Avionics

Common Fuselage Harness  ( 3 hrs )

Started installation of WH00125 Right Common Fuselage Harness per Sect 55.   Vans provides no step by step instructions, only diagrams with general routing, snap bushings callouts, and a few details.  I've reviewed other RV-14 builder logs searching for insights -which has helped.  Many locations are very tight -- getting control stick wires/connector through tunnel side and ribs seems impossible.  I'm going to have to talk to Vans prod support for tips !   Also discovered I need to detach elevator pushrod at bellcrank behind Flap support in order to pass connector rearward.  Another aaarrrggghhh...   Installing headphone & mike jacks stumped me concerning how to use stack of washers provided.  Discovered Stein Air has this video on wiring these jacks, and end describes correct way to insure no metal contact (he notes 70% install incorrectly...leading to electrical ground loops = radio interference).   Needed to enlarge forward hole to 7/16" to insure the plastic washer with shoulder fit properly !   Also found this video explaining how to avoid electrical ground loops.

1 of 2 WH00125 harnesses purchased from Stein Air

 

routed wiring to Right wing and headphone/mike location
Not done with main line fore and aft...

under the right seat area toward wing

headphone and mike jacks installed

right Wing wiring "ready"

Yes...headphone connected..

Firewall Forward Kit

Completed Oil Cooler Install, Sniffle Tubes,  Cooling Blast Tubes, Routed Spark Plug Wires ( 4 hrs )

Completed torquing Oil Cooler hose fittings, since new 7/8" crowfoot arrived.  Needed variety extensions & U-joint due to tight, awkward locations between engine and firewall.  Installed 4" SCAT tube for Oil Cooler per 49-15, Steps 2-5.  Sweet!   Final torqued fittings on MAP hose and sensor with final routing adjacent to 4" SCAT.  Cut Cooling Blast Tubes to 9" lengths, installed at Baffles per Steps 2 & 3, Sect 47-24.  Wait to secure after other routings done.  Completed preliminary routing Slick Magneto plug wires to T2 and T4 (top cyl's 2 & 4), and PMAG wires to T1 & T3 (top cyl's 1 & 3) through Baffle Back Plates per 47-24.  Built Sniffle Tube & Hose Assly per Steps 1-4, Sect 49-17.  Interesting technique to first flare alum tube end, then grind down to provide bead to retain hoses.

challenging to access AN8 fittings on Oil Cooler hose 

4' SCAT tube installed. 
Torqued fittings on MAP line with T to PMAG.

PMag top plug wires routed through Baffle plate. 
Cooling Blast tubes (black) installed (not retained yet)

Slick Magneto plug wires to Cyl #2 & #4 routed.

created Sniffle tube...install after exhaust added...

Firewall Forward Kit

Cooler Tray installed ( 3 hrs )

Installed the Oil Cooler Tray to the Firewall and Engine Mount following Steps 3-6 at 49-08, including adding actual Oil Cooler and Inlet Assembly.  Connected hoses to Cooler per 49-13 -- but waiting delivery of  7/8" crowfoot to apply final torque.   Started build of 4" SCAT duct per Sect 49-15, Steps 1 & 2.   Letting hi-temp RTV cure before assembly to Cooler.

Tray bolted in place

checking alignment of Cooler

Tah Dah !   Sealed remaining gaps, too.

from opposite side through maze of hoses,
engine mount.  Not final torqued...yet.

good clearance around hoses...although pic
doesn't show well

 

4" SCAT cut to length, applied RTV along entire length for "stability"

Firewall Forward Kit

RTV at Baffles, Oil Cooler  ( 3 hrs )

Finished applying Hi-Temp RTV to baffles.  Replaced "gage port" on Fuel Spider per Steps 1 & 2 at Sect 51-06.  Installed oil hoses VA-190 per Steps 1-3 at 49-10, and FF00020 per 49-13 while more accessible prior to mounting oil cooler. But... need 7/8" crow foot to torque these size 8 AN fittings.  Completed Step 1 at 49-07 installing (2) 8D fittings on Oil Cooler at specified angles [ Vans confirmed OK to use provided Alum fittings, although manuf'er recommends steel fittings to avoid chance of galling].   Added (2) P-seals to Cooler per Steps 2-5 at 49-07 using clear silicone (per instructions).

filling small gaps with hi-temp RTV.

 

Oil cooler hoses mounted to engine...

replaced "gage port" with plug

AN8D fittings installed, clocked to specific angles

P-seals added with clear silicone.

Firewall Forward Kit

 RTV sealant on Baffles.  Oil Temp Sensor moved ( 3 hrs )

Applied Hi-Temp RTV at Engine to Baffle small gaps per Sect 47-24, Step 4.  Van's Eric Rushing (Prod Supp) confirmed error in instructions at Sect 43-05 for Garmin Oil Temp Sensor.   I discovered different location shown in Sect 51-06, which is closer to the oil filter.   Apparently Vans has been aware of error, but hasn't yet issued revision.   Aaaargggghhh !     Of course I followed instructions in Sect 43, when I had easy access to back of engine prior to installation.   To relocate, required removal of Breather tube, and re-do of safety wires.   Apology from Vans accepted...kind of.  Aaaarrrrgh.....

pic of original location.  investigating what to do with red plug 
led to discovery Vans has error in Sect 43-05.

after moving Oil Temp Sensor to correct location (Sect 51-06), 
and re-installing plug with safety wire.  Safety wire not required 
per Vans, but Sensor has provision, so I installed.   Would have
been whole lot easier if Vans had instructions correct !

red hi-temp RTV sealant applied

Firewall Forward Kit

Oil Cooler, etc ( 2 hrs )

Riveted nutplates to Oil Cooler Tray and Supports (Steps 1-2 at Sect 49-08).  Riveted Duct Flange to Oil Cooler Sides, then sealed at 8 spots with hi-temp RTV per Steps 4-6 at 49-06.   Installed VA 119 Hose between engine and VA 168 Transducer Manifold per 49-11, Steps 1-3.   Need to contact Vans Tech Support to clarify OK to use aluminum AN fittings supplied vs Airflow instructions to use only steel fitting to avoid galling  (ref. pic of instructions).  [ note from future:  Vans OK'd using Alum fittings in Cooler on April 23 ]

temp tape with RTV applied inside to seal corners

tah dah !

torq wrench w/ extensions to reach fitting with 9/16" crowfoot
(other wrench on fitting to counter)

Part No 2006X; Serial No A17-14108-11 (reference if needed)

Airflow instructions state steel fittings ONLY vs
Vans supplied alum...???    pending check with Vans Support

Firewall Forward Kit

Breather Tube, Painted Oil Cooler Tray ( 3 hrs )

Installed Breather Tube per Steps 5-7 at 49-02.  Reaching the two AN525-10R8 screws to tighten was challenging.  Tried several tools, finally 1/4" drive w/ Bosch phillips head driver (type with grooves to prevent slip out) with ratchet wrench/extensions worked.  Yah!   Primed Oil Cooler inlet assembly parts w/ Rustoleum Hi-Temp Primer (good to 2000 deg!) followed by Rustoleum Engine Enamel (good to 500 deg).   Also installed Firewall to Fuel Pump fuel line #VA-139.

Firewall Forward Kit

Oil Cooler Tray, Breather tube, and Instrument Panel partially built  ( 2 hrs )

Finished prep of Oil Cooler Tray, etc - but need warmer weather to prime and paint outside (just bought Hi Temp spray paint).  Worked on Sect 49-02 Steps 2-5 Breather Tube.  Stein Air sent pics of partially completed Panel, just painted (semi-gloss "Onyx Black", Glidden color match I specified).  Will be engraved next with "white" lettering.

Painted "onyx black"  semi-gloss via Stein Air.
Panel looks dusty in pic, but cover for Map Box looks fine

shows map box

Firewall Forward Kit

Alt Air Inlet and Oil Cooler Tray ( 3 hrs )

Match drilled six #40 holes, dimpled the 2 forward locations, then riveted Right Air Ramp Cone per Steps 10-14, Sect 47-21. Next, installed nutplate for Air Filter Cover per Steps 9-14, Sect 47-22.  Done with Snorkel, except left plastic tape over inlet at Fuel Servo for now, w/ note hanging below as reminder to remove.  Started building Oil Cooler Tray per Sect 49-06, Steps 2-7 by deburring holes and edges.

perfect fit of Cover retaining K&N Air Filter.

 

not shown, also cut 4 tubes to 3.5" for spacers

Firewall Forward Kit

Completion of Alt Air Inlet/Door, and Air Ramps  ( 4 hrs )

Completed Alt Air Inlet and Door per Steps 7-16, Sect 47-20.  Epoxy/flox set up well.   Seems unnecessary to also rivet, but really secure now.   Installed onto Engine, then proceeded to Steps 1-10 at Sect 47-21 bending Right Air Ramp Cone, and Steps 1-8, 47-22 for Air Filter Cover w/ integral Air Ramp Cone.   Instructions and templates made these steps easy.   I substituted double sided tape for the spray on adhesive.

"tah dah ! "

Right Air Ramp Cone fits well.

2/3 done step forming Cover Air Ramp

Pleased with fit.