Angier -
I have the same engine configuration that you do. I do not recall the
red plastic spacer (well, perhaps a vague memory) but I do have a phenolic
spacer which (as I recall) is 1/2 inch thick. I have the same 90 degree
Airflow Performance elbow that you are contemplating -- I think the phenolic
spacer came with that.
One thing I had to do was to swap the fuel outlet fitting on the fuel servo
with the plug on the opposite side. As delivered, the fuel output fitting
pointed right at the exhaust pipe. Now it comes out the bottom and is too
close to the cowl scoop for a standard AN fitting. (I had some fiberglass
guru help and remade the cowl scoop -- I did not use the part supplied by
Lancair. I probably should have swapped out the fitting first and left
enough room for a standard AN fitting. Oh well, next time...)
You are correct -- there is very little room between the fuel outlet
fitting and the bottom of the cowl. A standard 90 degree AN elbow fitting
did not leave enough room. I used a "test fitting" made by Parker.
While not an AN fitting, it is indistinguishable from a Lycoming fuel pump
fitting, and both I and my A&P are happy with it. If you want, I can
pick one up for you at the Parker store I drive by every day. It's only $8
-- consider it a gift. Let me know.
You may be able to use a standard AN fitting if you do not use the phenolic
spacer or are more careful with your cowl scoop. (Your fiberglass work is
impeccable so I suspect that any clearance problems are not of your own making,
as mine were.) Since the phenolic spacer came with the elbow, you might
get an answer from Airflow Performance as to its necessity, or the necessity of
your thinner plastic spacer. I will be working with my A&P this
weekend and I will ask him about it also.
One other thing -- you will need a bracket to hold your mixture and
throttle cables. Vans Aircraft makes one that's really close. You
would need to cut off the ends and make a small aluminum standoff to make it
work. I'll take pictures this weekend and send them along. The
standoff material is hard to find (1.5 x 1.5 square tubing) and I'll
be buying a four-foot length and using only three inches. I can send
you a leftover piece if you like what you see in the pictures.
- Rob Wolf