The instructions for installing the exhaust pipe are only three steps on one sheet, but the task took me a solid 4 hours to complete because I was trying to be careful. The installation of swept tail pipe requires removal of the stock straight pipe, which is welded in...

Over the last few weeks I’ve been splitting time between avionics and engine plumbing while I wait for some hardware to arrive. There are quite a few remote avionics boxes to mount, and I quickly determined I needed to create a few brackets to make more space. I am...

Last night’s task was installing the air filter assembly. I had to make a few modification when fitting the two manifold absolute pressure sensors to the filter housing:...

I completed most of the engine oil lines in early November but when I started to build the oil radiator supply line I discovered that the fittings I had for the oil tank and for the oil pump were the wrong size. A visit to the illustrated parts manual...

I built up the oil hoses that connect between the engine oil returns and the oil tank. Per the build manual, these hoses are to be covered with a heat shield, and then secured with lock wire. I briefly talked about the heat shield with Shawn during a recent...

For the first major task following mounting of the engine, I began installation of the fuel lines. I thought this would be pretty easy, but it took two full days and I learned a few things. At first I was going to use aluminum tubing, much like I did...

I consider this a big milestone, but it wound up being pretty easy to mount the engine. The engine is attached with just four rather large M10 bolts. I purchased a second-hand Harbor Freight engine crane for $100, and a new load leveler bar for $40. Not too bad,...

About two years ago I discovered one of the brake linings arrived from the factory damaged (see this post). At some point I ordered a set of replacement pads plus a tool to install it, but just never got around to doing the repair. Before hanging the heavy engine...

I wrapped up a productive weekend with attachment of the major engine accessories to the firewall: oil reservoir, voltage regulator, main battery, fusebox, shunt, fuel pump assembly, gascolator, and fuel lines. This work is much easier to do before the engine is attached. I am placing a DC contactor...

The canopy installation took about 5 hours to complete, and it was a bit messy. I had flashbacks to building the fuel tanks, with sticky black goop (Sikaflex 295UV) going everywhere, and harsh chemicals (acetone) needed to clean up. I may have applied too much Sikaflex, because it was...