Cowl Pins
I wanted to bend a simple loop in the cowl pins to use as a handle. I tried several ways of doing it - all of them failed until this one. That's a ratchet with a 11mm socket, 3/8" extension put backwards into the socket, and the pin captured in the keeper hole of the extension. I rolled the pin around the extension without heating it. It turned out great!
After cut off of the socket, it looks like this.
Here is a view after installation.
The guide tube a stainless steel, from McMaster-Carr. The ID just a couple thousandths greater than the pin. It goes through the gear box, and then the forward baggage compartment. It's glued in place with GOOP.
The guide tube goes through the firewall, aligning with the aft-most eye on the lower cowl hinge.
A forward stop or anchor is not needed. I check the pins as part of my pre-takeoff checklist: CANOPY-COWLING-CONTROLS-INSTRUMENTS-GAS ATTITUDE-RADIOS-SAFETY BOOST-LIGHTS-TRANSPONDER (CCCIGARS BLT). I like this set-up and plan to do the same on the RV-7.
Larry I see you installed the van's supplied hinge pins. Any thoughts on cloc fastners instead. I am contemplating them.
I used the hinge pins on the lower cowl and the horizontal seem. I used Skybolt camlocs on the top cowl at the firewall. They are OK. Expensive though.