Magneto switch and bungee cords

[edmundcammack]

Hello everyone,
I have a 1940 BC-65 with a Continental A-65-8 and the original magneto switch is worn out. I also need to replace the bungee cords, which are sagging. Does anyone has the bungee cord specs, model number etc? Does anyone have an original magneto switch that works? please see the pics of the old magneto switch.
Thank you

[Hank Jarrett]

I am in Virginia Beach and have the bungee tool if you don't find one closer that can be mailed for shipping cost up and back. I have also fixed a number of the A-7 type switches. Problem is most of them are pretty worn out and have a high failure rate. On my 45 I took a beyond repair switch and used the face plate and handle to hide a modern key type mag switch. The key is potted inside the handle and when the handle/key is inserted through the face plate into the modern switch it looks just like original. When you pull the handle/key out all you see is the face plate and a key slot. I would NOT modify a repairable A-7 like that because they are getting kind of rare and hard to find (not to mention EXPENSIVE!) but it is a good solution for a flying plane.

Hank

[3Dreaming]

Pre war bungee is a 9090 IIRC. All of the original switches I have seen only had two mounting lugs.

[Hank Jarrett]

Didn't open a larger photo of the switch. That is a RARE one! Like Tom said. An A-7 has two lugs. That one is designed to go into a standard round panel hole! This is the stock A-7
Hank

[Mark Bowden]

These switches are repairable. See attachment.

As Hank says if you have one that is in no way at all repairable you can convert one on to a keyed mag switch. Or just put a new keyed one in.
But like Hank says do this only as a very very last resort.

Mark
VA-Vol-31-No-10-Oct-2003 Mag Switch article only.pdf

Scan TOC newsletter #147 A7 mag switch.pdf

[woodmw]

Did a web search on the mag switch and came across this.

https://www.xagylaero.com/oc2/AAF-A7-KIT

[Hank Jarrett]

Looks really neat. Appears to be a plastic material that will not be perfect (LOOKS like a plastic copy) but from a few feet away would look great. CERTAINLY better than the alternative of a regular key switch in the hole or an unreliable A-7! Price is right too! I would only want my A&P IA to look at it before I put it in. I can't see why he wold object since it is really just cosmetic.
Just a bit of sanding and some paint and I am betting it could be a very realistic copy!

Hank

[Robert Lees]

It looks like 3-D printed. But for $28, it looks good.

[edmundcammack]

Hello everyone,
thanks for the replies. Hank, My IA has the tool but thanks for the offer. 3D, thanks for the bungee #. I found an older A7 switch that fits the hole and is working, but i don't think that is the original switch. i have details from the restoration Tom Macarios did in the 80s and he said he retained and used all the original gauges and mag switch. The plane had been in a barn since 1959, where it was placed after being in the civilian pilot training program. I learned to fly in a 1940 BC 65 that was all original as far as we knew and it had the same mag switch as the one that is in mine, the Briggs and Stratton 3Y.. i really want to keep the original switch. For now, the A7 i found is doing the job. If anyone comes across a switch like mine, please let me know. even if it doesn't work, maybe i could combine the two into one good one.
Thanks again everyone.

[Hank Jarrett]

One thing a LOT of us have found is Taylorcraft was often known to use what they had when they couldn't get the regular part. It is TOTALLY believable that they didn't have an A-7 when your plane came down the line but did have a 3Y. LOTS of post war planes got pre war aileron hinge fittings (lucky owners!!). My 41 Deluxe was one of a few that came down when there were no Banjo wheels available. A hand full of planes got a welded tube control wheel. They don't look NEARLY as fancy, but are actually extremely comfortable to fly with. MUCH more comfortable than the post was Pretzels or later cast ones!

Bottom line, not much on a Taylorcraft is subject to configuration control from the factory. If the part on hand was safe and fit, I think they would have used it!

Hank

[edmundcammack]

That's good to know Hank. Thanks. I guess between the depression and WW II they took what they could get.

[astjp2]

Did a web search on the mag switch and came across this.

https://www.xagylaero.com/oc2/AAF-A7-KIT

there is a 2000 hour AD on the ACS switch that they use for that kit, fyi

[woodmw]

2000 hrs will outlast me. I wonder if 2000 hours in most of our airplanes will outlast general aviation. At least as we know it today.

[astjp2]

2000 hrs will outlast me. I wonder if 2000 hours in most of our airplanes will outlast general aviation. At least as we know it today.

14 of the 50 airplanes at work average about 100 hours per month, give or take. Those are just the certified ones, not part of the LSA's

[woodmw]

Don't know what your work is, but I'm guessing, possibly erroneously, that the aircraft are flown for training or commercial purposes. Any guess as to the average flight hours per year of the planes of our forum participants? My guess would be less than 50. My guess for privately owned, privately flown small planes, 2-4 place and fixed gear, wouldn't be much higher. Maybe 75. Even retract singles probably fly less than 100 hrs/yr. I think that aviation as we know it today, will be much changed in 20 years. In 40 years, ??? Will airliners have a cockpit as we know it today? We know what technology was 70-80 years ago. Our airplanes. 40 years ago, still using ADF and maybe Loran. Today, nearing auto land for general aviation? 40 years from now will be mind boggling for those still here. Will our little, simple, 110 year old planes still be around? Will they be allowed to fly? Just food for thought for the young guys.