I just took a straight edge to it and looks like the 4 3/8s is as close as I can get measuring from firewall to the inside washer. I really can't take any off of the mount because it's the screw in the mount that will hit a screw on the carb on my 61 magnum. I'm not worried about the cowl fitting just trying to keep the weight toward the rear.

So I guess I'll be the only one trying to fly this thing with no gyro? Is the decathlon the only tail dragger with this ground handling problem? I'm looking to add a monocoupe and taylorcraft to my collection wonder if they will be the same?