mjk51
Member
I just finished up my Firebolt firewall, and despite some aggravation, frustration and a bit of bleeding (that stainless can be real sharp)the thing came out looking, and fitting well. I tried the Harbor Freight Shrinker and did not like the many small tool marks left in the angle. I used the Roper Whitney #141 notching tool from A.C.S. The 1/16 inch aluminum angle was a bit beyond the tools capacity. With some handle extensions however it did a reasonably good job of notching the flange. A bit of distortion along the edge of the angle but it tapped out easily enough. I notched the whole firewall flange in 30 minutes or so. ..One questions arises.... is the firewall attached to the fuselage only by the engine mount bolts? Or do we also attach to the fuselage with welded tabs, clips, clamps etc. from the back side? It's nice to see the firewall attached. The "roundness" is a welcomed change from years of a square fuselage. 
