First, Build a Shed

[efwd]

You know what Carl? I think you have officially closed the 6 month lead I had on you when you started. Im nearing completion of the panel wires and your real close to having that engine install finished.

[Cherrybark]

It will be great to finish this stage but there is a long list making up the last 10% including little projects, like the lenses for the wing tip lights, that are going to take a lot of time. Sometime in Spring if I keep chugging along.

Along with the boot cowl, I wanted there firewall end plates to be removable for access to the brake cylinders and tubing. Should a sealant be used here or does that create too much of a permanent bond?

[PapuaPilot]

I would say that is up to you to decide. Sealant would be nice and it would be very rare that you would need to open the end plates. The sealant could be cut using a utility knife or by pulling some safety wire through it.

What sealant are you using? I used the 3M Fire Barrier 2000+ on my firewall seams. I put a bead on all of them before riveting them together.

[David47]

Why not a form in place seal, with a release agent on one side ....

[Cherrybark]

Sealing a firewall is new to me and I'm not familiar with any products or methods. Point taken that there won't be that many occasions that access is needed to the back of the rudder pedals.

The boot cowl has only been temporarily mounted to mark the trim line. Seems like there should be a seal where the cowl mates against the firewall but I don't remember seeing anything in the manual. Not sure how to have it sealed yet removable. I'll do a little searching on the forum.

The 3M Fire Barrier 2000+ stays flexible and is single component. Has the advantage of being readily available.

David, can you give me a product suggestion or explain more on how to form a gasket with a release agent?

[efwd]

Hey Carl, John M told me once that I could apply wax to the under side of the cowls where they touch the firewall. Use a sealer compound of your liking. When you pull it off in the future the waxed surface will release the sealant from the fiberglass easily. Of course then you have to spend a bit of time getting the sealer off the firewall. That is certainly nothing new. I have spent many of hours doing just that on helicopter engine decks.

[Cherrybark]

Ah, now I understand David's "release agent". Thanks for the tip Eddie.