Author Topic: Cowlings are fun! (Read 10933 times)

Matt Colan · « **on:** January 29, 2011, 08:50:26 PM »

So for the past 2 or 3 days I've been able to work on the Trivial Pursuit, I've shaped the cowling, and tonight got started on the belly pan for the pipe. I have an idea floating in my head for a pretty sick looking intake for the pipe! But as of right now, it's top secret!!

Enjoy the 2 pictures, and Ted Fancher, I hope you like it.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2011, 10:05:57 PM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on January 29, 2011, 09:35:03 PM

Cowls & wheel pants are almost like seperate models and each can be a challenge. I now make two cowls, as one always seems to get beat up during the stsarting phase.

ps, I think you made a typo and meant "slick".

Ty,

I did mean sick. I guess you would call it teenager lingo I guess

And I'm gonna be cheating on the wheelpants, and getting a set of fiberglass or carbon fiber wheelpants.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2011, 10:09:45 PM »

Ty apparently doesn't watch Orange County Choppers? I saw a couple of episodes this week, by accident. They care zero about how much their beasts weigh! Good grief!!!

Steve

jim gilmore · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2011, 11:00:08 PM »

One if you want your family to stay together and your a loud mouth out spoken guy whom wants things his way only, never employ your children...

If on the other hand you can give instruction and are willing to sit back quietly and maybe even learn from your children then go ahead and work with them. They cannot be expected to learn anything unless your willing to let they explore and try on their own.

John Stiles · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:49:37 AM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on January 29, 2011, 10:27:10 PM

I used to watch it, but the constant arguing by the two sons with pop, got to me after while. I wanted to see shoppers, not ass holes.

I see you shook out on Pauly's side then......

....I was kinda in favor of big Paul, you just gotta understand how frustrating it is to grow old; especially when your wife grows older first!

Or..........heaven forbid, leaves you without, and you try steroids to fill the gap, but you feel lifes slipping away, and the younger generation is gathering up more than their fair share!!

Now that's Sick!

John Stiles · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:50:22 AM »

And now, back to the cowlings.......BEAUTIFUL work!

louie klein · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:52:27 AM »

A friend of mine works out at the same gym they go to and he says they are exactly the sme way all the time, I guess it is not an act for tv!---LOUIE

John Stiles · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:57:11 AM »

Quote from: louie klein on January 30, 2011, 07:52:27 AM

A friend of mine works out at the same gym they go to and he says they are exactly the sme way all the time, I guess it is not an act for tv!---LOUIE

What....a 62 year old on steroids that happens to have come up through "old school" bikerdom!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2011, 08:24:22 AM »

Matt, the cowl looks great. I hope you have more openings for the outlets. I can't beleive I spent three days on a cowl for the King Sweep. Especially with a muffler that is/will not be removable.

Several people I know that know the old man and the sons, says they are nothing like that in real person. He says the old man is like the episode when they were doing something for the grand kids. Says he is a big ole lovable huggy bear. Maybe they were doing a show about the gym. Some times they have to keep up the act.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2011, 09:23:54 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on January 30, 2011, 08:24:22 AM

Matt, the cowl looks great. I hope you have more openings for the outlets. I can't beleive I spent three days on a cowl for the King Sweep. Especially with a muffler that is/will not be removable.

Several people I know that know the old man and the sons, says they are nothing like that in real person. He says the old man is like the episode when they were doing something for the grand kids. Says he is a big ole lovable huggy bear. Maybe they were doing a show about the gym. Some times they have to keep up the act.

Thanks DOC, and yes, I will be putting in more air outlets than what's there. I still need to make the hole for the needle valve and the glow plug, plus a few more cooling outlets.

Alan Buck · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:59:13 AM »

Hi Matt be careful of too many holes in the cowl. you need to keep the pipe cool to. Ted had a cowl with to many holes and taped over some of them on a T.P.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2011, 03:42:02 PM »

Matt - Ill converse with you on your Own lingo HAHA we're not all old.

" Props.. mate.. PROPS.. That cowl housing looks Horn, That Whips gonna be Awesome - Fully Pimp out that Trivial pursuit and slap on Full Colan Influence.. Sick idea about that pipe pan, Mad skillz on da Carvin' of da wood dude. Chop up with ya Mad skillz getz ya kit on and get that beast in some crazy flava paint and Get ya Rumble pack to the site for some sessions with the Big Dawg ROJETT .75 and make it killer - Dont get yaself a Dungeon Tan ! "

Its looking sweeeet dude - Its hard to do a great Cowl.

Now : On american Chopper : Im with junior , he atleast does a fair amount of work and deisgn, the old man jsut sits in his office barking orders and expecting a chopper built every 4 days. Ive kinda gone off it a little ( compared to say Overhaulin' ) They dont do THAT mcuh actual fabrication.

They buy the frame, have set fuel tanks, modify the front and rear wheel arches, have set motors.. and wheels, they outsource the paint.. So they... do what.. Build handlebars test ride and trim up the odd fender. ( Watched every season - we are up to the season where Junior goes out on his own and starts up PJD Company )

Used to enjoy it, but I feel they have sold out.

Sell out

Anyone who sacrifices artistic integrity in an effort to become more successful or popular (generally in music); someone who forgets their roots.

Anyway I still think they put out some great Bikes. Biker Buildoff is also great.

Now Matt...... When are you going to think about paint prep

The Nats clock is Ticking..

ONLY 154 DAYS UNTIL THE 2011 US NATS START

John Stiles · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2011, 04:44:37 PM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on January 30, 2011, 03:42:02 PM

Now : On american Chopper : Im with junior , he atleast does a fair amount of work and deisgn, the old man jsut sits in his office barking orders and expecting a chopper built every 4 days.

Yer just like Pauly, PJ.........you so full of yerself, you think you created the world and yourself in it! Take a look at your mom and dad....they brought you into this world by the Grace of God! But in Pauly's case I think he may belong to the milkman!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2011, 04:47:56 PM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on January 30, 2011, 03:42:02 PM

Matt - Ill converse with you on your Own lingo HAHA we're not all old.

" Props.. mate.. PROPS.. That cowl housing looks Horn, That Whips gonna be Awesome - Fully Pimp out that Trivial pursuit and slap on Full Colan Influence.. Sick idea about that pipe pan, Mad skillz on da Carvin' of da wood dude. Chop up with ya Mad skillz getz ya kit on and get that beast in some crazy flava paint and Get ya Rumble pack to the site for some sessions with the Big Dawg PA .75 and make it killer - Dont get yaself a Dungeon Tan ! "

Its looking sweeeet dude - Its hard to do a great Cowl.

Now : On american Chopper : Im with junior , he atleast does a fair amount of work and deisgn, the old man jsut sits in his office barking orders and expecting a chopper built every 4 days. Ive kinda gone off it a little ( compared to say Overhaulin' ) They dont do THAT mcuh actual fabrication.

They buy the frame, have set fuel tanks, modify the front and rear wheel arches, have set motors.. and wheels, they outsource the paint.. So they... do what.. Build handlebars test ride and trim up the odd fender. ( Watched every season - we are up to the season where Junior goes out on his own and starts up PJD Company )

Used to enjoy it, but I feel they have sold out.

Sell out

Anyone who sacrifices artistic integrity in an effort to become more successful or popular (generally in music); someone who forgets their roots.

Anyway I still think they put out some great Bikes. Biker Buildoff is also great.

Now Matt...... When are you going to think about paint prep The Nats clock is Ticking..

ONLY 154 DAYS UNTIL THE 2011 US NATS START

I'm a little further behind on this build than I have at other builds. Normally I spend my February Vacation painting the plane, but I don't think I will be this time. I should be painting by March, and that's what I want to be doing aroudn then. I do want the plane flying by April, or very early May the LATEST!

And the motor is actually a Ro-Jett 76, not a PA 75.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2011, 04:56:23 PM »

Comeon John.. I acknowldege where I came from and Im not " teenager " age. Thinking I know everything and Im all there is to everything - Far far from it... I admire and feel I can learn much from guys who have been doing Stunt at a world championship level before I was even born - I continue to learn everyday and better myself.

However ;
Paul Senior hasnt built a serious chopper in MANY years. Yes he established OCC but what made the show and made custom bikes was not SNR - I'm not alone in my opinion of that either...

This is a little excerp from another forum ( which I also frequent) on the subject in question :

Steph says
January 3, 2010
It was obvious to see that Senior had got swept away by his ego. You could see that he figured he was the driving force behind OCC’s success, when in fact it was Junior’s design abilities that produced nice bikes with some real flavour, while Senior’s ‘old skool’ choppers always looked… well old, and displayed for all to see that he was totally devoid of mechanical skills, as well as artistic flair. Mikey made the show enjoyable, but he started to look really depressed and unhealthy in the 5th season, and he actually made me feel sad. Add to that the delusional Senior running around pretending to do something, when he’s obviously a lay-about, and the show really had passed its due date. It’s funny, they say we don’t like qualities in others that we dislike most of all in ourselves, well Senior was a major slacker, and he would take out his self-dislike, or even self-hatred, against Junior, which just exposed him as the mean spirited old man he really is. OCC owes all its success to Pauly’s design flair, Mikey’s loveability, and the great craftsmen out in the workshop. Too bad they can’t get rid of Senior and bring back Pauly and start building motorcycles again. If I were the show’s producer, I’d poach all the guys from OCC’s workshop, bring back Vince, and start a new shop building custom cycles without the overbearing ego of Senior to spoil the mix. Now that would make for a good show, but sadly reality TV thrives with hostility, well the ratings do anyway.

And another one.. Same thread :

Susan says:
January 5, 2010

This really stinks. I’ve been watching American Chopper since day one, and I’ve seen Paul Sr.’s ego grow bigger than his biceps over the years. He claims to give credit to the people who work for him, but he has never seemed sincere to me. His son Paul Jr. WAS the show in the beginning, with his inovative designs, albiet less than stellar work ethic…but his designs are what made the Teutuls rich and famous and over time, Sr. couldn’t take that. I’m afraid this is another case of the “reality show curse”, and this family may never be able to recover from it. Several of the guys who helped put OCC on the map have left for various reasons, which took the show on a downward spiral, along with the ridiculously loud bickering between Sr. and Jr…and Mikey’s increasing idiotic behavior. Rick (The artistic one with the funny beard and wide eyes) was the first one to go, then Vinnie and Cody. Now Paul Jr. is gone and is making his own way. Then you have Mikey, who is in rehab…and none of them even talk to Danny anymore. So…I wonder in the end if Sr. will only be happy when he has no one there with him at his brand new million dollar shop. No one to throw chairs through the window with, or axes through the doors, or to blow up garbage cans. It can be very lonely at the top when you keep stepping on the people who helped get you there. I hope Paul Teutul Sr. realizes that before it’s too late. But…I doubt it.

All of this thread started in response to the following article :

UPDATE: TLC has cancelled American Chopper.

Even with Paul Jr. and Mikey off of the show American Chopper, Paul Teutul Sr. has found a way to fight with his children, and further estrange himself from his family. Paul Sr. has filed a dispute with the Supreme Court of New York state (the State’s lowest court), which alleges that the elder Teutul has the right to purchase his son’s stock in Orange County Choppers Holdings, Inc., the company behind OCC.

Paul Sr. sent Paul Jr. a letter stating that he was exercising a stock option that would allow Paul Sr. to buy Paul Jr.’s position company at a pre-determined price. The stock options allegedly amount to over $500,000, while the law suit filed calls for an additional sum of $1 million in damages.

If you haven’t been following the new season of American Chopper at all, we’ll give you the 20 second synopsis so you can continue that trend. OCC is now devoid of Paul Jr., who has gone on to make his own industrial design firm, while Mikey has been in rehab for an alcohol problem.

Paul Sr. has admitted on camera to having no contact with any of his children, and remains in his fortress of solitude with newly found wife Beth Dillon. Paul Sr. has said in a number of awkward show candids that he’s happy about not having his sons there, much to the dismay of the remaining workers who still work at OCC.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2011, 05:04:28 PM »

Good stuff Matt.

* Changed to ROJETT *

its going to depend on how much time you throw into the finish - I mean - Paint prep work - could be 4 weeks once its finished woodwork - going through all the prep work, primers fillers, dopes, carbon veil ( if you use that ).

There is still plenty of time.

John Stiles · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2011, 05:21:30 PM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on January 30, 2011, 04:56:23 PM

Comeon John.. I acknowldege where I came from and Im not " teenager " age. Thinking I know everything and Im all there is to everything - Far far from it... I admire and feel I can learn much from guys who have been doing Stunt at a world championship level before I was even born - I continue to learn everyday and better myself.

However ;
Paul Senior hasnt built a serious chopper in MANY years. Yes he established OCC but what made the show and made custom bikes was not SNR - I'm not alone in my opinion of that either...

Geeeeeeze, PJ, he's the CEO for criminy sakes....he has a right to want things done a certain way.....I don't see anybody deriding Donald Trump....and he's a real horse's patootey!

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2011, 05:25:38 PM »

This is Matts Thread lets not divert it away from a young man building a stunning Trivial Pursuit...

I dont want to send this into an OCC argument..

Im not saying he doesnt have a right to have things the way he wants.. Just dont go on TV and say " I build all the bikes you do nothing " The way he treats Junior is pretty harsh. I wouldnt treat my children like that ( If I had any.. ) Thats all im saying.

Did you read the article I posted ? :

Paul Sr. sent Paul Jr. a letter stating that he was exercising a stock option that would allow Paul Sr. to buy Paul Jr.’s position company at a pre-determined price. The stock options allegedly amount to over $500,000, while the law suit filed calls for an additional sum of $1 million in damages.

Who sues their own child for 1 million dollars ?

Matt Colan · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:15:00 PM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on January 30, 2011, 05:04:28 PM

Good stuff Matt.

* Changed to ROJETT *

its going to depend on how much time you throw into the finish - I mean - Paint prep work - could be 4 weeks once its finished woodwork - going through all the prep work, primers fillers, dopes, carbon veil ( if you use that ).

There is still plenty of time.

well I guess you could say I've already started paint prep then. I have everything that is built covered in silkspan, which is the wing, flaps, and stab and elevators. The fuselage and rudder is the last things that need to be constructed before I can assemble everything and really start finishing.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:38:57 PM »

Its the " really start finishing " part I love .

Youv'e finished models before - so you know where you're at. Keep us all posted on the progess.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2011, 08:17:42 PM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on January 30, 2011, 07:38:57 PM

Its the " really start finishing " part I love .

Youv'e finished models before - so you know where you're at. Keep us all posted on the progess.

My favorite part of building any plane is where I start painting the plane! And yes I will keep you guys up to date on the progress.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2011, 08:42:49 PM »

You mean that TV program is actually broadcast in NZ (and maybe other places)? No wonder Americans are universally hated throughout the world.

Floyd

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2011, 09:18:48 PM »

Australia.. but yes. - We get pretty much every main show you guys have - plus Ive got Cable/Pay TV

Matt : How are you going to attach the Cowl ?

louie klein · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:38:11 AM »

Imagine Pauly doing a stunthanger bike, I bet it would have one sick cowl! Great workmanship Matt, keep it going.---LOUIE

John Stiles · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:21:45 AM »

Quote from: louie klein on January 31, 2011, 06:38:11 AM

Imagine Pauly doing a stunthanger bike, I bet it would have one sick cowl!

Yeah, those weird crybaby types come with some really off the wall sick stuff....and then one day they snap, prolly ride one of them ugly choppers through the post office er sump'm!

Sorry Matt about the deviation, your work as always is impressive, but not sick!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2011, 09:52:47 AM »

Yea, my new plane is just about ready to start finishing (couple of odds and ends to button up). I hope to have it ready for the Spring contest in April in Portland. But it will be close.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:29:35 PM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on January 30, 2011, 09:18:48 PM

Australia.. but yes. - We get pretty much every main show you guys have - plus Ive got Cable/Pay TV

Matt : How are you going to attach the Cowl ?

PJ,

I'm going to attach the cowl with 2-56 screws, blindnuts and some plywood. Kinda conventional I guess you would call it

Bill Little · « **Reply #27 on:** January 31, 2011, 10:49:17 PM »

Really nice craftsmanship, Matt.

Pay attention to what Alan said: Ted built a cowl with too many cooling holes and actually taped them, up. Remember the cowl cooling is for the engine, and the pipe needs ITS cooling. Too many cowl holes and the air doesn't get to the front of the pipe. When we all started with pipes, you would see a big hole at the bottom rear of the cowl. We had to close those up to get air over the front of the pipe at the pipe/header connection. Even Ted will tell you that.

Big Bear

John Stiles · « **Reply #28 on:** February 01, 2011, 03:30:50 AM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on February 01, 2011, 01:05:28 AM

I know what it is like to grow olde, as I r now 70+. Gittin olde sux. Now I find Ihave four deteriorating discs in my lwer back. CL is no longer any fun.

Almost all my Ls are ruptured....gotta be real careful how you pick stuff up and other things!

Bill Little · « **Reply #29 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:49:31 AM »

Guys, guys, guys,........ it beats the alternative for now!

Thank the Lord my "back" is still good. As for my neck, the discs aren't deteriorating anymore, they are now officially gone, but no surgery cured that. They just disappeared on their own.......

At least the Missus is still getting better each day

Big Bear

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #30 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:13:22 PM »

Quote from: FLOYD CARTER on January 30, 2011, 08:42:49 PM

You mean that TV program is actually broadcast in NZ (and maybe other places)? No wonder Americans are universally hated throughout the world.

Floyd

It is broacast in New Zealand as well ?

now stop hijacking Matts thread about his build!!!!! !

john e. holliday · « **Reply #31 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:14:48 PM »

I guess not being a user of pipes I still learn things. The planes we used in F2C had a small intake for cooling. The rear rotor rear exhaust made for fun on how big the opening should be to cool the engine and get rid of the exhaust. Matt, keep on keeping on as someone told me one time. Maybe get to meet in person one of these years.

Bill Little · « **Reply #32 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:44:58 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on February 01, 2011, 02:14:48 PM

I guess not being a user of pipes I still learn things. The planes we used in F2C had a small intake for cooling. The rear rotor rear exhaust made for fun on how big the opening should be to cool the engine and get rid of the exhaust. Matt, keep on keeping on as someone told me one time. Maybe get to meet in person one of these years.

Hi Doc,

In the last couple years, the general consensus, at least around here and from Randy, has been to provide an adequate cooling air entrance at the front of the cowl and then keep things closed up until about the back two thirds of the pipe where the bottom of the fuselage gets cut open. This forces the air through the engine and along the front of the pipe where adequate air exit is provided. The hottest part of the system is at the pipe/header joint.

The fancy air holes have gone out of style in order to prolong pipe life. I remember Ted when the first trivial Pursuit plans were offered through PAMPA mentioning on the forums that he had to close up some of the holes as too much air was exiting before it hit the pipe/header joint. He used clear tape on the inside so that the "illusion of the holes" was still present. Gotta preserve the "cool" factor.

We have never had cooling problems with the present system and the temps here (along with heat index) are as high as anywhere, reasonably speaking. I ain't gonna fly in Death Valley in the summer! 105*-110* (actual official air temps in the shade) is enough for me!

Big Bear

Matt Colan · « **Reply #33 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:10:47 AM »

Hi Bill,

I don't plan to add that many air exit holes. But I'm going to add another air intake for the pipe, then the nice big opening for all the air to exit by the pipe.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #34 on:** February 02, 2011, 09:29:05 AM »

Matt,

Just remember the 1 to 2 rule. The exit needs to be at least twice the size of the intake. This causes a vacuum condition and sucks air down the tunnel.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #35 on:** February 02, 2011, 11:57:10 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on February 02, 2011, 09:29:05 AM

Matt,

Just remember the 1 to 2 rule. The exit needs to be at least twice the size of the intake. This causes a vacuum condition and sucks air down the tunnel.

I will remember it, and I go by that ever since I learned that fact.

Bill Little · « **Reply #36 on:** February 02, 2011, 12:21:29 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on February 02, 2011, 08:10:47 AM

Hi Bill,

I don't plan to add that many air exit holes. But I'm going to add another air intake for the pipe, then the nice big opening for all the air to exit by the pipe.

HI Matt.

Don't take me wrong I am not being critical, just cautious!

My point is simply to make sure air will be forced over the pipe/header joint. The main part of the pipe is not as hot at the connection area.

I just didn't want you to burn up a pipe or have to tape over the extra holes like Ted did on his original.

We really have found out that basically no exit holes in the cowl, itself, are really necessary. BTW, what "year" is the plans Eric used for the kit? I only have the original PAMPA published set of Trivial Pursuit plans. About 1996, IIRC, and Aaron got Ted to autograph then at the NATS. I launched Ted for a practice flight, and it is a excellent airplane! Ted made some changes along the way, as you know. Have you talked with Ted?

I am sure you are going to get it right, and your workmanship is really looking good! I am just waiting to see the finished product and hear how it is flying for you.

Bill

Randy Powell · « **Reply #37 on:** February 02, 2011, 12:31:43 PM »

Bill,

I believe the plans in the RSM are ones that Pat Johnston drew up for Eric. I have the full kit and would have to look to see what version they are, but they are of the Special Edition that Ted blew the wing off of at the Nats (Worlds?).

Brett Buck · « **Reply #38 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:21:24 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on January 30, 2011, 09:23:54 AM

Thanks DOC, and yes, I will be putting in more air outlets than what's there. I still need to make the hole for the needle valve and the glow plug, plus a few more cooling outlets.

Don't make any more outlets on the cowl! Essentially the air that comes in the front needs to go back to the end of the pipe. Ted and I both had a lot of problems with the air getting out of the cowling and allowing the pipe to overheat. There should be *no* exit holes in the bottom of the cowl. Ted has some, but they are covered up so air can't get through them. I firist covered up all my holes, then made a new cowl with no holes in it.

The "pregnant guppy" hatch is another story. I don't know how much that matters but Ted's was essentially a breezeway.

Brett

Bill Little · « **Reply #39 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:36:05 PM »

Quote from: Brett Buck on February 02, 2011, 01:21:24 PM

Don't make any more outlets on the cowl! Essentially the air that comes in the front needs to go back to the end of the pipe. Ted and I both had a lot of problems with the air getting out of the cowling and allowing the pipe to overheat. There should be *no* exit holes in the bottom of the cowl. Ted has some, but they are covered up so air can't get through them. I firist covered up all my holes, then made a new cowl with no holes in it.

The "pregnant guppy" hatch is another story. I don't know how much that matters but Ted's was essentially a breezeway.

Brett

Thank you Brett. That is the only point I have been trying to make. Air needs to come in the front, be forced over the pipe, and exit at the rear of the pipe.

Bill

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #40 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:41:24 PM »

Hi Matt,

I'm late in seeing this thread. Nice work so far and I'm glad you're enjoying building the cowl. That was always one of my favorite parts of an airplane because it allowed an almost unlimited amount of originality and gave pizzazz to the airplane.

I do want to echo some of the concerns of Bill and Randy regarding cooling. They are absolutely right about the need to insure cooling air is guided past the narrow part of the pipe and header. Excessive amounts of air outlets before that point allows the cooling air to exit rather than continue down the more constricted area aft of the engine. Bill was absolutely right about an earlier version (the Purple Pond Scum/Final Edition) on which I had to block some exits in the cowling to force the cooling air to continue down the pipe tunnel because the narrow part of one pipe had collapsed due to softening of the epoxy caused by excessive heat.

I'm going to include a couple of pictures of the late Special Edition to show how it was configured.

The primary thing you should notice is that "all" of the holes in the cowl are "inlets". The two "Ferrari Nostrils" are obvious but the one on the side is also an inlet and intended to allow external air to enter the pipe tunnel aft of the engine to moderate the temperatures in the "hot" section. There are "NO" outlets in the cowl. The pictures of the pipe tunnel only hint at the fairly small "inlet" at the front of the scoop...again, simply a source to moderate temperatures in the tunnel but show the outlets clearly. I was somewhat concerned that I didn't have enough outlet area for the expanded volume of heated air but it seemed to work out just fine. I'm guessing the two "after the engine" inlets moderated overall temperature buildup and the need for much greater outlet volume was thus diminished. Again, that' speculation but there was never a heating problem with the setup. I'm going to post this so I can see what the pix look like and then might come back to edit the text.

Ted

Tried to download too big a batch of pix and Sparky couldn't swallow 'em all, so will post a second batch on a different post.

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #41 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:48:06 PM »

Here's another pic of the S.E. cowl for Matt.

Bill Little · « **Reply #42 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:57:36 PM »

Thank you , Ted (AKA: Cowl Master!

)

Your cowl work has caused me a lot of long nights letting the balsa chips and dust fly! LOL!! And I thank you for it. Inspirational!

I hope all is well with you and Shareen!

Bill

Matt Colan · « **Reply #43 on:** February 02, 2011, 02:20:19 PM »

Thanks for the comments Ted, Bill, Randy and Brett!

The air outlet that is on the cowl right now is what came in the kit, and I have been trying to think of a way to make it, first off, cooler looking, and 2nd of all, now that you guys have mentioned about it, an inlet rather than an outlet. Any ideas on how to convert that or should I just fill and sand smooth?

Bill Little · « **Reply #44 on:** February 02, 2011, 02:28:40 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on February 02, 2011, 02:20:19 PM

Thanks for the comments Ted, Bill, Randy and Brett!

The air outlet that is on the cowl right now is what came in the kit, and I have been trying to think of a way to make it, first off, cooler looking, and 2nd of all, now that you guys have mentioned about it, an inlet rather than an outlet. Any ideas on how to convert that or should I just fill and sand smooth?

I should think you can simply "convert" it to an inlet. The angles of the opening are what will make the change. I have seen 1/64th ply molded over a dowel (soak it and wrap) to use as an insert in the opening. Then make the bevels to direct the air "in". It weighs almost nothing, will sand out very easy and gives a corner that is harder to deform when finishing than simply the balsa.

Bill

Matt Colan · « **Reply #45 on:** February 02, 2011, 05:55:43 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 02, 2011, 02:28:40 PM

I should think you can simply "convert" it to an inlet. The angles of the opening are what will make the change. I have seen 1/64th ply molded over a dowel (soak it and wrap) to use as an insert in the opening. Then make the bevels to direct the air "in". It weighs almost nothing, will sand out very easy and gives a corner that is harder to deform when finishing than simply the balsa.

Bill

I was thinking of just turning it into an inlet, but couldn't really think up how to do it. Thanks Bill!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #46 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:36:01 PM »

Ted is, of course, right on. On my new beast, there's a little lip on the front of the pipe tunnel hole. It's designed to direct air back into the pipe tunnel. The basic concept is to shove as much air into the pipe tunnel as possible to carry the hot air away. And it allows some cool ideas to come out.

Take a loot a Claudio Chacon's Trivial Pursuit "Voodoo". Uses the same concepts as Ted's overall, but has some different flair.

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #47 on:** February 03, 2011, 12:18:25 AM »

Be honest with us Matt, how much hair did you pull out and how much balsa was scrapped while carving that cowl?

I started out with a full head of hair before I stated to replicate Teds cowls.
I cant tell you how many cowls were trashed before I was happy with the ones I liked.
Teds ears must to have been burning big time as I cussed him for nights on end.
Great job buddy, keep up the great work!!!!!!!.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #48 on:** February 03, 2011, 12:23:58 AM »

Finished product. (I could'nt get both pictures on on one post)

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #49 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:11:18 AM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on February 02, 2011, 02:20:19 PM

Thanks for the comments Ted, Bill, Randy and Brett!

The air outlet that is on the cowl right now is what came in the kit, and I have been trying to think of a way to make it, first off, cooler looking, and 2nd of all, now that you guys have mentioned about it, an inlet rather than an outlet. Any ideas on how to convert that or should I just fill and sand smooth?

Roughly, if you look at the opening and it looks like it wants to scoop air in, then it's probably an inlet. If it looks like it would scoop air in if the airplane were going backwards, then it's probably an outlet. If it's just a flush hole on the side of the plane, and in a spot where the overall section of the plane is diminishing, then it's probably an outlet, but not a really aggressive one (maybe this is where the 2x area rule came from?). And finally -- this is aerodynamics. Just looking at things won't always tell you what's really going on, but it kinda does usually.