Can Older C172 Fuselage repair C170B 1952

[oakesje]

I'm rebuilding my damaged C170B 1952 serial number 20731 - do you know if an older model C172 fuselage can be used to repair my C170B? If so what C172 serial number range should i look for? Any ideas where I can find a gear box?
Thank you
J

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

If it looks like a duck, it's probably a duck. I think you will find many parts of the fuselage the same until they starting the omni vision models with the rear windows. You need to start comparing IPCs which are available online.

If you are talking large parts of the fuselage, lets say the cabin, then it is obvious the side rear windows changed shape in '55 but if you don't mind confusing people with the wrong rear window shape, it should be the same. Tail cones of course through '56, nose draggers won't have the tailwheel bracket and maybe stringers. Of course at '55 bulk heads and pulleys changed in the rear to accommodate the new tail wheel cable routing. Doesn't mean the old system could not be used. When studying tail cones you would want to look at the stabilizer area to see if there are differences in parts due to the change of shape in '56.