Airforms Baffling

[DuaneShockey]

Has anyone purchased the entire baffling kit from "Airforms Inc" ? Did it allow your cowling to go on without obstruction? Since I just had my O-300 overhauled I spent the $1537. for the new baffles. They are beautiful with the powder coating that was an extra $150. I am having difficulty because the horizontal rounded areas just outboard of the vertical air scoops is too close to the inside of the lower cowling. Airforms does not sell baffling for the 170, only for 170A, and 170B. Since I have a 170A cowling on my plane (it fits just as good as my old 170 cowling) I decided to order the 170A kit. I will be doing some modification to the corners that I speak of by cutting and bending to give better clearance. Wondering if anybody else has experienced what I mention. Duane Shockey

[sfarringer]

I didn't get the whole kit, but I did put those pieces on my '48. I didn't have any fit issues (which surprises me because my luck can be as bad as anyone's).

[counsellj]

Duane, expect to have to trim several pieces. For my case it was both front pierces.

[gfeher]

Duane, about a year and a half ago I installed Airform's full set on my '52 B model (plenum style baffles), and I also needed to do some minor trimming, primarily on the front pieces. Also when all the metal was fitted, I needed to trim the rubber seals to put on the top and bottom cowl sections. I used a Dremel to do the trimming on the sheet metal.

[brian.olson]

I had the entire 170A kit installed on my plane about a year and a half ago; the installation was performed by my maintenance shop. They reported that they had to do a fair amount of fine-tuning / trimming, but the final fit/product is outstanding. Sorry that I can't give you any specific feedback on what was trimmed, and how, but I am impressed with the final product.

[hilltop170]

Duane-
I think I already had this discussion with you but Airforms used my original engine baffles as a pattern for their new parts. They flattened all the pieces to make the patterns so there might be some built-in errors. I was very pleased with the new baffles they made and am still pleased with them.

I got the s/n 1 set of 170A baffles and there were some areas I had to adjust.

I also did not like the way they pre-installed the baffle seal material so I took it all off and made and fitted my own.

You can see in the picture the red baffle seal material is what I used.

170A engine installation