what is this??

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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jrenwick
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Re: what is this??

Post by jrenwick »

As noted in the Spruce catalog, "Decalin is not approved for use in the engines of certified aircraft." Too bad.

John
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: what is this??

Post by cessna170bdriver »

N9149A wrote:Gar you've got 275 days till the Benton Harbor.St Joseph, MI Convention. Thats 6,600 hours or 396,000 minutes or 23,760,000 seconds. Should be plenty of time to get the "other problems" and "stuff" taken care off and have "the Queen" at the convention.
Unless the convention next year has been rescheduled for May 18, he has 336 days from Aug. 16. (Date math in Excel) :wink:

Miles
Miles

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GAHorn
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Re: what is this??

Post by GAHorn »

jrenwick wrote:As noted in the Spruce catalog, "Decalin is not approved for use in the engines of certified aircraft." Too bad.

John
Neither is MMO. Nor is common compressed air instead of nitrogen for the tires. I don't know of any windshield cleaners that have FAA approval for aircraft. And ham sandwiches have no approval either but that didn't bother Lindbergh. <<< :twisted: devil's advocate

Not only is Decalin less expensive, it also is twice as concentrated as Alcor TCP and therefore requires half-as-much per gallon of 100LL. And it's safe to carry in the cockpit. And it's available on a dependable basis. I'll admit a certain curiosity about the exact nature of it's carrier-agent. The mfr'r assures me it is NOT alcohol and has no ill affects on engines or fuel systems.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
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hilltop170
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Re: what is this??

Post by hilltop170 »

Maybe someone can come up with 8.5:1 compression ratio pistons for the C-145/O-300 which would need 100LL (and hopefully not blow the jugs off the engine). Then we wouldn't need snake oil in the gas.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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lowNslow
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Re: what is this??

Post by lowNslow »

hilltop170 wrote:Maybe someone can come up with 8.5:1 compression ratio pistons for the C-145/O-300 which would need 100LL (and hopefully not blow the jugs off the engine). Then we wouldn't need snake oil in the gas.
They are available, just not legal. (these are actually 9:1)
http://www.nfspistons.com/productcart/p ... product=51
Karl
'53 170B N3158B SN:25400
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markeg1964
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Re: what is this??

Post by markeg1964 »

I have a polished 170A and use Extreme Simple Green to clean my stains. It also works well to clean the oily belly. It is inexpensive when purchase by the gallon and mixed.
Mark

Twin Oaks Airpark
1950 170A N5528C
hilltop170
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Re: what is this??

Post by hilltop170 »

lowNslow wrote:
hilltop170 wrote:Maybe someone can come up with 8.5:1 compression ratio pistons for the C-145/O-300 which would need 100LL (and hopefully not blow the jugs off the engine). Then we wouldn't need snake oil in the gas.
They are available, just not legal. (these are actually 9:1)
http://www.nfspistons.com/productcart/p ... product=51
There you go--- What's the difference between using illegal snake oil or illegal pistons?

Does anyone have any actual experience with these pistons? Do they reduce the dependability of the engine or is it robust enough to take it? I've seen air racers doing unbelievable things to O-200 engines but have no idea what that does to engine life.

If the engine can take it, I think I would rather do one mod (ie. high compression pistons) and be done with it than pour snake oil into the gas at every fill-up. And a little more pep in the engine would not hurt either on a hot day.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: what is this??

Post by cessna170bdriver »

hilltop170 wrote:Maybe someone can come up with 8.5:1 compression ratio pistons for the C-145/O-300 which would need 100LL (and hopefully not blow the jugs off the engine). Then we wouldn't need snake oil in the gas.
I find myself squarely in the minority on this, but other than a dropped valve 4 years ago (most likely due to plain old age), I haven't had any cylinder problems (stuck valves and rings, and fouled plugs) since I QUIT using snake oil about a thousand hours ago. Agressive leaning seems to have done the trick.

Miles
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: what is this??

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

cessna170bdriver wrote:Unless the convention next year has been rescheduled for May 18, he has 336 days from Aug. 16. (Date math in Excel) :wink:

Miles
You should have realized by how precise I was being that I was giving Gar an early target figuring it would slip a bit.

Actually I did that in Excel. I wonder what I did wrong. Probably garbage in garbage out. :?
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W.J.Langholz
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Re: what is this??

Post by W.J.Langholz »

Miles

In case you didn't know......nothing "bad" ever happens to guys with pocket protectors :wink:


W.
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Loyalty above all else except honor.
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Brad Brady
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Re: what is this??

Post by Brad Brady »

cessna170bdriver wrote: I find myself squarely in the minority on this, but other than a dropped valve 4 years ago (most likely due to plain old age), I haven't had any cylinder problems (stuck valves and rings, and fouled plugs) since I QUIT using snake oil about a thousand hours ago. Agressive leaning seems to have done the trick.

Miles
Miles,
Your not the only one that has found that AGRESSIVE leaning is needed....I wonder if most people understand the term AGRESSIVE.....It's what is needed. Also I CHECK carb heat on down wind....Turn it off....and if I think that it might be needed check it again on base and final....I don't keep it on.....It's just enriching the mixture at slow engine speeds and fowling the valves and plugs...Brad
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: what is this??

Post by cessna170bdriver »

W.J.Langholz wrote:Miles

In case you didn't know......nothing "bad" ever happens to guys with pocket protectors :wink:


W.
:lol: I'll keep that in mind, Willie! I guess I didn't have one with me the day she dropped that valve. :(

Miles
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
hilltop170
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Re: what is this??

Post by hilltop170 »

I agree with Miles and Brad, agressive leaning and mixture management probably keep most problems at bay. The new ECI cylinders with valve rotators don't hurt either. I have not used anything in the gas in the 100+ hours since overhaul and have not had any problems yet. I lean aggresively. I like the carb heat idea also.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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W.J.Langholz
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Re: what is this??

Post by W.J.Langholz »

Can you qualify your statement by stating what alt. you are at when you aggressive lean, along with what rpm you are at.

Never did believe in pulling out the carb heat and leaving it out. I 've done it because I've always wanted the extra power for a go around if needed but it does makes sense not to for your stated reason also.

W.
ImageMay there always be and Angel flying with you.
Loyalty above all else except honor.
1942 Stearman 450
1946 Super Champ 7AC
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Brad Brady
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Re: what is this??

Post by Brad Brady »

W.J.Langholz wrote:Can you qualify your statement by stating what alt. you are at when you aggressive lean, along with what rpm you are at.

Never did believe in pulling out the carb heat and leaving it out. I 've done it because I've always wanted the extra power for a go around if needed but it does makes sense not to for your stated reason also.

W.
W,
Depending on density altitude, you may want to start leaning on the ground (what ever gives you the best RPM) As for a go-around that is the second reason I CHECK carb heat......You should use a check list for everything.......But you don't have time to read any thing on a go-around (everything should be committed to memory) Not having to remember to cut carb heat is just another plus (because it's in the for front of your mind).....But you should run that in your memory on a go-around anyway........Brad
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