Skybolt fasteners

[Guest]

Just got the skybolt fasteners for the upper cowl. I like them. If you get the kit and have an early m20j like me you need two less number 6 fasteners and 4 more size 5s. 

[Z W]

Looks good.

My cowl required a whole bunch of different length fasteners to fit right.  Most were 5's but quite a few 4's and 6's.  Seems to be a lot of variation in our hand-built machines after a few decades of wear, tear, and repairs.  I ordered extras of every length from Skybolt and now have spares in the hangar for when one goes missing.

[Fly Boomer]

17 hours ago, Kerrville said:

Just got the skybolt fasteners for the upper cowl

Looks nice and clean.  Can you share the model number and part numbers?

[Guest]

Just the kit from skybolt for a 1978 m20j. If yours is like mine you will need a couple less 6s and 4 more number 5s of the 2000 series fasteners in the kit. They seem to have a much better bearing surface than the ones I got from spruce. 

[PT20J]

The original fasteners are Camloc 2700 (small) and 4002 (large). Often, if you want the best fit, you have to try different lengths in different holes because the cowlings vary slightly in thickness. Camlocs are available in Cad plated steel or stainless steel. Skybolt makes identical parts in stainless and Skytanium (lightweight). The flange on the 2700 studs is 0.390" diameter. It works fine if the holes in the cowling are not augured out. Skybolt also makes a 2800 stud that has a 0.500" flange - not as finished looking but saves you if you have enlarged holes. (If you use the 2800 with a standard hole, you might have to ream it to 0.310 to get the flange to lay flat). The studs are all available in slot or Phillips head. Phillips is less likely to have a screwdriver slip and scratch the paint. Slot makes it easy to check alignment of the heads during preflight to make sure all are fully seated.

[PT20J]

One more thing. The 2700/2800 studs can be used with two types of retainer washers. The star washer holds the stud firmly against the panel -- it's the type used on the tail cone access panel. The cowling uses the split washer that allows the studs to be pulled away from the sockets. Some people prefer not using any washers so that the studs can be removed like screws making the upper cowling easier to remove and install.

The smaller studs can be installed without special tools but it is difficult to install the larger 4002 studs without a special pliers made for that purpose. Get one -- it's inexpensive and makes the job easy and avoids risk of slipping with makeshift tools and damaging the paint.

[Healthpilot]

Do you guys know what size camlocs are needed for M20R by any chance? Cowling and air inlet two different sizes. 

[PT20J]

19 minutes ago, Healthpilot said:

Do you guys know what size camlocs are needed for M20R by any chance? Cowling and air inlet two different sizes. 

They are in the IPC. Air intake is 2700, cowling uses 4002. Look on the heads of the existing camlocs for the little number which specifies the length. Length can vary from IPC due to variation in thickness of the cowling.