New Interior going in, what should I inspect?

[sea1dww]

I'm having the interior replaced over the next two weeks. The upholstery guy has taken everything out except the headliner. I told him that I wanted to be on site when he removed it.

I want to see everything inside the airplane without any camoflage. When I get this opportunity, what should I look for? I've read about the corrosion at the wing root and the cracks at the master cylinder. I'm having him inspect and repair and paint the seat frames as necessary prior to installing the new foam and fabric. Are there other things that I should look for as well?

What is involved in adding the 10 degree flap notch? This might be a good time to do it while the seats and carpets are out.

Are there any members near Vancouver, WA, who have good knowlege of what is important to check? Perhaps someone may want to volunteer some help with the inspection? I think the upholstery guy will be ready this coming weekend or next Monday. If no one is available, any feed back will be of great help. This is a great opportunity to give 46C its 53 year old physical. The airplane is a '54 model that was built in November of '53, just a few months after I was.

Dave
'54 B
N1946C
S/N 26091

[N1478D]

Flexible fuel lines that are hidden behind the headliner. If they need to be replaced, it would be a good time to do it.

[blueldr]

It would be a good time to replace the 3/8th in. fuel vent line hoses at the center vent tee at the forward top of the cabin.

[Joe Moilanen]

Dave, I live in Longview, just North of Vancouver. Give me a call when you're in the area. I keep my plane at Kelso Airport or sometimes at my house.

Joe Moilanen
4518C
(360) 636-2974
(360) 430-0634

[GAHorn]

I wouldn't spend a lot of money replacing the sector simply to achieve the 10 degree setting, but... if you do get in there, check out:
http://cessna170.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2231

Look for corrosion in the overhead above the headliner. Check seat tracks for cracks/wear. Check control cables.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

All thats been said plus wiring looking for overall condition. You may also find old wiring that is abandon or never used which can be removed.

Good time to remove and fix any door latch problems as well.

[HA]

and install new coax cable for your comms and navs, and new insulation all around after fixing the corrosion and priming everything to keep it from coming back

[lowNslow]

Agree with all the above. I would also add:

Replace rear windows. This is a lot easier with the interior out.
Replace any wiring you can get to.
Replace that 50 year old speaker if needed.
Inspect the seatbelt attach points if you are planning on adding shoulder harnesses. Make sure the nutplates are there and functional.
Install wiring for built in intercom. If you decide to put one in later it will make the job easier. You can find the wiring diagrams or buy pre- made wiring harnesses from most of the manufacturers.

If you are going to be doing interior painting, taking the flap handle out for painting makes for a better job and gives you the opportunity to replace the ratchet with 10 degree notch.

[sea1dww]

These are all things that I didn't think about.

I might have to bring a mechanic with me for the inspection. There are so many things that might need done, it would be handy to have someone, with the know how, there.

The real problem is that the upholstery guy wants to be in and out in two weeks. If I find problems, it may throw his schedule off. However, now is the time to do things right. A half fast job is what the prior owner did, and I don't want the next guy to say that about me.

Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming, they will keep me very busy this weekend.

Dave