I dimpled then started riveting the firewall parts by the forward seat ribs (aka tunnel), adding all the nutplates, the inspection panel backing plate, the fuel valve attack bracket flanges, and the scat tube support:
Inspection panel backing plate/cover, fuel valve flanges and scat tube support with nutplates riveted
Forward fuselage ribs with nutplates, inspection panel backing plate, nose gear tension fittings and fuel valve bracket flanges riveted on
Forward fuselage rib riveted to nose gear tension fitting
I then dimpled the recess box and the firewall bulkhead to accept the rivets:
Dimpled firewall bulkhead
and finally started riveting it all together:
Firewall bulkhead with most parts riveted to it
Forward side of the firewall bulkhead, with most parts riveted to it
In the process, I also realized that the rivet gauges I have don't match Van's spec - Van's allows smaller shop heads overall, and with some of the rivet lengths they specified, it's impossible to get to the gauge's "official" spec. This applies to most firewall bulkhead rivets, so I had to measure those with a caliper - specifically, the gauge has a hole that's about .19", and the spec calls for .163". The height was almost right on the gauge - the gauge has .06", and the spec is .05".
"Standard" rivet gauges don't really match the MIL-spec that Van's recommends
There's still quite a bit of riveting left to do, but this is a good start.
Time lapse:
Total firewall rivets: 512 Total firewall time: 49.9h
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