Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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Thainline
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Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by Thainline »

Hello all, I'm a new member to the association, and a hopeful 170 owner.

Can anyone recommend a knowledgeable A&P in the Massachusetts area who might be available to conduct a prebuy inspection on a 1952 170B out there? The airplane is located in Northampton MA (7B2). The airplane just came out of annual inspection, but I want to be thorough obviously, and I'd like someone with some 170 expertise to look it over.

Thanks in advance!

Tom
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gfeher
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by gfeher »

Ed Urbanowski of Urban Aviation at Sterling, MA (3B3). He has tons of experience with Cessna's and he was my IA when I was based there. He did the pre-buy on my '52 C-170B and my annual inspections. He's a great tailwheel instructor to boot.
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
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Richgj3
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by Richgj3 »

Sounds like a good recommendation. FWIW, a friend looked at that airplane in person and he was looking at it favorably but he could Not get past the paint scheme. He said the paint was done well, just did not like the scheme. It is “eye catching “ as the ad says. :D

Best of luck.
Rich Giannotti CFI-A. CFI-I SE.
1952 C170B
N2444D s/n 20596
Thainline
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by Thainline »

Thanks for the info, I'll give Ed a call today.

And yeah, I would have probably gone a different direction with the paint myself, but I'm tired of waiting for the perfect airplane! We'll see how it turns out...

Tom
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c170b53
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by c170b53 »

175 nose bowl might mean more mods, just ensure you are totally aware of what you can’t wait for.
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
Thainline
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by Thainline »

Thanks for the heads up. Any issues with the nosebowl itself, or is it just the fact that it’s indicative of a not quite stock airplane with maybe some more hidden surprises?
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by cessna170bdriver »

That nosebowl is usually seen in conjunction with a belt-driven vacuum pump.
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
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GAHorn
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by GAHorn »

cessna170bdriver wrote:That nosebowl is usually seen in conjunction with a belt-driven vacuum pump.
And those belt driven pumps are no longer serviceable/repairable for lack of parts.... but I think I saw venturiis on that airplane...one on the left...one of the right like your’s used to have, Miles.
F1043AEB-C184-47F7-9064-5BC7124AF292.jpeg
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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Richgj3
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by Richgj3 »

Although this is described as a 52, the panel is not configured that way. Could be this is a 53 model built at the end of 52 which causes the FAA to list it as a 52 when Cessna sold it as a 53. Or it could be a modification. Not a bad thing, just something I would want to know about.

My 1962 Comanche was built in December of 1961 so FAA listed it as a 61 but it had features first available on 62 models, like electric flaps and fuel injection.
Rich Giannotti CFI-A. CFI-I SE.
1952 C170B
N2444D s/n 20596
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GAHorn
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by GAHorn »

Richgj3 wrote:Although this is described as a 52, the panel is not configured that way. Could be this is a 53 model built at the end of 52 which causes the FAA to list it as a 52 when Cessna sold it as a 53. Or it could be a modification. Not a bad thing, just something I would want to know about.

My 1962 Comanche was built in December of 1961 so FAA listed it as a 61 but it had features first available on 62 models, like electric flaps and fuel injection.
This question has been presented many times throughout the Forums. The FAA designates an airplane’s construction-year in the year it receives it’s Airwrothiness Certificate (rolls off the assy line) .... NOT in accordance with it’s Model-Year by design. My “53” model left the assy line in Nov of ‘52, so the FAA lists it as a “52 model. This is a HUGE revision from their first designation when FAA listed it at a 1971 B-model. (I should have left that alone as it made it appear unique.)

My airplane left the factory and went directly to El Salvador having ever rec’d a U.S. Airworthiness Certificate, instead receiving an El Salvadorian certificate. This meant that when it was imported from South America in 1971 and first rec’d a U.S. Airworthiness.... FAA listed it as a 1971 Cessna 170B.
I wrote a letter to them demonstrating that, by serial number, it was a 1953 model...and that it’s production test flight was signed off in Nov. ‘52.... so, in the only way the agency logic works.... they listed it as a 1952 despite the fact it is well down the serial list as a 1953. (SN: 25713)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by cessna170bdriver »

GAHorn wrote:
cessna170bdriver wrote:That nosebowl is usually seen in conjunction with a belt-driven vacuum pump.
And those belt driven pumps are no longer serviceable/repairable for lack of parts.... but I think I saw venturiis on that airplane...one on the left...one of the right like your’s used to have, Miles.
The attachment F1043AEB-C184-47F7-9064-5BC7124AF292.jpeg is no longer available
I believe my venturis were mounted a bit higher on the fuselage, and only the one on the right produced any significant vacuum.
71D222EB-F75B-430E-A992-0C66C1C2D2D8.jpeg
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
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170C
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by 170C »

Although you can't see behind the prop, that cowling looks very much like the one I have on my '56 172 and it is a '59 172 cowling I am told. No crossbar and open above and below the prop shaft.
OLE POKEY
170C
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2012-2018
Thainline
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by Thainline »

Thanks so much for everyone's input, I'm appreciating all the knowledge on this forum already.
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GAHorn
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by GAHorn »

Thainline wrote:Thanks so much for everyone's input, I'm appreciating all the knowledge on this forum already.
There are so many things to consider when inspecting an airplane for purchase. An example is found in this discussion on the cowling.
Do you expect to find documentation for the installation of a later C172 cowling on a 170B? Technically, there should be something in the mx records to indicate that was done. It’s “picky” in most persons’ view... but that is what should exist. If you buy this thing and next year YOUR IA refuses to sign-off on the Annual Inspection what will you do?
This is why a “pre buy” inspection is worthless. What you want, when buying an airplane, is a full “Annual Inspection”. And if that inspector is paying attention, he’ll note that cowling “repair” and find some basis of approval for it before he approves it for return to service.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
bat443
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Re: Massachusetts C170B Prebuy

Post by bat443 »

That is assuming that your inspector knows what a original looks like. It is often hard to find an inspector that is intimately familiar with the airplane model being inspected.

Tim
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