On the interior side of the firewall

[TimHicks]

Ever since I've owned this airplane, I have had three interior panels on the inside of the boot cowl.
In the interest of weight savings, I've decided to leave those panels on the ground and just paint the inside of the boot cowl.
But my IA is questioning whether the panel behind the firewall needs to be there (because it was squashed between the firewall and the fuselage frame).
Does everybody have something between the firewall and the frame? Or do some folks have the firewall bolted right up to the frame?

[3Dreaming]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

In my opinion if you have a firewall blanket it should be cut away where the bolts for the motor mount go. I also doubt that it had the blanket when it was new.

[astjp2]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Leave the blanket on the firewall, the sound asorbtion makes it worth it. DAMHIK....Tim

[3Dreaming]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Leave the blanket on the firewall, the sound asorbtion makes it worth it. DAMHIK....Tim

I did mean he should take it off, just that it shouldn't be sandwiched between the motor mount, firewall, and airframe at the attach points.

[TimHicks]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Does anyone have any real experience with the airplane being noisier without the panel on the firewall? (mine is more of a thin fiberboard covered with white naugahyde than it is a blanket).

It just seems like the propeller and the exhaust make up most of the noise. And that noise probably passes mostly around, not through, the firewall. And it's not like the rest of the cabin has any sound protection. And I wear noise-cancelling headsets. I just can't imagine that a panel on the firewall makes a difference that I would notice, much less care about.

[3Dreaming]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Does anyone have any real experience with the airplane being noisier without the panel on the firewall? (mine is more of a thin fiberboard covered with white naugahyde than it is a blanket).

It just seems like the propeller and the exhaust make up most of the noise. And that noise probably passes mostly around, not through, the firewall. And it's not like the rest of the cabin has any sound protection. And I wear noise-cancelling headsets. I just can't imagine that a panel on the firewall makes a difference that I would notice, much less care about.

The boot cowl is like a megaphone focusing engine noise into the cockpit. Anything you can do to help quiet the noise is a good idea.

[astjp2]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

I thougth I was pretty clear about you needing it....but you can learn the hard way. Tim

[TimHicks]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Tim P.
Does that mean that you have flown a TaylorCraft without something on the firewall and you found that it made a big difference in noise?
Tim H.

[astjp2]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Mine came without it, I installed it, 1/4" fire resistant foam with a foil backing. Made a big difference. That steel firewall is like a bell with an aluminum sound ring....the weight is negligible and the reduction of heat in the summer helps too.

[woodmw]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

When I got my "T", it had closed cell aluminum foil backed foam insulation glued to the firewall inside the cabin. About 1/2" thick. Whoever installed it did a good job of fitting it, but it had some gaps along the steel tubes. I.E., it was not sandwiched between firewall and tubes. This foam was also stuck to the kick panels and inside the doors. And underside of glare shield. Even the fuel tank was covered. I removed all of it, installed new Airtex door and kick panels a few months ago. I don't perceive any difference in noise levels, but I always fly with ANR headsets. Also, I do not feel any increase in heat, but weather has been cooler. I am waiting to see if August will be hotter in the plane this year.

BTW, the foam insulation is the same stuff Mooney factory sent me to replace original fiberglass to comply with AD on my '62 C Model. It did reduce noise, but I bought extra and did entire cabin/baggage area.

[cvavon]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Tim there is nothing on my fire wall it's not that noisy.

[TimHicks]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Thanks everybody for sharing your experiences. That's exactly what I was looking for. Tim P. and Mike mentioned a foil-backed foam. Is that the generally accepted best stuff to use? Where do I find it?

Below is a picture from last night after painting the red trim color on my fuselage and doors.

The boot cowl is all masked for red paint. So the timing is right to figure out what to put on it before I install it.

[TimHicks]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

I ordered a firewall insulating blanket from AirTex. $150. 3 weeks delivery.
I wish I could get it faster because the boot cowl will be ready to install within a few days.

[Bravo 6]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Tim,

I just got done reworking the front of my Taylorcraft to include the boot cowl. I used:SUPER SOUND PROOF 1/8" BLACK Part #: 09-42719 from Univair. It may or may not have been better to go with thicker material?

[Bravo 6]

Re: On the interior side of the firewall

Tim,

Forgot to mention, your project looks great! Please keep updating photos as you progress!