How much of a pain in the a$s is it to remove the boot cowl before painting? Is there much more than removing screws to get it off or does it require trigonometry or some other form of pain?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Removing Boot Cowl?
- Thread starter Bartman
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Clifford Daly
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It’s not as bad as I thought. It’s all the little screws around the firewall, the ones on the side of the fuselage, the main bolts on the bottom and then it pushes forward slightly before coming completely loose. Two people is definitely better because it’s large and awkward.
That last post I made about the windshield though, I don’t know if it can come out as one, but I took mine out before removing the cowling.
That last post I made about the windshield though, I don’t know if it can come out as one, but I took mine out before removing the cowling.
Similar question. The foam backed fabric liner on my boot cowl and firewall needs replacing. Adhesive is failing, fabric sagging, and foam crumbling. Accessing it from the inside seems like a circus act. Can the boot cowl be easily pulled off without disturbing fabric and windshield?
Bob Turner
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Ed - I have never disassembled an ACA product, so take this with a grain of salt - or a huge Margarita!
To get the boot cowl off, you of course need to remove the engine. That is not a huge deal, but it is probably way, way harder than hiring a small person to simply go in there.
Pretty sure you have to remove the windshield. In most models of the Dec, that apparently requires removing the wings!
Try this: open up the bottom. Remove the front seat and the floorboards (easy; I just did it this year). Get a creepy crawley with a back support, and do it from underneath. Carefully rebuild your master cylinders while you are at it.
Really easy to get to the sides of the boot cowl that way, too.
To get the boot cowl off, you of course need to remove the engine. That is not a huge deal, but it is probably way, way harder than hiring a small person to simply go in there.
Pretty sure you have to remove the windshield. In most models of the Dec, that apparently requires removing the wings!
Try this: open up the bottom. Remove the front seat and the floorboards (easy; I just did it this year). Get a creepy crawley with a back support, and do it from underneath. Carefully rebuild your master cylinders while you are at it.
Really easy to get to the sides of the boot cowl that way, too.
Dunno because I have not done it, but from the photos I saw, engine and windshield removal is not necessary. Boot cowl fastens to firewall flanges and fuselage frame with screws. Trim piece riveted to boot cowl covers windscreen gap.
Bob Turner
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Well, then, if you can do the firewall without removing the engine, then the rest is easy without removing the boot cowl. I did it this year - scraped all that crap out of there using solvent and a plastic scraper. Just take the floorboards and lower pan out.
Consider Tinnerman nuts and sheet metal screws when replacing the floorboards. Lots easier . . .
Consider Tinnerman nuts and sheet metal screws when replacing the floorboards. Lots easier . . .
old thread, from 2020!
Is there any requirement to replace the firewall and boot cowl liner/insulation after it's crumbled to nothing and you have no choice but to cut it all out and vacuum up the mess? Headsets being what they are, I can live without the liner in there.
Thanks!
Is there any requirement to replace the firewall and boot cowl liner/insulation after it's crumbled to nothing and you have no choice but to cut it all out and vacuum up the mess? Headsets being what they are, I can live without the liner in there.
Thanks!
Sully
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I wouldn't think so. I see no mention of the insulation being required.
Of course ACA could provide an answer.
Of course ACA could provide an answer.
Bob Turner
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Dunno, but I have been flying without it for years.
Thanks! It's a mess with the foam gone and what's left just hanging amongst the cables and stuff under there. I'll cut it out, clean it up and carry on.