Avionics and Firewall Forward Kit

Magnetometer connector and Engine fittings ( 1 hr )

Inserted 9 pins for wiring harness for CPC connector for GMU22 Magnetometer per Sect 62-02, Step 6 (rec'd connector from Stein Air...missed in earlier shipment of sensors, etc.  ref Avionics Jan 25 entry).  Added RC-1 CAP Tach Drive Cap per Sect 43-05, Step 7, and added plastic drain line FF00013 per Step 4 at back of engine driven fuel pump.  [ Note from the future:  will discover on April 23 that the Garmin Oil Temp Sensor is installed in wrong location as shown below in pic.  Vans incorrectly shows this location in Sect 43-05, Fig 1.  However, later Sect 51-06 correctly shows in place of red plastic cover closer to oil filter.  Vans confirmed error on April 23.  I exchanged locations and installed the original plug from Lycoming in place of where I originally installed sensor.  See last pic showing RC-1 Cap below for incorrect location ]

 

RC-1 CAP in center of pic

plastic drain line in center of pic

Engine

Cotter Pins, etc ( 1 hr )

Added cotter pins to 4 castle nuts on engine mount bolts.  The one at bottom mount under LH rear cylinder is tough to reach (see pics).   Installed Oil Filler/Level Tube with safety wire.

getting this cotter pin on was challenging...deep recess

long needle nose, long screwdriver used to insert and bend ends

safety wire on Oil Dipstick tube. 
close to engine mount, but clears 3/8"

easy access to this cotter pin

Engine

Engine Mounted ( 4 hrs )

Completed Sect 43-05 & -06 for fluid fittings, sensors on rear of engine. (did need to go to local store to purchase 13/16 deep socket, and 1" socket)  Added the silicone hose to PMAG for the MAP connection.  Mounted to firewall - carefully following instructions at 43-08 to insure "soft" vs "hard" durometer Dynafocal mounts were correctly positioned on top vs bottom (reversed).  Contacted Vans tech support, and Eric Rushing confirmed the "EA Dyna VI - Std"  are the correct rubber mounts, even though Vans instructions call out different part numbers.  Using the Harbor Freight engine hoist worked out really well.  Eric mentioned typically builders need a couple helpers to wrangle the engine into the mount locations.  I started with top 2 mounts, aud used hoist to re-position engine until bottom mounts aligned.  I don't need the sawhorse holding up aft fuselage -- plenty of noseweight !   I've been told engine needs to compress rubber mounts up to 2 months before aligning cowling,...so let the compression begin!

 

glad able to add fluid fittings prior to mounting
since some would be challenging to do after

Engine

Lycoming IO-390 delivery ( 3 hrs )

Big Day !   Engine delivered via UPS.  Pleased "crate" was in great shape (clean, no marks or punctures).  Tip N Tell indicated always upright too.  Unpacking was easy, but took some maneuvering to enable lifting with my hoist.   Started adding fluid fittings, ground strap, etc per Vans instructions in Sect 43-05 and -06.  Especially on rear of engine, easier now than after mounted.

after unpacking, needed to switch ends of shop

Tilt N Tell on right area...A OK.

Engine number EL-691-80E

standard Magneto..

and one EMAG's  PMAG

Engine Logbook, misc loose parts

Avionics

AutoPilot Pitch Servo Installed ( 3 hrs )

Deburred, primed & finish painted (Rust-oleum High Perf Enamel Stainless Steel) Battery Box Angle and Prop Gov Bracket Assembly.  With great help from Nancy (to twist and turn my 6'4" frame into baggage area), I installed the AP Pitch Servo per Sect 56-03 & -04.  Really pleased that chore is done!

ready for later

Pitch Servo is mounted.  Torque seal applied.  Decided I'll add
another nylon tie to loop of wires to insure further away
from rudder cable...although 1 inch clearance already.

smooth through full range of travel

ready to add Common Fuselage Harnesses
 (WH00125) from here forward

Avionics

MAP hose assembly ( 1 hr )

Installed MAP line purchased from Aircraft Speciality.  Includes 2 Tee's to route lines to single PMAG as well as between engine and MAP sensor.  This is a "test" fit for this supplier, as they already have a version for two PMAG equipped RV14a's...so this is their first version for a single PMAG.  I'm documenting fit, etc for them.

test fit of MAP hose package

still need line from "nipple" to back of PMAG
once engine installed...

Avionics

Magnetometer installed ( 2 hrs )

Completed assembly of GMU22 Magnetometer, then installed into Left Wing.  Discovered need "CPC" connector to complete wiring hook ups.  Emailed both Eric Rushing at Vans, and Nick Millard at Stein Air.   Nick responded noting he'd forgot to include CPC connector along with GMU22 (he already had mailed Mount Ring last week).  Eric provided some guidance on diagrams with codes showing which wires connect to which pins.  (ref  WH00125 Fuselage Common Harness, under Left Wing details).  Nick also emailed simple diagram showing wire code for connections.    Added more hi-temp RTV to heat vents.

Assembled with Mount Ring

need matching CPC connector !

9 wires to connect to CPC round connector....

 

Step 6:  need CPC connector, but install kit bags are empty

completely sealed with hi-temp RTV