Monday, June 26, 2006
RV-4 Cowls.
If you are building a -4 you need to know about the available engine cowls. It took me a while to understand this issue so I thought I would document it here. There are (at least) two current variants of cowls. I think it is only the lower section that varies but since you will almost certainly order both parts together that's not an issue. If you are using a standard O-320 engine you need the O-320 cowl. If you are using an IO or O-360 or an IO-320 you will need the O-360 cowl. The reason that the IO-320 needs the -360 cowl is because the injection system together with the air box on the bottom is deeper than the carburated O-320. Its not very different but it's enough to matter. There is not much spare room down there!
This became an issue for me because I was quite interested in putting an injected -320 in my -4. However, the cowls don't look quite the same. When you see them side by side you will see that the -360 cowl is deeper and to my mind just takes the edge of the looks of the -4. It's not a big thing but at least if you know the issue you can make your own mind up.
If you decide on 200hp....I have no idea.
This became an issue for me because I was quite interested in putting an injected -320 in my -4. However, the cowls don't look quite the same. When you see them side by side you will see that the -360 cowl is deeper and to my mind just takes the edge of the looks of the -4. It's not a big thing but at least if you know the issue you can make your own mind up.
If you decide on 200hp....I have no idea.
