The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Yesterday during flight my windshield cracked and therefore needs replacement. I planned to replace this windshield with a one-piece windshield anyway and we planned to do it at the same time when we install the float kit and the V-brace. Now I do have a few questions:

1) Does anyone have the part number for the V-brace needed for my 1952 C170B? Where can we get it?

2) Any information about all the other parts for the float kit?

3) . . . and a more basic question: Is it a smart move to install a float kit in my 170? I do have the AVCOM O-360 conversion and the bird is in nice condition, however, I wonder if this is the right way to go?!

Thanks for any information
Ed

I have wanted to do the same but I have been unable to find the parts. I have collected a few but again they are had to find unless you come across a wreck. your location with respect to Atlee Dodge makes them a good starting point for the brace. I don't believe its required but common sense says its a good idea. Some parts are available from Cessna, and they do make parts if you ask but that takes bucks. Say hello to Chris McCulloch if you run into him, for me.

All 170 windshields are "one piece". The originals are just reinforced with a center strip. Removal of the center-stip requires beefing up the upper edge to prevent the windshield from departing the aircraft in flight.

Many early aircraft had "two piece" windshields. When one of them crazed and req'd replacement....normally the other did as well. Even if not the case, the center stips frequently had to be removed to replace only one side...so most folks replaced both sides whenever either side need it. This led to the idea of "one piece" windshields. (Why have two seperate windshields if they usually both req'd replacement anyway?)
Therefore, in many aircraft, a "single-piece" windshield was an actuality...not a misnomer.
Since single-piece windshields did not require the framework/center-strip in those aircraft, it was deleted. The view was deemed to be improved as well.
But in the 170, the centerstrip was a method used to retain the windshield for safety purposes...not to hold the edges to two separate screens.
I used to think a one-piece windshield was the thing to do. Now I feel differently. I feel the original method of installation is stronger, and therefore better. (The view is not restricted in any significant way, "in my view". Pardon the pun.) I recall now with shame-of-former-ignorance when (at the time I was a "speed-slope windshield-ed Baron owner) fellow TIC170A Member (and SWA asst. chief pilot) Danny Hopkins brought his pretty B-model out to my place, and I asked him why he didn't install a "one piece windshield" in that 170! Boy...what a goof I must have appeared to him.
But being the gentleman he has always been, he did not make any big deal of my ignorance and simply moved the subject onto another matter.
(Hint. Hint. all you guys....)

The V brace is not part of the float kit and will require a field approval.

Good luck.

I got all the parts for the float kit over a period of years. 80's 90's. Then sold it complete for around 2000.00. The first place to start is a Cessna dealer and see what is still in stock. Then start looking at wrecks. Everything you need is listed in the parts book.

I can't imagine what it is going to cost now days for the parts

Just noticed your in Whitehorse don't know how you get a V brace installed over there?

There are other issues with the V-brace. A steel V-brace affects the nearby magnetic compass, introducing a whole 'nuther set of inaccuracies. (Although I've heard of a stainless V-brace which, of course, would have minimal effect.)

gahorn wrote:There are other issues with the V-brace. A steel V-brace affects the nearby magnetic compass, introducing a whole 'nuther set of inaccuracies. (Although I've heard of a stainless V-brace which, of course, would have minimal effect.)

All of the V-braces I have messed with where Stainless. There was a guy in Anchorage that was making them I don't know what happened to him.
His name was Rod Russel. Maybe some of the big city folks down south know? Call Atlee.

F. Atlee Dodge (907)344-1755 has "V" braces for the 170. Rod Russell does not make them any more. The "V" brace is recommended for floats and ski operated aircraft. It is standard equ. in all models of 180,185, and 206 aircraft.The compass error, "if" it is an issue, can be corrected,, a lot easier than a cracked windshield. FAA sign off also is not a issue. :D

Thanks for all the information and help - after one year wuth my 170 I am still learning! I sure appreciate the privilege of having access to an amazing source of information.

I will contact Dodge-Atlee to find out more about the V-brace. Since I plan to go to Anchorage for the airmans show next week end I'll certainly will ask around there as well.
As for the other parts, I'll keep my eyes open and start contacting dealers and repair shops.

If anybody has any or all parts of a float kit I would certainly like to hear from you.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Ed

Green Bean wrote:.....FAA sign off also is not a issue.

Perhaps not in Alaska.... but down in the lower 48 ANY field approval is "an issue".

gahorn wrote:

Green Bean wrote:.....FAA sign off also is not a issue.

Perhaps not in Alaska.... but down in the lower 48 ANY field approval is "an issue".

I don't want to do field approvals anymore they are a P. I. T.A.!

Ed, the float kit parts are no problem to find. I just looked up all of the parts on cessnaparts.com and they have them all in stock. Total price is $2,927.92. If you do some searching you can probably find some of the parts cheaper. Typically you can get it down to about $2,500. A few years ago I found all the parts for about $1,500 at one parts dealer but they are no longer in business. Good luck.
Shawn

Yep. If you can get approval for them at all...they're slower than molasses.

(There was a mamma mole, a papa mole, and a baby mole. They lived in a hole outside of a farm house out in the country.

One morning the papa mole reached his head out of the hole and said, "Mmmmm, I smell sausage."

The mama mole reached her head outside of the hole and said "Mmmmmm, I smell pancakes."

The baby mole tried to reach his head outside the hole but couldn't because his parents were blocking the way. The baby mole said, "The only thing I can smell is molasses."

Ed, so far every parts dealer I have checked with stocks all of the parts. I have checked four different ones. Looks like you can save a little over $100 by checking around. Also you should check Preferred airparts. I doubt they will have very many of the parts but if they have any they usually are much cheaper.
Shawn

George,
You should be ashamed of yourself! I think it would be best if you went over and sat in a corner for awhile.

Three people are sitting in the outer office of the Guinnes(sp) Book of Records waiting to meet the editorial board. The Fairy Princess who is in the running for the most beautiful girl in the world. Tom Thumb for the smallest man in the world. And Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame,
in the running for the ugliest person alive.
After meeting the board, the Princess comes out and announces that she has been selected as the most beautiful girl in the world.
Tom Thumb meets the board next and is selected as the smallest man in the world.
Quasimodo goes in last and comes out looking crestfalled,not to mention
pissed off, and says "Who in hell is Rosie O'Donnel?"

You might also try Ed Peck at PeckAero.com in Bear River, Nova Scotia 902-467-3333. He has a good supply of parts, new and reconditioned. Very knowledgeable. Resaonable prices.