Bob_Belville Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 So... new panel complete - check; upholstry, carpet, headliner, interior plasctic redone - check; except for the (almost) out of sight "firewall" surfaces behind the rudder pedals, etc. I wish I'd thought to do this while the entire panel was out, it would have been more accessible. I'm sure Aero Comfort could do a great job and make my cabin more comfortable but what have some of you done? It isn't really an area that I have to look at so functional and ease of fitting in a mean area are the main objectives. I have put 3 pics in a gallery folder but I suspect everyone with an older Mooney knows what I'm talking about. Bob Quote
scottfromiowa Posted February 7, 2013 Report Posted February 7, 2013 Isn't that a special fire resistant material? Quote
Bob_Belville Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Posted February 8, 2013 Scott, what do you know about the spec for the material against the firewall in particular? I replaced all the leather, carpet, and headliner fabric and had the materials flame spread tested. The automotive materials we used all far exceeded the requirements for our horizontal and vertical applications. What seems to have been on the surfaces that I haven't redone yet was thin black insulation, vinyl, and duct tape. The duct tape was probably not original equipment. ;-) Quote
M20F-1968 Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 I used a very thin (about 1/8") dense stick on insulation from Skandia designed as vibration dampening for the firewall . Over it I used nomex felt and flame retardant naugahyde. This was fashioned in pieces so it could be removed if need be. You can call me at (617) 877-0025 or e-mail me at johnabreda@yahoo.com Thanks, John Breda Quote
Bob_Belville Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Posted February 8, 2013 John, thanks, that sounds like a program. I just pulled up Skandia's web site, www.skandiaupholsterysupplies.com/products/AeroDamp.html This aeroDamp looks good. Right stuff? Is the nomex needed? Is the naugahyde (vinyl) useful where the surface is completely out of sight? Quote
N601RX Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 The duct tape in that area is what mooney used to seal the seams in the firewall. If you removed it you will be able to see through the cracks. I replaced it with some fire rated aluminum tape from mcmaster and 3m caulkstrips. I've been looking at redoing the inuslation in that area also, but would like something that is easily removable. I've already replace my jbar boot and pedal boots with boots from aerocomfort. They might be interested in making something that was custom fit for that area. Its not fun trying to reach up in that area, it would be nice to have a scrap firewall to use as a pattern. Quote
Bob_Belville Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Posted February 8, 2013 The duct tape in that area is what Mooney used to seal the seams in the firewall. If you removed it you will be able to see through the cracks.... Its not fun trying to reach up in that area, it would be nice to have a scrap firewall to use as a pattern. Yeah, I have Gorilla taped several holes in those panels from the engine side. With the cowling off, I have enough light coming through to read by while replacing the rudder peddle boots. (At 5'8" and 225 pounds, that was no fun at all.) I think I'll make friends with a skinny guy/gal to clean and cover the firewall. The pressure sensitive Skandia insulation looks easier than dealing with contact adhesive which is where I was headed. Quote
N601RX Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 I would like something that was already shaped to fit the footwells and just attach it with a couple of screws. This is how mooney originally attached it. If you could find a scrap firewall and take to an uphostery shop, they should be able to make something that would fit nicely and then you could just put a couple of screws in it. I'm pretty sure mooney covered the firewall before installing it in the plane. Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 Yea, to do it right, start by pulling the engine... 1 Quote
AmigOne Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 Yes, best done during engine o/h. I just cleaned the old firewall cover best I could and made an overlay with aircraft carpet material. Hides the ugly looking old stuff, no interference with the rudder pedals. Quote
Bob_Belville Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Posted February 8, 2013 Yes, best done during engine o/h. I just cleaned the old firewall cover best I could and made an overlay with aircraft carpet material. Hides the ugly looking old stuff, no interference with the rudder pedals. Did you attach carpet with Velcro? Contact adhesive? Just the carpet against the metal? No insulation for temps or noise? Quote
DaV8or Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 I'd like to change mine out too. Mines a bit of a hazard because it's permanently soaked with brake fluid and oil, so it seems like it woul be pretty flammable. Do people say that the best time to work on this is when the engine's out because of the all the cables, wires and hoses passing through the insulation? If this is the case, then it seems like a solution could be derived that would not need engine removal. Quote
N601RX Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 I'd like to change mine out too. Mines a bit of a hazard because it's permanently soaked with brake fluid and oil, so it seems like it woul be pretty flammable. Do people say that the best time to work on this is when the engine's out because of the all the cables, wires and hoses passing through the insulation? If this is the case, then it seems like a solution could be derived that would not need engine removal. I had the same problem and cut the old oils soaked stuff across the top of the foot wells. I have a new engine, so the oil leaks are gone and have resealed all the cracks. Now I need to find or make something that looks nice and goes up to the top of the footwells. Quote
Bob_Belville Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Posted February 8, 2013 I am hoping that since I've plugged all the holes in the firewall and since the hydraulic fill line is remoted to the front of the FW the inside will stay free of oil and fluids and replacing the crappy stuff will not be a waste of time. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 I just try to "not" look under there where are the wires/rods and "scarey stuff" is Seriously my material presents in decent condition and I have not messed with it. If I did I would wear a mask as it is probably asbestes material and if frangible in a tight cockpit you don't want to be breathing it. The idea of pulling oil/brake soaked material seems like a good one. That has always been something I have had in back of my mind...electric fire...under panel...spreading to blanket...feet frying while trying to fly the airplane and breathe. The oil/fuel lines in cabin are another fun area to think about...or not. Quote
scottfromiowa Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 Scott, what do you know about the spec for the material against the firewall in particular? I replaced all the leather, carpet, and headliner fabric and had the materials flame spread tested. The automotive materials we used all far exceeded the requirements for our horizontal and vertical applications. What seems to have been on the surfaces that I haven't redone yet was thin black insulation, vinyl, and duct tape. The duct tape was probably not original equipment. ;-) Sorry, no clue, but appears to be a fire-resistive material on my plane. Quote
Bob_Belville Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Posted February 8, 2013 The oil/fuel lines in cabin are another fun area to think about...or not. One of the really side nice benefits of upgrading to the JPI EDM 930 as the primary engine interface was the complete removal of oil and fuel lines from the cabin side of the firewall. 1 Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 I beleve the blanket is attached to the firewall before the firewall is installed in the plane. The only correct way to change it would be to remove the firewall. replace the blanket and re-install the firewall. I've never done it but I don't think it would be that hard with the engine off. Has anybody on the forum ever removed a firewall? Quote
KSMooniac Posted February 8, 2013 Report Posted February 8, 2013 I've heard of firewall replacement on Cessnas after "nonstandard" landings but I've never heard of it on a Mooney. I might end up doing it on my salvage J if/when I get around to doing some firewall forward development since I might need a fit/check stand. I think it will be very difficult. Quote
DaV8or Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 I've heard of firewall replacement on Cessnas after "nonstandard" landings but I've never heard of it on a Mooney. I might end up doing it on my salvage J if/when I get around to doing some firewall forward development since I might need a fit/check stand. I think it will be very difficult. It was done on my Mooney back in the early 70's due to a "non standard" landing. Also broke the steel cage and they had to weld it up with the firewall off. Nowadays, they would likely just total the plane. Quote
KSMooniac Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 Wow, that must've been a difficult job! Good thing your plane still had a good hull value relative to the repair costs when that happened... Quote
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