Camlocs for cowl doors

[Gary Wallace]

Again looking for feedback...with tight fitting cowl doors, are camlocs a problem to get lined up with receptacle holes and latch? Do they go in on a bit of an angle to pull door down to bottpm cowl skin. I have no experience with camloc . Thanks

[Tim213]

I used camlocs on my RV7 and love them . So naturally I got them for my Bearhawk. I have spent spent the last two days to get the holes in the doors to line up with the bottom cowl receptacles. Just a 1/32 or so off and the collar that goes through both holes won’t fit. Mine were ever so slightly off so I had to slightly file them to make them fit. I put the male ends in and all fit so I was happy. So I thought. When I went to put the retaining rings on that hold the collars a couple fell thru because the retaining ring is so narrow it would no longer grip. I had to make some spacers the exact hole size to fit over the collar on the inside of the cowl doors which seem to work. If my attachment works you can see what it looks like.

[whee]

I used MilSpec Products quarter turn fasteners; same thing as camlocks. When you push the fastener into the receptical it kinda pulls the doors tight. You have to make sure to install them properly though or you'll end up with crappy looking doors like mine.

Also, I used the "flush" Phillips head fasteners and I hate them. It is annoying to need a tool to open the cowl and more importantly the stainless steel is soft enough that the heads strip really easily. I'm on my second complete set of fasteners and a few are bad again. I'll be installing the winged fasteners the next time around.

[geraldmorrissey]

Winged, you can use them with gloves on and no screwdriver needed. Plus no nasty long scratches from the head of the screwdriver when it slips out of the fastener. They are all a PIA to install. By the time you figure out how to properly install them, your done. Second everything WHEE said.
Gerry.
Patrol #30

[Gary Wallace]

Im assuming winged camlocs when locked will be parallel to airflow along bottom of cowl doors, but if used on nose bowl they would be perpendicular to airfo . Just guessing here. Or is there a way to change direction of wings by 90 degrees?

[Bcone1381]

I'd like to find a good resource for Super Cub style latches
Screen Shot 2020-01-29 at 7.48.48 AM.png

[robcaldwell]

I used the same on my Model B. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Piper-Cowli...0/283308618930.

[Nev]

Need some advice regarding Camlocs......

Will 2600’s and 2700’s do the same job ? 2700’s look to be flush mounted, but a wider circumference as a result - is this correct? If I can fit the flush mounted ones I may go for them.

What other parts do I need ? I see there’s the stud, receptacle, and a retaining clip. Some Camlocs appear to have a grommet as well but I can’t find these for the 2700. Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance.

[N3UW]

I'd like to find a good resource for Super Cub style latches
Screen Shot 2020-01-29 at 7.48.48 AM.png

Similar used on all the Piper Cherokee models.

[Nev]

Similar used on all the Piper Cherokee models.

I’ve always been a fan of the simplicity of the older Piper cowl latches. But with the IO540 and no plenum, I’m not sure how well I can seal around the cowl doors and hence the decision to use Camlocs.

[robcaldwell]

I had the same concern as you, Nev. That's what took me down the plenum rabbit hole... https://bearhawk4place.blogspot.com/...nd-plenum.html

[Tim213]

I also used the Camlocs. Here are the part numbers I used. SK40S-2S Philips Stud, SK-OS Flush Grommet, SK-R4S Retainer Clip, and SK245A161A. Adjustable Cage. Here is what my cowl doors look like.

[Nev]

Thanks Tim. Very nice looking aircraft !

[ScottS]

Is there a source for winged camlocs that are turned 90 degrees, so when used along the nose bowl would be parallel to the wind. Gary you mentioned this above what did you come up with?

Thanks,
Scott
Patrol

[svyolo]

I bought mine from Skybolt

[alaskabearhawk]

Google "Southco winged camloc" and just "winged camloc" . That will bring up a number of different types and sources. The depth is the tricky part. But once dialed in they work great.

[Utah-Jay]

SkyBolt wing nuts for me too, I have the adjustable ones