Cowling Camloc
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
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Cowling Camloc
Hey guys, would anyone have the size info for Camloc screws for the cowling latches. I contacted Aircraft Sprue and they said I need to add up the total thickness. Just hoping someone already knows the size.
Thanks, Don
Thanks, Don
- GAHorn
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Re: Cowling Camloc
What airplane make and model? (Cessna 170s did not use cam-locs according to the IPC…. so if you have cam-locs your cowling has been modified and it’s doubtful anyone can offer you a specific answer without you measuring as Spruce recommended.)Dferr34 wrote:Hey guys, would anyone have the size info for Camloc screws for the cowling latches. I contacted Aircraft Sprue and they said I need to add up the total thickness. Just hoping someone already knows the size.
Thanks, Don
'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.
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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Re: Cowling Camloc
Sorry, it's a1949 Cessna 170A. I've seen this done on other 170s as well.
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Re: Cowling Camloc
i have 3 cam locks [-5] along the leading edge of the cowl and 3 along the bottom of the cowl and they are [-6] and one on the trailing edge of the cowl and that’s a [-4]. BUT be warned yours might be different in thickness to mine . I have a total of 7 cam locks holding each 1/2 cowl down. I created my own approval for the authorities. I saw the results of a cowl opening in flight and it’s scary to say or look at. . There was even a photo of this on the internet for some time . It was a Cessna 170. with sharks teeth painted on the cowl.
PS. my inlet cowl [STC] is made of fibreglass. My cessna 170a has a pressure cowl with a STC.
PPS. Come to the convention and I will bring some camlocks for you .
PS. my inlet cowl [STC] is made of fibreglass. My cessna 170a has a pressure cowl with a STC.
PPS. Come to the convention and I will bring some camlocks for you .
- brianm
- Posts: 148
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Re: Cowling Camloc
Do you have the Dip Davis cowl latch mod? Mine came with -3 camlocs but I found that -2s worked better on my airplane. See this thread for more info: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=15842Dferr34 wrote:Sorry, it's a1949 Cessna 170A. I've seen this done on other 170s ass well.
Brian M
N2669V - '48
N2669V - '48
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Re: Cowling Camloc
I'm going to the plane today. I'll get some pics. I don't have the Dip Davis mod.
Thanks, Don
Thanks, Don
- n2582d
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Re: Cowling Camloc
Thanks, I tried to upload the pictures I have but the file was to large. I tried to reduce it and then it was the wrong size. Anyway, I ordered what I thought should work from Aircraft Spruce a -9 but it's to big. I'll have to send back and try for another size. The -9 had a diameter of .344 I need a .250. If I can figure out the photo problem I'll post them.
Thanks, Don
Thanks, Don
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Re: Cowling Camloc
This is what I'm getting when I try to upload a picture. I tried resizing, it was smaller. Nothing seems to work.
The image must be at least 0 pixels wide, 0 pixels high and at most 2000 pixels wide and 2000 pixels high. The submitted image is 2188 pixels wide and 4000 pixels high.
The image must be at least 0 pixels wide, 0 pixels high and at most 2000 pixels wide and 2000 pixels high. The submitted image is 2188 pixels wide and 4000 pixels high.
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Re: Cowling Camloc
Sometimes if you email the picture to yourself the email system will reduce the size sufficiently. This works for me. I send the picture to myself via AOL and then store the result. Then use that result to post on forums. I do everything on iPhone and iPad so this is the easiest way for me.
Rich Giannotti CFI-A. CFI-I SE.
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Re: Cowling Camloc
I have a 1949 170A. The left half of my Cowling blew open in Flight last week. It ruined the half of the cowling that blew open. The only replacement I have been able to find is off of a newer 170A. I’m wondering if anybody knows what the difference is between these cowlings. The parts manual shows serial number 18003 to 19200 listed as part number 0552000–4 and from 19200 on part number 0552001-4. Would really appreciate the help if anybody knows and recommendations to keep this from ever happening again. Are the cam locks in this thread a good idea? Or something else?
- Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: Cowling Camloc
Joshwha, as far as I know there is no change from the top of the cowling from before serial 19200 and after. In fact popular belief is they were the same from 48 to and including the 1952 B model.Joshwha wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 9:32 pm I have a 1949 170A. The left half of my Cowling blew open in Flight last week. It ruined the half of the cowling that blew open. The only replacement I have been able to find is off of a newer 170A. I’m wondering if anybody knows what the difference is between these cowlings. The parts manual shows serial number 18003 to 19200 listed as part number 0552000–4 and from 19200 on part number 0552001-4. Would really appreciate the help if anybody knows and recommendations to keep this from ever happening again. Are the cam locks in this thread a good idea? Or something else?
Yes, in my opinion an early cowl which does not have some additional method to secure the latch closed, as least on the front two latches but preferably all 4 latches, is unairworthy. There are several methods some more elaborate that can and have secured the latches closed. The most elaborate and expensive to accomplish being the Dip Davis STC'd mod which removes the original latches entirely. There are other threads that detail the easier mods.
CAUTION - My forum posts may be worth what you paid for them!
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
Bruce Fenstermacher, Past President, TIC170A
Email: brucefenster at gmail.com
- gfeher
- Posts: 591
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Re: Cowling Camloc
I added the Bird Dog features to the cowl latches on my ‘52 170B. See this thread. viewtopic.php?f=24&t=14156&p=133575#p133575. It was a pretty easy modification. You should be able to get the U-shaped pieces from Air Repair. Some don’t like the external clips, but I don’t notice them any more and the cowl is secure.
Gene Feher
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
Argyle (1C3), NY
'52 170B N2315D s/n 20467 C-145-2
Experimental J3 Cub Copy N7GW O-200
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