Top Flite TOPA0712 - Manual (Page 25)

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6. With the engine
mounted to the front of the
fi rewall slide the cowl onto
the front of the fuselage.
Work slowly and mark
where the cowl needs
to be cut to allow it to fi t
completely over the engine.
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7. When you have trimmed the cowl and are able to
slide the cowl over the cowl ring, use a pencil to mark
the inside of the cowl where the cowl ring contacts the
cowl. Lightly sand the inside of the cowl with 220-grit
sandpaper on the line. After sanding wipe the area clean
with a paper towel and alcohol.
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8. Place the cowl over
the engine onto the cowl
mounting ring. Adjust the
position of the cowl, making
sure it is centered on the
engine. Make sure when
positioning the cowl that
the molded machine gun
ports on the top of the cowl
are aligned with the guns in
the fuselage.
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9. Once you have it
positioned slide the
spinner back plate over
the prop shaft. With the
spinner back plate in
position double check
the centering of the cowl
with the back plate.
When you are satisfi ed
with the position of the
cowl, remove the spinner
back plate.
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10. Mix 5-minute
epoxy with some micro
balloons. Using a long
stick (not included) apply
small amounts of epoxy
to tack glue the cowl
to the cowl mounting
ring. Leave the cowl
undisturbed until the
glue hardens.
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11. When the glue hardens remove the cowl. If you
haven’t yet fi gured out why you put silicone tubing in
the cowl mounting ring it will become evident when
removing the cowl. When you unscrew the mounting
screws you can see how the screws are retained in
the cowl mounting ring. When re-installing the cowl
you can see that the screws work as mounting pins to
align the cowl to the fuselage. You also have the added
benefi t that the screws are already positioned so you
don’t have to try and balance the screw on the wrench
while fi nding the mounting holes. You will be able to
access the mounting screws from the front of the cowl
as well as the holes for the machine guns in the top of
the cowl. TIP: If you take each of the mounting bolts out
of the ring and fi le them to a point on a grinder or belt
sander, the bolts will fi nd the blind nuts easier when
locating the cowl.
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12. Apply shoe goo or silicone adhesive to the front
of the cowl ring, permanently mounting the cowl ring
to the cowl. Do not disturb the cowl while waiting for the
glue to harden.
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13. Install the
muffler onto the
engine and then
re-install the cowl
over the engine.
Make any additional
adjustments to the
opening in the cowl
to accommodate
the muffl er.