Made the cowl side skins. Started with poster board templates cut to fit. Traced them on to the aluminum sheet. Cut out and filed all sides. Aluminum cuts are 10 times worse that paper cuts! After several “Fit and Trim” sessions I that drill fastener locations. Using 3/32” clecos to start with.
The next challenge will be the top skins, UGH.

Mother nature often changes the plans of life!!! Looking great so far!

The frustrating thing is everything will go on and off 100 times before it’s done. Got more wiring completed, stringers cut and fitted, nut plates installed. I have to close up the large hole I cut in the front bulkhead. I’m planning on mounting the oil cooler on the lower left cowl skin. I’ll need to duct air to it and the alternators (2). Next comes the cowl skins and nut plates for the nose bowl. The cowl skins will be fun as I don’t have a roller to shape the skins. But there are some excellent trees around here. Thankfully Mother Nature is cooperating. Hope to send it up to the hangar by October first.

Starting to make good progress. My daughters back in school. Finally got the ignition harness from the factory. Have to modify the length of several wires, shorten them. Temporarily assembled the nose bowl to fit up to the front bulkhead. Cut out the bulkhead and bent up the flanges and rough cut the center out. Made a pattern for the side flanges and cut them out of .025 2024. Once I’ve got the nose bowl attached to bulkhead it will be attached to a jig that bolts to the prop flange. This will hold it centered so I can attach the cowling stringers. This also gives it the correct spacing for the prop spinner.

Great build, Mark!  Nothin' quite like the REAL DEAL.

I'm certain I know nuttin'...but is this weld ok?  Just lookin'.

Neal

Love the new exhaust manifolds...looks great.  These T-51's are really something!! Thanks again for sharing this with us!
Tom

Every thing is done except the engine install and some loose ends. Test fly you say, nope, I've done enough test flying. 

This engine was in another T51 and removed for an up grade. I have to tie in this into the existing harness. The exhaust stacks need to be changed out. Who ever installed these stacks was very heavy handed, over torqued nuts. PB Blaster and a breaker bar, Yoi! A fake manifold that allows the stacks to protrude thru attaches to the side cowl panel.  One side done.