Purpose of Cowl Bumps

[mike92104]

From Wikipedia:

"The design was originally intended to use a new radial engine then in development and the early Kitfoxes had round cowls with bumps to accommodate the cylinder heads. Although this radial engine did not materialize, and a Rotaxtwo-stroke engine was adapted instead, the "retro" radial cowling proved popular and was retained on many models."

Mike

[avidflyer]

Wikipedia doesn't mention it, but the very first Kitfox 1s had a traditional looking cowl. My serial # 11 kit came with it. It actually was a nice looking cowl. Here is a picture of one, but not mine. JImChuk

[Av8r3400]

Jim - That cowl is almost a carbon copy of the Model C/Mark 4 Avid "cheek radiator" cowl, isn't it?

[avidflyer]

No, they aren't the same. Wonder if some other kit used this Kitfox cowl? My serial # 11 Kitfox cowl came from Kitfox, it was listed in the parts list. Also, I've seen several other early Kitfox 1s with the same cowl. Here is a picture of an Avid MK IV cowl. JImChuk

PS Hope the Idaho trip was a good time, been waiting to hear more about it.

[avidflyer]

I found a picture of my actual Kitfox cowl, it's been modified near the back end to fit a Jabiru engine, but this is the one that came with serial # 11. JImChuk

[neville]

I installed them with a 912iS because the right hand fuel rail is about 3/8 inch from the upper cowl half. So the "bump" was positioned to provide more clearance. Of course the left one was positioned to match but serves no useful purpose.

[JoeRuscito]

I installed them with a 912iS because the right hand fuel rail is about 3/8 inch from the upper cowl half. So the "bump" was positioned to provide more clearance. Of course the left one was positioned to match but serves no useful purpose.

My right side is also closer, in addition my cowl settled about 1/8 to the left... so it looks like I will be installing cowl bumps!