Split cowling help

[Bryan Cotton]

I checked out Ken Irwin's Sonex here at C77 and he was able to pull and install the cowl quickly. He took it off for me to check out his engine.

[mike.smith]

I take issue with that. I can remove half a cowl on one of our airplanes in about 30 seconds. Definitely less than one minute. And I never have to ask for help in removing or installing our cowl. If the cowl is properly fitted, there's no problem removing or installing it by yourself.

Yup, and at our annual Northeast Sonex flyin, it's the stock vertical split cowl that often gets removed. It's pretty simple. I've gotten pretty good at removing and installing the lower cowl on my horizontal split by myself, but it took a bit of time to get the technique. It's a big piece of fiberglass.

[DCASonex]

Joe, My time estimates included walking the parts one at a time, over to lean against hangar wall.

David A.

[Rynoth]

I guess this would be an appropriate forum to repost Jeff Schultz' video on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDlpl5D755M

[Bryan Cotton]

2.5 minutes to come off, 4 minutes to go back on. No swear words.

[rizzz]

I guess this would be an appropriate forum to repost Jeff Schultz' video on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDlpl5D755M

Yep, that's how easy it's supposed to be, mine isn't like that at all.
The bottom pin gives me the most grief. The last 6" or so are a nightmare to get in, vice grips are required.

It is worth noting though that this is not Jeff's first Sonex, I assume you get better at building these with practice.
Also, Jeff did not entirely follow the plans here, he has made the bottom hinge a bit shorter and installed some extra southco's instead.

Knowing what I know now, I'd probably do the same if I were to do it again.
I guess I could still modify mine now but at this stage I'm over building and I just want to get flying. Perhaps I'll get back to improving stuff later on.

[kmacht]

Vans aircraft sells a slightly undersized hinge pin. I use them in the side of my cowl. It is tight enough to hold everything in place like it should but loose enough to make installation a lot easier. I'm not sure of the part number off the top of my head but if you search their online parts store you should be able to find it easily.

Keith
#554

[rizzz]

Great, I'll have a look.
Thanks Keith.

[sonex892]

Looking at Jeffs video he is not even trying to rush. After working out what sequence works for yourself it should only take about that long.

He has a good point with shortening the long bottom pin. It would definitely be an improvement. Mine is standard and goes in from the top, for the last couple of inches I use pliers for the final push home. Can be done barehanded if needed, but using pliers is easier.

The more times you remove the cowl the easier it gets.

[Bryan Cotton]

Holy Cowl! I see Sonex has switched to a horizontal split cowl. I think I will stay retro vertical split.