Front engine access on R-27

[knotflying]

As we all know access to the front of the engine can be a job in itself. I enlarged the opening as many of you have done, but having to clean the cave out to remove the access panel is another PIA. I modified the interior panel and it works like a charm. First I cut the panel just short of the back inside edge of the cave panel that the 12v and the 110v outlets are mounted on. This allows you to push your modified port piece in and behind the cave upright panel and it locks that end in place. Then I cut the remaining inside panel in half vertically. On the port piece I had to cut a small taper at the top port side and bottom port side so I could slide it back up to the now stationary panel on the port side.The starboard piece just locks into the starboard crevice as it always did and the two top screws hold both pieces in place I can now remove the panel in two pieces from the step access without clearing out the cave just to remove the inner step panel 🙂

 

[Red Raven]

I'm not sure I follow. I just went through the impeller change process and and would like to improve the access. Could you post some photos?

I also am not sure I understand the purpose of the interior panel. I thought it was for noise suppression but it doesn't actually seal around all sides and the noise insulation is actually on the teak step panel anyway. Do you know what it is for?

Curt