Snorkel Epoxied

I attached a fine grained styrofoam plug between the back of the snorkel inlet and the filtered air box and used a round file to cut a smooth channel between the two. Then I fiberglassed the inside of the channel and inflated a balloon inside to keep its shape. After it dries, I'll reinforce the inside of the snorkel and trim it to fit.

Modified FAB

I decided to modify the filtered air box a little. To get the inlet of the FAB to match the cowl snorkel, I raised the front of the FAB about 1/2 inch. I cut a wedge from each side and then taped it where I wanted it to be. I heated and cooled it several times with the heat gun and then clamped it in place to prep for a fiberglass patch.

FAB

The FAB is the filtered air box. It holds the air filter, carburetor heat and alternate air door and looks like an upside down air cleaner on a car. I'm about half way through constructing it. After it's through, I'll install it on the carburetor and then fabricate a fiberglass extension from the FAB to the back of the lower cowl snorkel.

Intake Air Seal

Here are the intake air seals almost finished. I only need to trim the air seal fabric to fit.

Exhaust Hung

I'm finishing hanging the exhaust. Just the cross strap to attach which is already fitted and built. This is another task that would be easy the second time because understanding what needs doing is the difficult part. The hand drawn instructions were vague at best. I also had to move some electrical to fit the right hanger strap. Below is the easy left side with not much in the way. It's the black hose with two clamps and stainless tubes sticking out both ends.

The top of the hangers attach to sump tank bolts with a tab.

This is the right side showing how crowded it is.

Remaining Inventory

After searching for the little aluminum tube for the fuel pump overflow line, I decided to do an inventory of what's left to build. I'm making ZERO promises on when I'll be done but the pile was surprisingly small. The box in the picture has three cardboard boxes inside. Two boxes have parts that are completed and just need to be reinstalled. The small box in the upper right contains things left to build. There are some other things that aren't in the box that I'll need to complete before flying like brake lines and a few more. The empennage fairing and wingtips are fitted but need finishing. There's some interior trim and the seatbelts that need fitting. I also have to label the panel but the list is getting small. I'm not sure if I'll fit and install the wheel pants and gear leg fairings before flying as they're not recommended during engine break-in.

Fuel Pump Overflow Line

I installed the fuel pump overflow line this weekend. The hardest part was finding the little aluminum tube. Here's where it exits out the bottom of the fuselage.

This is where any overflow would exit the fuel pump.

Homemade Tow Bar

Here's my homemade tow bar. I used it to move the airplane over to let Paula park in the garage. It's not pretty and made from an old crutch with bushings welded to scrap metal but works just fine.

Finished Engine Wiring

I wrapped up the engine wiring last night. I do have some very minor things left like sealing the firewall penetrations but I'd put the wiring part at 99% done. It was a more difficult job than I expected. Next time will be ten times faster as now I know the how and where part of the job. On the right side I used the black "snakeskin" wrap for chafe protection of wires.

On the left side I used white spiral wrap. I've seen both used on many aircraft and I'll see which one I like better after some use. I also spent a couple of hours inside under the panel finishing the connections from the engine and securing wires.

Wings Moved To Hanger

Austin came home and helped me move the wings to the hanger in San Marcos. They look kind of lonely in the corner. Jack was nice enough to let me squeeze in with "Tweety Bird".

Paula's happy to have her car in the garage now that there's extra room.