I received new Z-brackets from Vans because the holes in the original brackets were not drilled in the proper locations. I’m basically ignoring the Vans instructions and drilling the brackets by using the baffle and spar to match drill the holes. With the tank skin and baffle installed, I match drilled the inboard bracket.
I drilled the #12 hole in the middle of each flange.
The outer #12 holes we drilled by using the spar as a guide.
With each Z-bracket located, on the spar, I used the baffle (not pictured) as a guide to drill the flanges.
The nut plates holes were drilled and the holes were countersunk.
I countersunk the inboard holes on the spar.
I finally got around to stop-drilling the crack on the spar.
