53 Cowl doors

[170C]

Good information Jim and a really nice job! Can't see from your photos any need to redo your door. However, if you find you are going to do so feel free to send me your first rebuild (minus latches). I think it would work wonders on 888A.
I know you will want to paint your cowl door to match that nice cowling, but that light shade of green might make your plane go a bit faster
Frank

[GAHorn]

Good information Jim and a really nice job! Can't see from your photos any need to redo your door. However, if you find you are going to do so feel free to send me your first rebuild (minus latches). I think it would work wonders on 888A.
I know you will want to paint your cowl door to match that nice cowling, but that light shade of green might make your plane go a bit faster
Frank

Probably made him think the left wing was heavy and the P-factor increased.

[170C]

Hard to get any respect around George

[lowNslow]

Ordered some new H5000 - .064 latches and received them today and they look great. $12.00 each.
https://vod.ebay.com/vod/FetchOrderDeta ... noapp=true

[ron74887]

Just a note: what I did was drill a hole at the top center of the door and add a screw plate under the cowling. you have to remove the screw to open the door but it will not open in flight or allow a lot of movement. Ron

[jwlynnav]

My pilot side door is doing same thing. It’s about to break the small piece of metal on aft latch as as the one in the pic that Jim repaired. I’m not handy as he (Jim) is working metal nor do I have the tools. Is there any repair advice?
Thanks

[c170b53]

Missing the small piece over the tongue of the latch wouldn’t make me worry. If the door is a loose fit then a crack may develop as was the case for my pilots side door near the latch. I’d just try to delay further damage by using silicon where the latches contact the cowl to reduce vibration damage.

[DaveF]

I've seen new doors fabricated without the troublesome little strip. Doesn't look as good as the original, but it works.

[jwlynnav]

Thanks I appreciate the response

[DaveF]

The small cotter pin prevents the latch from opening too far and breaking the little strip.

[DaveF]

Here’s my new door. I still have some trimming and bending to make it fit just right.

[c170b53]

Nice Dave,
As they say its easier to take the metal off than put it back on. Perfect with these doors can take some time.

[DaveF]

Not as nice as yours, Jim, but I’m reasonably satisfied. Took three attempts to get it right, or at least acceptable.

[DaveF]

Door number two!

[c170b53]

I’d say better, nice work on the latch cut-outs.