Engine mount-to-firewall bushing removal for seaplanes

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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minton
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Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:20 am

Re: Engine mount-to-firewall bushing removal for seaplanes

Post by minton »

Yes of course there will be a increase of vibration, no rubber to insulate the engine from the airframe on that end.. good time for new engine mounts and prop balance.

Giving reference to the parts manual, it calls out metal bushings. If you are going to floats or back and forth it's what is required. Also seaplane lip extension on lower cowling.

It's also a good time to inspect behind the firewall and give a look see at the ends of the engine mount stringers. I have found many that either have cracking in the stringer radius where the machined fitting rivets up (normally under the fitting @ outboard side radius) or intergranular corrosion gets going on that fitting. This is very difficult to spot so remove obstructions, clean the environment and use a strong light source and mirror to inspect. Bolt being removed helps a lot. Also elongated bolt holes caused by loose bolts. All three require replacement. No repairs are authorized.

Changing the bushings? yes support the engine and do one at a time but back off all 4 bolts to the last few threads you may need to unleash two depending. Engine mount may spring out of alignment when the bolt comes free but is easily muscled back into position with two or three gorillas and a ratchet strap or two. :lol: Supporting the plane in two point, level, really helps. Oh, Pay attention to the bolt length requirements as well as any extra washers and type of nuts (parts book). You are ensuring that you don't thread lock and are able to torque properly with your recently calibrated torque wrench. :D
adedominicis1987
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:11 pm

Re: Engine mount-to-firewall bushing removal for seaplanes

Post by adedominicis1987 »

Hey all,
I see this is an older thread but I was wondering if anyone had a copy of a 337 for either the cessna aluminum bushings or the seplanes west bushings? I did a search of the members area and the 170 parts book with no success
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n2582d
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Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 4:58 am

Re: Engine mount-to-firewall bushing removal for seaplanes

Post by n2582d »

In my opinion it's a minor alteration which does not require a 337 form. You'll find the bushings listed in the C-180 IPC where they replace the same rubber bushing part numbers as in the C-170. I'd agree with Minton where he writes,
minton wrote:This refers to US A&P's & A/I's only: According to my PMI C-180 aluminum bushings can be substituted and log book sign off used. It's not a major alteration and doesn't impact the airworthiness in a negative way. ...
Acorn Welding sells these bushings. See also this thread.
Gary
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c170b53
Posts: 2560
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 8:01 pm

Re: Engine mount-to-firewall bushing removal for seaplanes

Post by c170b53 »

Just info, I’ve gone back to rubber, ( New) whilst I was doing some engine work and I cannot tell the difference, vibration wise.
Seems my Lycoming is happy to shake away :D
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
adedominicis1987
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:11 pm

Re: Engine mount-to-firewall bushing removal for seaplanes

Post by adedominicis1987 »

c170b53 wrote:Just info, I’ve gone back to rubber, ( New) whilst I was doing some engine work and I cannot tell the difference, vibration wise.
Seems my Lycoming is happy to shake away :D

Mine was not a vibration issue as much as when I removed what seemed to be a good bushing, you could tell the bolts were beginning to contact the firewall. I don't much care for problems I cant see. :)

Thanks everyone for their responses. Its good to have a community of knowledge to fall back on
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