Baffles
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I started installing my baffles last night... Yes I did get the kit from Van's, and yes, after seeing the parts, I'm glad I did... In the instructions they list the engine they know the baffles will fit without modification and mine was on the list... I only got the sides done so far, but have held the rest of the pieces up to the engine and they all look like they will fit perfectly... I recommend the kit whole heartedly... |
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There is still a lot of trimming you have to do on the top of the baffles for cowl clearance... I measured another -8's baffles for a starting point, then cut mine high, put the top cowl on, and used a sharpie taped to a spacer to use the cowl as a guide for the marker to see where I needed to cut... |
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I got a lot of help from the RV-List on oil cooler installations and decided to mount it on the baffle... I have a Harrison 7 row cooler that came with my engine... First, I made a .040" doubler for the left rear outer baffle where the cooler will actually mount... |
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Then I added an angle where the left rear side baffle and the outer rear baffle come together... I also added an angle where the left rear inner and left rear outer baffles come together... |
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And finally I made a brace out of 4130 tubing to secure the rear of the baffle at the left rear inner and left rear outer junction... I still need to get the bolts and tubing (spacers) to finish the cooler install, and I also need to make a door for those cold Colorado winters... |
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The right side walls are done now... I am using nutplates instead of rivets to connect the baffle sub assemblies so I can remove them if I ever need to... |
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Here are some pix of the front ramps... These just plain suck to make... |
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I made mine so that I could remove them independently. Actually, it is so I can remove the baffle sides for maintaining the plugs... |
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Here's how I am planning on mounting my baffles... The solid aluminum rod is drilled and tapped on both ends.....and I will be useing the right size lock washer... 8-) |
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