Engine Installation

Section FF1

The Firewall Forward RV-10 plans consist of six subsections that you follow if you're building a 'per the plans' plane.  My build deviates from the plans with using different control cables, oil cooler, AC, Ram Air ect.  These deviations require you to do your own research, see what others have done and engineer through it.  By the time you get to these sections you're well into your build and familiar with figuring things out.

Mounting the engine involves acquiring the actual engine, which I ordered late last spring and even though it took longer than expected but it was worth the wait.  Last week I was able to do the short drive to Tulsa and pick up the engine from BPE.  I borrowed one of my buddy's trucks to make the journey and it was an easy drive, an easy loading and easy transaction.  I can't say enough about Rhonda and Allen and the assistance they gave in working through the process.

Engine loaded up

The actual process to get the engine from the truck to my garage was a bit more lengthy.  It's a big box, is over 400 lbs and not something I want to just toss around.  I decided to play it safe and we moved it from the pickup to another one of my buddy's trucks... (A rollback). May have been overkill but in the end it arrived at my house, we man handled it into the garage and unboxed it to get my first look!

Lycoming IO-540-X

Knowing hanging the engine isn't a one person job I recruited the 'Dream Team' of motor mounters to come help this weekend.  It only took about an hour to hang the engine. The first three bolts were relatively simple but the last one was a fighter.  I don't know if it was the engine or the mount but we had to wrestle a bit to get it lined up. After that it was torqued up, cotter pined and done!

Group action shot

So many hands

So the engine is now mounted on the plane.  It's much harder to push around than it used to be and she'll stand on her own without the tail being supported.  From this point there are essentially three things I can work on independently of each other.  There's the engine work which involves hanging the accessories such as the alternators, AC compressor, Ram Air, ect.  There's the next FWF section with working on the brackets.  Then there's going back to the Finishing section on installing the prop and cowling.  These items should keep me busy into the Spring!
Some additional pictures that some might find useful.

Front

AC Compressor

AC Compressor and Prop Governor

Primary Alternator

Secondary Alt

Elbow and Fuel Servo