I admit it, I am an addict

[Randy]

Hello, my name is Randy, I am addicted to antique machines, especially airplanes.

Just parked my "new" 1940 BL-65 in the hanger next to my 1946 C140. I had a great time flying it home from KVUO. It took two stops and several days due to weather and the Thanksgiving holiday. She isn't the prom queen, been sitting for many many years, but after about 4 hours of cleaning and a complete physical she got me home safe with a big smile on my face. Have the log books from day one including a picture of original owner and his wife taken the day they bought it new.

I have many things to learn about the old girl, she seems to be a little cranky on a cold morning, my Armstrong starter is getting quite the work-out. It is probably just my technique. I am sure I will eventually get better at it or end up looking like Popeye the Sailorman

The compass was frozen this morning, I mean as in the fluid was ice, not sure if that should happen, it was not that cold, only about 23 degrees. Maybe the fluid needs changed?

I hope you will accept me into your group since there seems to be no cure for my addiction.

Randy

1st pic is as I found her in the hanger at KVUO, I am wearing the camo jacket 2nd from the left with my little buddy looking on, he loves to fly also.
2nd pic is her seeing the light of day after a very long dark rest, IA standing by waiting for previous owner to start her up.

[Pearson]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict

Randy,

As far as I know you have met the only requirement for being a member of this forum, namely loving Taylorcraft airplanes. So, welcome to the forum. Only us night owls on the west coast are still up right now. Everyone back in the Midwest is probably sleeping right now. The only reason I am still up is I watched the weather forecast and decided I needed to put the blankets on the horses.

I used to be hangared at VUO. Are you at Felts now? I see you are at Spokane. Hopefully we will be able to see some closer up pictures of your bird. From the distance it looks nice. Tell us more about you, and the plane. Is this your first? What all have you flown? How much time in Taylorcraft? Are you a rebuilder?

You will find that there are a lot of good people on this forum, not much in the way of flaming or put downs. No question is too stupid to ask. If you have a question about something, often times a picture really helps. WELCOME!

[Dick Smith]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict...or I own a Taylorcraft and I have a problem...

Randy, Welcome to the Tribe. When I brought my Taylorcraft to Alaska in 1975, I departed from the Mead, WA airport, not far from Felts Field. (I grew up in the Columbia Basin farming area, around Royal City.) There are over 200 Taylorcrafts up here. I just got an email from a friend who brought a BC12D-65 to Alaska from New York just a day or so ago. They just keep coming North. We like our Tcrafts. Hopefully we can be of some help and encouragment to you. Dick

[Howard Wilson]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict...or I own a Taylorcraft and I have a problem...

Hi Randy, glad you are here!

When I first had my BL, I had a hard time getting it to start on a cold morning. It would kick backwards and then wear me out. Adding a couple more shots of prime and pulling it through about 8 blades (with the mags OFF, of course) did the trick, and it would start right up. Also check the mag timing against the # stamped on the engines' data plate.
Howard

[TimHicks]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict...or I own a Taylorcraft and I have a problem...

Awesome.

[M Towsley]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict...or I own a Taylorcraft and I have a problem...

Welcome, Randy, glad you found us. The information and people on this site is/are overwhelming. Many questions you have will have been answered many, many times, (except for that compass problem???).

You will find a search box on the upper right-hand side. Use that to find answers to your questions. No problem asking, but some folks aren't keen on answering questions that have been posted before.

Your starting could cover many things. Magnetos, magneto timing, impulse on a magneto if you have one, carburetor needing to be gone through, not enough prime, too much prime, spark plugs, etc., etc.

My usual starting is one to two shots of prime depending upon how cold it is. You may even need three. I pull it through only three to four blades, as anything after that you are exhausting your prime right out the exhaust. Sometimes just pulling the prop through with the throttle closed will pull fuel, you can hear a squishy sound through the carb box. That may be enough to get you going in warm weather. It was ok for my first two Taylorcrafts, but this current one likes a shot of prime even in warm weather.

So, search away and I know others will chime in. Again, welcome!!!

[crispy critter]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict...or I own a Taylorcraft and I have a problem...

Welcome Randy, always nice to welcome new members. Looks like your bird is still running the 0145 lycoming. These engines are a little stubborn sometimes in cold weather, or any weather for that matter,lol. Probably has a little build up on the mag points or rotor from setting. Could also just need to be flown and loosened up. If the problem persist I recommend going checking the mag out put, carb adjustments, intake seals, etc.

If ya need help or just want to talk taylorcrafts(or just about any other subjects)just ask, you'll always get lots of replies and support from this site to help thru whatever ya need.

[Randy]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict

I used to be hangared at VUO. Are you at Felts now? I see you are at Spokane. Tell us more about you, and the plane. Is this your first? What all have you flown? How much time in Taylorcraft? Are you a rebuilder?

I have a private airstrip about 17 miles south of Felts Field that I share with a seasonal Crop Duster. Not my first airplane, I got my license in 2001, I currently own a C140 that I purchased while I was getting my PP and have about 1700 hours in it now. I have time in a number of different aircraft and types, C150, C152, C172, C175, C177, C182, C421, PA 28, but the ones that I find of most interest are my C140, Lear 25, Model 17 Beech Staggerwing, some time and aerobatic training in a 450 Stearman, and now of course....... 5.2 hours in my new Taylorcraft BL-65. No, not an rebuilder, just love old things. I have a number of vintage cars and even couple of antique tractors to play with when I can not go flying.

Hi Randy, glad you are here!

When I first had my BL, I had a hard time getting it to start on a cold morning. It would kick backwards and then wear me out. Adding a couple more shots of prime and pulling it through about 8 blades (with the mags OFF, of course) did the trick, and it would start right up. Also check the mag timing against the # stamped on the engines' data plate.
Howard

Yes, mine kicks back also, found that a little disconcerting at first but now I kind of expect it so not so bad. I am going to try the mags off thing. I was just priming and starting.

I should mention that I got a lot of extras with the airplane. Wheel pants and mounting hardware, an almost complete spare engine, bungee tool, handheld, and several boxes and plastic crates of small parts/paint/oil/and many other things. The previous owner is getting out of flying and gave me all his stuff.

Here was my solution to the cold yesterday. Finally found a use for a minivan, back it up until it almost touches the prop, tuck an old sleeping bag around the engine and into the back of the van, crank the heat up and it warmed it up very nicely. That is my beautiful wife helping me brush the frost off. It will be kept in a hanger here at home but I had to store it outside that night because I got stopped by IMC weather on my way home from KVUO.

One more thing, thank you for the warm welcome, sounds like a good group.

[M Towsley]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict

Interesting pre-heater, never have seen that.

Good for her, I hope she is involved in your hobby.

[tcraft759]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict

Randy...

If I might add a few tips for you....

1) Always keep your wooden prop horizontal when the engine is not running. If you don't, you will soon pick up a distinct vibration.

2) Always, on the first start of the day, pull the prop through 4 times, once for each cylinder (with the mags OFF). This will easily allow you to detect a weak cylinder before you get air between the plane and the ground.

3) Because you say the plane had been sitting for quite a few years, before the next flight pull ALL of the spark plugs (I assume they're Champions) and check each one for resistance. This is easily done with an inexpensive multimeter from Harbor Freight. If any plug shows more than 5000 ohms, it needs to be replaced with new plugs.... preferably Tempest aviation spark plugs (formerly Unison/Autolite). Plugs which have lost their resistance can cause hard starting, intermittent engine roughness, less than optimum combustion and fouling. The existing plugs may look fine, have the proper gap and show a visible spark, but they need to fall within the less-than-5000 ohm range. Replacing them with new Champions will only address the problem for a year or so and they will fail the test again. This is not a commercial advertisement for Tempest... it is based on facts and lab engineering data. If you'd like, I can send you the links to the tech specs.... just send me your email address.

This gives you something more to consider - and learn - about your new airplane. Enjoy!

Helen Brennan
'46 BC12-D
"Class of '46"

[Mark Julicher]

Re: I admit it, I am an addict

Randy,
Congratulations on your new antique. This is quite possibly the friendliest airplane club on the internet. Consider yourself a full fledged member of the tribe (because this is the locus of all tribal knowledge) and you now have knowledge to share. Post often, we love photos, and trip reports are always a treat.