Today was all about the left set of exhaust pipe brackets.

I started out by cutting the outboard lower sleeve after determining its configuration.

In assessing the fit of the pair of exhaust pipes in the brackets, I determined that the inboard edge of the aluminum baffle where it’s close to the inboard pipe needed trimming for clearance.  I have expected this might be the case for some time, but wanted to verify before I started chopping more stuff out.

I had to remove the exhaust pipes to allow trimming of the aluminum baffle, so at this point was the time to do some more unsexy, mundane work of creating reinforcement plates for the pair of inboard screws, and also the upper outboard screw hardpoint.

After a decent bit of assessment and seeing what material I had on hand, I landed on using 1/16″ thick 6061 aluminum angle.  Here it is after I’ve cut and shaped it using both the band saw and Dremel tool.

I also drilled a 3/32″ hole at each screw attach point through both the baffle plate and the reinforcement angle to determine and secure alignment with clecos.

Here’s a shot from the inside (forward→aft, pic 1) and after I’ve peppered the perimeter with holes for securing it with rivets (pic 2).

Here we have the left exhaust pipe inboard reinforcement screw mounting plate riveted into place.

I then did a bit of scrounging to come up with another 1/16″ thick piece of aluminum, this one is 2024, to press into service for reinforcement of the left exhaust pipe bracket top outboard screw position.

After shaping it, I then secured it in position, drilled two 3/32″ holes and secured it with clecos.  Again, this is from the inside looking aft.

Here we have the left exhaust pipe bracket top outboard screw reinforcement plate cleco’d into position.

I then riveted the left exhaust pipe bracket top outboard screw reinforcement plate into position.

Yeah, not the most exciting stuff here… but definitely required.

Not surprisingly, there is a decent little bit of tweaking to get the left exhaust pipes nestled into their final positions with the brackets and sleeves, which I’ll work on tomorrow.  I plan on knocking out the left exhaust pipes before moving onto the right side.