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Fuselage July 2006 Updates July 01, 2006 Gascolator Doubler..... - 3.0 hrs A while back I saw a couple of builders with a piece that didn't come with my kit. It was a doubler plate that goes on the inside of the firewall to stiffen it for the installation of a gascolator. This was before I knew that you may not need a gascolator. You do not need this if you are going fuel injection. I have decided to go the carb route so I ordered the part number VA-161 from Van's. It is on the list on Van's website. http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/parts.txt I had to drill out one of the rivets on the right side edge of the firewall. I lined the doubler level in place and then drilled out several of the #40 holes thru the firewall and clecoed in place. Then I did the outside edges with #30 bit using the tight fit drill attachement. You cannot get a fullsize drill in these areas with the firewall already put together. Next was the usual debrurring edge prep and dimpleing. Primed the doubler and then was ready to install. Derek helped me dimple the stainless firewall. I took 2 small pieces of 2x4 and drilled a hole in each to accept the dimple dies. With him on the insde holding the female die I used the male on the front side to create the rivet dimple and used a hammer and a few strikes. Worked out pretty good. Last I used my new backrivet bucking bar on the front side of the firewall and used the backrivet set on the inside. This worked out great which was a good test for how I will try to do most of the fuselage soon. This website was built to document my work in compliance with the FAA requirements needed to certify my aircraft. My experiences and comments are by no means to be considered as instructions on how to build any aircraft.