I was watching some videos on the 2020 Alaska Airman's Association 180 build and I noticed what looks like reinforcements on the firewall. Anyone know anything about these for a 180?

WasatchPilot wrote:I was watching some videos on the 2020 Alaska Airman's Association 180 build and I noticed what looks like reinforcements on the firewall. Anyone know anything about these for a 180?

Do you mean the doubler on the lower right engine mount attach point?

If so, I'm guessing it's a repair. My 180 has a couple of those

Pretty common repair to cover the little cracks in the firewall skin that like to radiate out from the lower engine mount bolt holes. I’ve done a half dozen over the years.

I agree with the others since my original 54 firewall doesn't have those doublers. That plane had been worked on at some point because it had universal head rivets ahead of the doors and the factory used flush.

They are on the 185 firewalls and later model 180’s. We added them to my firewall when we put the new one in - pretty standard to do it for any new firewall.

Off topic, but this reminded me that I sure wish I could get my hands on a 182 firewall reinforcement kit since I'll have the engine off for a while.

I don't think you can buy the complete kit any more. It's part number SK182-44c and is attached to this post. I believe all the individual parts are still available so you can piece it together.