Under the Cowl

[Hank]

All the talk about cowl modifications and upgrades reminds me: my A&P/IA and I had to make some repairs to my poor doghouse. One side has a crack that's been stop-drilled but is continuing to grow. The other side had worn enough that it would not engage as the center piece that went into the slot on the spark plug cover had worn off. Forty years of remove & replace had taken its toll. The double-edge on the removable piece is worn badly but still engages.

It is serviceably repaired now. We cut off the ragged edge of the non-removable center section, screwed an extension onto the back side of the spark plug cover using the original mounting holes, and made new mounting holes. Total parts increase of a half-dozen screws.

Don't I remember an STC to remove the doghouse from my O-360 and replace it with new baffles? Is it still available, and where? Sure would be nice to get rid of my not-so-nice doghouse . . . Won't have to worry anymore about doing the next restoration, or what to do if it's not so easily fixable.

[tomn]

I ended up replacing mine with a entire new assembly from Air Forms in Alaska. It works great but took a long time to install due to changes made from engine swap etc. Vibration had taken its toll on mine with cracks etc. It looks great but removing it all together would have been a good option.

Tom

[triple8s]

FYI Tom and I are hangar mates and I must say although his "E" is an excellent specimen overall, the FWF is absolutely gorgeous.

[orionflt]

I just redid my doghouse, I am lucky that a friend of mine owns a machine shop and the welder that works for him is a genius with metal. He fixed holes, cracks and added metal that had worn away, then we powder coated everything. It was like having a new doghouse with out having to refit everything. I do not envy tom doing the complete replacement.

[Alan Fox]

When I had my B I remember making a lot of replacement parts for the doghouse , pretty simple stuff ....

[Andy95W]

There may be an STC to allow removal of the doghouse, but will probably be part of a larger cowling swap.

IMO, you should keep the doghouse and accept that it will require occasional (maybe every 3-5 years) sheet metal repairs. It is very capable of keeping your engine temps (CHT's) cool and is about as maintenance free as rubber baffling.

Any decent mechanic can do these sheet metal repairs. Since none of it is cosmetic, it usually goes pretty quickly. It is also a good place to learn about sheet metal repairs yourself if you so desired.

Good luck!

[Hank]

In a former life, I was a machinist, and have done much metal working, just no sheet metal. It's different than solid stock. Guess I'll just keep patching and repairing as I go. Hopefully OH is still in the distant future [now at ~645 SMOH].

[carusoam]

Isn't there an R in your future.....

-a-

[Hank]

With any luck, Anthony. But right now I'm looking at a job change and probable relocation; that has priority over new(er) wings. Both would be nice, though. At least I will be able to commute back and forth in a Mooney instead of my Rangerette.

[carusoam]

Let me know if you want my help with the negotiations!!!

You can come out with the NJ Mooney pilots!

Best regards,

-a-