The International Cessna^® 170 Association

"Modified" may mean different things in changing older airplane parts to enhance safety or operational ease. Changing from Goodyear wheels/ brakes to Cleveland wheels/ brakes is a very effective "up grade" and not really a modification.

Modifying the classic 170 by changing out the engine to one from a different mfg, larger size, different no. of cyls, a constant speed prop and a different exhaust systems is not the same level of modification at all. Owners, striving to enhance performance of their stock airplane by adding or changing to newer, better performing parts, while staying nearly "stock" won't be assessed many penalties if they enter a contest where authenticity is a consideration. Bet your money that a plane with Cleveland brakes and newer radios will be considered for awards over one with a Lycoming 180HP or a Continental IO360 210HP and C/S prop installed.

The owners of these "highly" modified airplanes are certain to be thrilled with the outstanding performance they feel is produced by those MODIFICATIONS, but if they fly alongside one, they will certainly notice that their "modified" C170 will not match the performance of a stock C180. The air speed limitation of the 170 is not increased to that of a 180. The payload is not increased to that of a 180 and the short field performance is not any better than that of a 180. Finally, the fuel consumption of the higher HP engines adds limitations to range and endurance unless the plane is "modified further" to carry more fuel. Carrying more fuel limits the payload in the cabin even more.

Different strokes for different folks.

gahorn wrote:Actually, black has a positive effect. The reason your automobile radiator is painted black is so it will radiate heat faster than a lighter color. Seems backwards, but it's true. Lighter colors actually reflect heat, which prevent the heat from departing the object. (The underside of the surface paint is the same color as the outside is.)

According to Loren Lemen of Ly-Con alodined cylinders run 15-20 degrees cooler than painted heads. I wish Alodine came in black to keep with the original engine paint colors.

I have it on good authority the alodine process improves heat-dissipation on unpainted heads because it reduces surface-corrosion which occurs almost immediately to bare aluminum heads open to the environment such as aircraft engines. Painting the heads provides similar results.
(I painted the alodined heads on my Superior cylinders black....but most of the extra cooling provided by that process is lost due to the surface friction components of my high-speed red airplane.)

Did we have Randy Travis perusing these forums? I got a message from the (a) moderator or webmaster advising me that a reply or post had been made to the "valve cover" thread ? ? ? Well Randy Travis' song "Diggin Up Bones" came to mind when I finally found this discussion was started in 2002! Lots of water over the dam since '02! It also has a little exchange of friendly insults about my dirty airplane from none other than our "late" friend Joe. Brought a lump to my throat reading his humorous lines poking fun at us. Many wonderful memories have come my way as a member of this Association. Being with the great people I've had a chance to meet, share time with and occasionally insult, (in a devious way) has been priceless.

Zero One Victor, Go to page 10 Pilot Lounge. Check out N2935D Make Over Debut. That's about as close as it gets. It will be in St. Louis next year without fail.

ZOV hit the silk some time ago over a difference in opinion...like that not going to happen here

c170b53 wrote:ZOV hit the silk some time ago over a difference in opinion...like that not going to happen here

"little" doesn't really cover that flap -b-b-ut - - On one of our forays to the Pacific Northwest, we made contact with Eric and he was an outstanding host for that day.

According to ZOV, he hit the silk over (difference of opinion?) a dues increase.