This week I finished 99% of the wiring tidying ahead of the firewall, and then reattacked the transition between the cowling inlet and the plenum chamber. I was able to finish the right side far enough so I could demonstrate installation and removal of the upper cowling and the plenum chamber roof. I've still got several hours of work to do here, but I was able to get far enough to satisfy myself that this probably isn't a dead end.

Today I spent several hours removing enough baffles so I can pull two cylinders on Wednesday to check for internal corrosion. Initially, I decided it would be easier to pull the baffles on the right side, as the left side has the complicated oil cooler door mechanism. I got the baffles 90% removed on the right side, then ran into a major snag - there is a one inch square tab behind the base of the aft cylinder. That tab sticks straight down when you first fit the baffles, but then you bend it forward to block a large gap at the base of the cylinder. But once you bend the tab forward it prevents you from pulling the baffle outboard, unless you are prepared to do some major surgery. I eventually gave up fighting with it, and removed the baffles on the left side instead - it only took about a half hour to get the oil cooler and oil cooler door removed.