Best three mods
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
- Bruce Fenstermacher
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- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:24 am
Re: Best Three Mods
Well I know one thing for sure. You must have a dampened crank in order to be eligible for the 35 amp generator. Whether or not there is or is not a D in the serial number.
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
Re: Best Three Mods
Bruce said it best.
The point I was trying to make is that the O-300-D model, although likely eligible for 35A gens, is not the only one. I was only trying to insure that no one thought that particular "D" was the determining factor.
The point I was trying to make is that the O-300-D model, although likely eligible for 35A gens, is not the only one. I was only trying to insure that no one thought that particular "D" was the determining factor.
'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.
Re: Best Three Mods
If one wished to install a fuel valve drain in place of the plug, why wouldn't one just purchase one of the SAF-AIR drain valves from Spruce or others and install it for about $15.00 and make a logbook entry rather than pay $50.00 to C-Mod supplier?
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- Bruce Fenstermacher
- Posts: 10327
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 11:24 am
Re: Best Three Mods
You could do just that so long as the licensed mechanic signing it agrees. Otherwise you can buy the STC. BTW I bought my two STCs and valves for $25 on ebay some time back. I thought the few extra dollars for the STC was nice even though the STC did not apply to either of the 170s I was going to install them on.170C wrote:If one wished to install a fuel valve drain in place of the plug, why wouldn't one just purchase one of the SAF-AIR drain valves from Spruce or others and install it for about $15.00 and make a logbook entry rather than pay $50.00 to C-Mod supplier?
The STC only covers 170B models (but won't work on the first 30 or so that came with the early fuel shut off)
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
Re: Best Three Mods
My opinion as a dedicated bootlegger is that this drain valve on the selector valve is a nothing modification, and when I did it twenty years ago, I didn't feel that a log book entry was worth the time it took to write it. KISS is the watch word.
If you're really dedicated and apply yourself without reservation, you can make owning a classic old airplane a complicated proposition that will make certain types of people warm and fuzzy.
If you're really dedicated and apply yourself without reservation, you can make owning a classic old airplane a complicated proposition that will make certain types of people warm and fuzzy.
BL
Re: Best Three Mods
I don't know what you mean by "real feedback". (I think everyone's been up-front in this discussion... I have the impression we're being "stroked" here....) But, I think a really useful mod (and one you may have missed the import of) is the disabling of the parking brake.bigrenna wrote:Great replies thus far. ...I'm interested in real feedback....Greg-
As for "anything else" ...I especially like the trailing-edge "bulb" on flaps. And circuit-breaker replacements of fuses!
'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.
Re: Best Three Mods
one of my best mods including most if not all of the above mentioned, was removing the rear bench seat and replacing it with a early 180 seat that I cut in half.I wished that I would have taken pics of the process as it was a really simple thing to do. It has very little padding but is still comfortable for that third person, and makes removing it simple. loading and unloading all the gear is easy as well, total weight is under 10 lbs. Bill
CFZXO 180hp 55170B
CFZXO 180hp 55170B
Re: Best Three Mods
Aryana wrote:.... Do I need to get one off a donor plane or can I fabricate one myself? This will be a one time 337 field approval, right?gahorn wrote: ...I especially like the trailing-edge "bulb" on flaps.
....
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... flapte.php
The easiest way probably is to drill all the trailling edge rivets out, then insert the bulb, drill it, and use a rivet squeezer. Be careful to keep the trailing edge aligned (hopefully with the fuselage shoulder vs the inboard-end of the aileron.) If you don't remove any rivets except T.E. it shouldn't want to shift too badly. (As for documentation...this is one of those that are "in the eye of the beholder"....a 337 is good, but (this is a Cessna part, Spruce states "STC-PMA approved" whatever that means) some relegate this to be minor. Mine was done during complete flap rebuild by a CRS and documented on 337.
Until you get this done, and even-after, to save your hair-do....go down to the Depot (or plumbing supply) and get yourself a couple of tubes of 3/4" foam pipe-insulation which is split on one side (so as to slip over pipes to keep them from freezing.) Slip them onto your trailing edges when you put the bird away at night.
Don't get the ones which are pre-glued....you want the UN-glued, cheap ones.
(Hint: Carrying these around on trips are a perfect reason to get an extended baggage mod...as this must have been what they were thinking about when they mention its weight-limitations.)
'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.
Re: Best Three Mods
I think there are several categories of 'mods' being discussed here.
Some of the mods are for convenience (tail pull handles, baggage door, heat...) and others are safety due to age (solid axles, wiring...) and yet others are just plain safety ( Parking brakes, shoulder harnesses).
Example: I would not spend a cent on tailpull handles until I installed shoulder harnesses and at LEAST checked my axles for corrosion and verified my wiring was still safe.
I'd also spend a lot of time with the parking brake either removing all components of it or making sure it works EXACTLY AND ALWAYS (difficult) as designed before I did any of these. As a person who has set the brake in a crosswind landing, I can tell you it's no fun. Luckily, it wasn't completely set and I had enough rudder and brake to keep the plane straight.
Just a thought. I don't know if I'd use the popularity of items in this thread as a way to prioritize improvements to your plane.
Some of the mods are for convenience (tail pull handles, baggage door, heat...) and others are safety due to age (solid axles, wiring...) and yet others are just plain safety ( Parking brakes, shoulder harnesses).
Example: I would not spend a cent on tailpull handles until I installed shoulder harnesses and at LEAST checked my axles for corrosion and verified my wiring was still safe.
I'd also spend a lot of time with the parking brake either removing all components of it or making sure it works EXACTLY AND ALWAYS (difficult) as designed before I did any of these. As a person who has set the brake in a crosswind landing, I can tell you it's no fun. Luckily, it wasn't completely set and I had enough rudder and brake to keep the plane straight.
Just a thought. I don't know if I'd use the popularity of items in this thread as a way to prioritize improvements to your plane.
Re: Best Three Mods
Air Metal Fabricators hold the STC for this modification. You'll find Karl Anderson extremely helpful. Here's a link to my installation.gahorn wrote: ... Spruce states "STC-PMA approved" whatever that means ...
Gary
Re: Best Three Mods
The problem with hollow aluminum axles is not corrosion. It's sudden failure due to machining stresses during mfr.
The problem with parking brakes is not that they must work as intended. It's that they may be accidentally and unkowningly set by rudder application, especially in gusty x-winds. The only fix is complete removal of the orginal master-cylinder-lever-locking types. (Installation of a different type system is a different subject.)
The problem with parking brakes is not that they must work as intended. It's that they may be accidentally and unkowningly set by rudder application, especially in gusty x-winds. The only fix is complete removal of the orginal master-cylinder-lever-locking types. (Installation of a different type system is a different subject.)
'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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- Posts: 3485
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm
Re: Best Three Mods
Since the thread has gone beyond the "Best Three Mods" to any mods, I'll throw out some more that I like:
Last edited by hilltop170 on Thu Jan 12, 2012 7:15 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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!
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!
-
- Posts: 3485
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm
Re: Best Three Mods
More mods:
Last edited by hilltop170 on Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:48 pm, edited 8 times in total.
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!
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!
Re: Best Three Mods
Best 3 mods? depends on who you are and what you want to do.
Favorite 3? here are mine.
Shoulder belts shouldn't be on the list because you all should have them by now. (The fuzz made that one easy, it will save your noggin, just do it)
the tail pull handle is the best bang for the buck. I use it every single time I fly and it didnt cost much for an airplane part and the installation was easy.
the baggage door is pretty darn useful, especially with my battery in the back.
and on a grander scale, I do like my IO-360
Favorite 3? here are mine.
Shoulder belts shouldn't be on the list because you all should have them by now. (The fuzz made that one easy, it will save your noggin, just do it)
the tail pull handle is the best bang for the buck. I use it every single time I fly and it didnt cost much for an airplane part and the installation was easy.
the baggage door is pretty darn useful, especially with my battery in the back.
and on a grander scale, I do like my IO-360