firewall seal

[Eric]

Hello

how did You guys make the seal between the firewall and the fiberglass front parts. I had a aluminium firewall with a kind of foam around it.
I have made a new firewall from stainless steel but i would like to know what to use to seal the firewall from the fiberglass parts.
I think foam wouldt melt very quick in case of fire isn't it ?
Thank You


Eric

[Dorsal]

I used high temp RTV

[HighWing]

I used foam. My thinking was that my primary concern would be Carbon Monoxide. The composite airplanes pretty much self destruct in a fire. I would think that if we had a serious engine compartment fire, our composite cowl would be gone pretty soon or at least contributing fuel to the burn.
Lowell

[Dave S]

Hi Eric,

Which kind of cowl do you have? Got a photo with it apart?

The one where upper cowl is all one piece/removable up to the windshield?

Or:

The later model one which has a separate boot cowl which fits between the windshield and firewall where the main upper cowl is removable only to the firewall, leaving the boot cowl in place?


There are a few different cowl versions which affect the choice of how the cowl is sealed.


BTW - good choice to replace the aluminum firewall with SS....

Sincerely,

Dave S

[t j]

I coated black rubber self adhesive weather stripping with Red RTV. Use a rubber gloved finger dipped in alcohol to spread the RTV on the three sides of the weather stripping. let it dry over night then stick it on the firewall.

The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Aluminum angle stock cut every 3/4 inch and riveted to top edge of fire wall. Size and position it so the weather stripping will stick up far enough above the edge of the firewall to fit snug against the inside of the cowel. My cowel fits within 1/8th inch of the fire wall top all the way around. You can stick two lengths of weather stripping together one on top of the other before you coat them with RTV if you have a larger gap to seal.
IMG_1977.jpg

Weather stripping coated with RTV on three sides
IMG_1984.jpg

Fire wall top
IMG_1981.jpg

Fire wall side. Weather stripping attached to the factory supplied firewall angle pieces. Cut lengths to fit the straight angle pieces then fill in the gaps with more red RTV and use the rubber glove dipped in alcohol to smooth the joints at the angles between the lengths.
IMG_1982.jpg

View from inside the cabin
IMG_1988.jpg

[Lion8]

Eric. I rivited aluminum angle to the S/S firewall. On top of that, I rivited a strip of fireproof weaved cloth that seals against the cowl when is installed.-Tom, (Lion8)

[Eric]

Thank You for all te answers

I now have found a rubber seal from a cart
It fits very nice and seals the plane from gases from the engine compartiment.
it is not fireproof but I think in case of a fire the cowling will melt very quick.
Do You all cover the firewall for less noise in the plane or not?

here a some pictures from my firewall


Eric

[WurlyBird]

Eric, what type of stripping is that and where did you get it?

[avidflyer]

Hi Eric, I was looking at your picture and happened to notice the landing gear. Looks like you modified the original bungee gear to be use a spring/bush gear style. I'm curious about the gear and would like to hear about your thoughts on it. Thanks, Jim Chuk

[WurlyBird]

Jim, I don't really know Eric, but I don't think he has flown this Fox yet.

Honestly, not being a jerk. It's all in good fun, brother.