Final baffle riveting
I started off my mixing another batch of epoxy. I decided to reinforce the ramp extensions I made previously. Before I laid up just 2 layers of fiberglass and it seemed a bit flimsy, especially since the baffle seal will be pushing against it. I laid up 3 strips on each side to reinforce the forward edge.
I then moved on to finishing up the riveting on the baffles. There were several rivets that I had to buck. A few aren’t very pretty, but they’ll hold just fine. I also drilled the holes in the bottom flanges that are safety wired together to wrap around the bottom of the cylinders. I also reamed all of the holes for screws 1/64″ larger per the instructions to allow for movement.
I then decided to mount the alternator. I’m not sure why I put this off so long. The parts have been sitting primed on my bench for weeks. I guess I was just concentrating on the baffles. Anyway I installed it.
I mounted the starter ring gear and estimated that I need an alternator belt 33″ inches long. Van’s suggests starting with a Gates 7350. I looked up that belt on www.rockauto.com, which states it is 35-5/8″ long. I’m not sure if that’s an inside or outside diameter, but I’m guessing it’s a bit too long. I’ll stop by the local auto parts store and see what’s available.
From there I figured it was time to install the baffles for the last time. It all went very smoothly, although I did manage to scrap a bit more paint off the rocker covers. I was hoping to be able to install the screw behind the dipstick, but I just couldn’t contort my fingers to get back there. I snapped a picture of the safety wire, cut it, removed the dip stick tube, installed the screw, and re-installed the dip stick tube.
Big day with some big accomplishments (as long as those stupid baffles don’t need to come off again).