New Guy 170A Project

[Rangeflyer]

Hi guys, old aviator friend passed away and left me his C170A to restore. I have everything in a hangar where it's been stored since 1975. The only thing missing is the left elevator, which I think he loaned to a fellow passing through and never got replaced. I also own a C175B with O-360 that I have maintained myself for the last 17 years, so working on these is not new to me. I will be asking many stupid questions in the future, so please bear with me. The logs indicate the aircraft hasn't flown since 1957, the story is it was disassembled for storage at that time. The next owners further disassembled it for restoration, but never followed through with the project. The aircraft has X-wind landing gear, don't know what to do with that. The O-300D has been overhauled, cases look good, cylinders have new valve guides and seats. I haven't opened the package containing the crank yet. All metal parts look great, no corrosion. No antennas on the thing, or holes where anything was ever mounted. The airframe/engine have 1,028 hours.
Anyway, thanks in advance for the help.
Dave

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

If it is a 0-300-D, it is not the original engine. And a 0-300-D is not approved per the TCDS. Good news it the Association owns an STC to install the 0-300-D, prop and spinner if that is what you have.

You can donate the cross wind gear to me. My partner and I are still running them and will so long as we can get parts to keep it airworthy, we will.

The elevator can come from a '48 or another A model. The B model is different.

[bagarre]

Would love to see photos of the project.

[DaveF]

Would love to see photos of the project.

Especially interior details if that's still original.

[Rangeflyer]

image.jpeg

Trying to figure out how to post these, I fly better than I post.

[Rangeflyer]

Okay, you're right. Engine is a C145, SN 4963-D-0-2.
Looked light an O-300, shows you what I know. Any particular issues with that I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Dave

[170C]

You might have the lowest airframe 170 around. If the location of the plane has been in the El Paso area all these years there shouldn't be any corrosion issues. Where is it located, West Texas Apt or other?

[c170b53]

Has had the tail wheel bracket (fish mouth update) but it looks like the sands of time have accumulated on the mainspring. ( or maybe just the angle of the shot) Maybe a pic of the tail section at right angles to the spring would prove me wrong.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Odd that this hasn't flown since '57 yet it has the fish mouth updated tail wheel bracket.

[Rangeflyer]

Trying to get more info from survivors. No corrosion anywhere I can see. Cleanest airframe of this vintage I've ever seen. I'm retiring end of this month, first thing is to inventory every piece. Then, one small project at a time. I had a hangar at West Texas, owned it. After the old man passed away, the sons took over, selling everything they could for cash. Ran what was a profitable airport into the ground. They then sold part of it for redevelopment, most is still sitting unused. Most worthless offspring I've ever seen. This aircraft has been right here the entire time. Flew locally until 57, then stored. Been in the same hangar at KLEP since 75. The tail wheel may have been put on by the last owner as part of his project. I have the original in one of the boxes. This is going to be fun, other than a very simple VFR panel sans vacuum system, I intend to keep it as close to original as practical. Will loose the generator, venturies and heavy starter for lighter equipment. Been reading about the X-Wind gear, very interesting.
Dave

[170C]

That airport was called West Texas Airport for years, then Horizon Apt (T27). Interesting little place with lots of quinset hangars and an interesting museum. If memory serves Bob Barrett was the owner and he also had a hangar at El Paso Int'l next door to Willie Farah's hangar. (He was the clothing mfg with the huge facility on Gateway West) who had a B-26 as I recall and at least one corporate jet. Anyway, Bob ran his heating & air conditioning business out of the hangar at Int'l. I got to be pretty good friends with him on my numerous business trips to El Paso. His was the first Ercoupe I ever flew and he had, among other things, one of the nicest original Cessna 172's I had seen. Probably a '60 model or so. I knew Bob passed away quite sometime ago, but didn't know what had become of the airport. I flew my plane in there only once, but went to it or his hangar at Int'l several times a year.

[Rangeflyer]

Phil Barrett, great guy, I miss him. He always treated every pilot like family, would do anything for you. Died on the runway, working on the lights.
Dave

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Why do you want to loose the venturis, generator and starter for lighter equipment?

Are you not going to have a vacuum system? If so, without venturis, where are you going to put the pump? And why would you want to replace a venturi system that won't break for a pump that will.

In todays age of low amerage LED lighting significantly reducing load, you'll never need more than the 35 generator, why go through the expense of a alternator and wiring upgrade required of it.

Personally the weight savings of a chinese starter and the electrical changes required aren't worth it either.

But you've got time to think all that through.

[gfeher]

Dave, welcome to the association and forum. Sounds like you have a great project. Further to what Bruce just said, there is a fair amount of discussion on the forum about the wisdom of replacing the venturis, generator and/or starter. If you do a search on any of those items, you should come across them. Best of luck with your project.

[c170b53]

Oops you're right Gene, first things first.....Big welcome Dave hope you get her flying soon.