes, cht probe and scat duct I used ptfe high temperature spiral wrap from aircraft spruce:

Baffle metal “permanently “ installed:

Baffle connector rods turned out good:

Pushed her outside for a clean and rinse before I installed the baffle metal pieces:

A lot of riveting to get a the pieces ready for installation:

Drilling the cowl for the side skybolt fasteners:

Cowl, snorkel and baffles

 

Cowl ramps with a thin layer of micro filler over the seams and new close out layups. The layups give the baffle material something solid to seal against:

Using paper clips to finish trimming the baffles:

Foam forms for closing the inboard cowl ramps opening with fiberglass:

Snorkel after much filling, sanding, primer and coats of rustoleum hammered finish silver:

Ramps in place and trimmed:

Getting ready to fine tune the baffle fit using the paper clip method (one of many iterations):

Cowl ramps being bonded on:

Positioning the cowl air ramps:

Positioning the top cowl to scribe the trim line on the baffles:

 

Snorkel and baffles

Snorkel prep for more reinforcing fiberglass:

Positioning the alternate air door:

Initial bonding done:

Drilling to baffle opening:

Cosmetic filler for snorkel:

Cabin heat air inlet:

Checking air filter retainer fit:

Threading baffle connector rods:

These took a significant amount of time (par for the course!):

Helper cat: