Working through the todo list, aiming towards being able to start the engine – an exciting goal. I bought a new set of spark plugs and checked the gaps to make sure each one was set correctly:
I also wanted to check the resistance of the new plugs, but none of the probes on any of my meters were long enough to reach the bottom of a spark plug barrel where the contact lives. So I made this little resistance-checking adapter, which is nothing more than a spring, a screw, and a chunk of Delrin I turned down on the lathe:
To use it, I clip one meter lead to the screw, push the spring into the spark plug barrel, and touch the other lead to the center electrode. Super easy and convenient:
I installed the top plugs with copper anti-seize and new gaskets, and torqued both the plugs and the harness nuts:
The bottom plugs I will leave out until engine pre-oiling is complete, so I insulated the connections using scraps of plastic conduit slipped over the ends:
I verified the magneto timing, and checked the torque of all the important fasteners and hydraulic fittings on and around the engine. As with anything firewall-forward, it takes a whole host of adapters and extensions to even be able to reach most items:
I got the spinner out of storage and used it to check the position of the forward spinner bulkhead, then torqued and safetied the mounting bolts for it:
Then I removed the protective covers from the prop blades,and installed the spinner. Looks great if I do say so myself:
