Aux Air Door/Baffle Ramp Cones/Baffle Seals
Haven't posted lately because nothing dramatic has happened. But have been busy in the shop over the past couple of weeks. After getting the induction snorkel fitted, I cut out the opening for the aux air door, floxxed in the mounting flange and got the door on. It's actuated with a push/pull cable and only opened in the event the air filter got clogged with ice. I'm using Aircraft Specialties door because I like their method of attaching the actuating cable better than the stock method. Then it was bending and installing the baffle ramp cone and air filter retainer. Templates are glued to the metal and then its clamped and reclamped in a vice and bends made along the lines until the final shape is achieved. I made a couple practice test pieces first. Glad I did because I mangled them both but learned enough that the flight articles came out pretty good. I then got the rubber baffles seal riveted on. Vans sent me incorrect rivets for this so it waited while I procured the appropriate type. The seals press against the inside upper cowling to form an airtight compartment that forces induction air around the cylinders and down for more efficient cooling. I need to take hi temp RTV and seal all gaps around the metal baffles where they meet the engine to minimize air leakage.

Rough cut on the side of the induction snorkel for the aux air door.

Baffle cone with the bending template glued to it, clamped in a vice for bending.

Aux air door flange being bonded in with flox.

The right baffle cone riveted in place.

Aircraft Specialties aux air door in place.

Air filter retainer with its template defined curve in place.

Riveting in the rubber baffle seals.

All baffle seals in place.
This post is from Scott's RV-14 Build