Spark plug cowl bumps

[Tim Cislo]

Hello Taylorcraft enthusiasts,

I've had my BC-12D in Hawaii about a 1 1/2 years and have enjoyed every moment flying it. I've recently had both of my spark plug fairings crack apart where they need replacement. Any leads on where I can get two like in the attached photo? My cowls were cut to such a degree that I'll need the exact same type.

Many thanks.

Tim Cislo

[N96337]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Can we get dimensions? I may have a couple like that. You wouldn't happen to know "Kiki Culler" over there, would you? Her Dad Ken, worked for Taylorcraft.
John

[Tim Cislo]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Hello John,

11 1/2 long, 4 1/8 wide and 2 1/2 high...approximate dimensions. The name Kiki sounds familiar...does she fly for a local airline by any chance?

Many thanks for your help.

Tim

[TimHicks]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Great Photos of your airplane. What a dream!
I just replaced my fiberglass cowl bumps that were the same design as yours. See link below. Skip to Page 5 of the thread.

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?10542-N-96872/page5&highlight=cowl+bumps

I've replaced these fiberglass bumps twice and repaired them twice. I got tired of diddling around with them.

I bought the replacement fiberglass ones from somebody on this Forum about 8 years ago. But I can't remember whom. They were $25 each and required a little filling and sanding before they were ready to install.
Tim H.

[TimHicks]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Maybe Bob Gustafson ?

(his handle is mulwyk)

[N96337]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Hello John,

11 1/2 long, 4 1/8 wide and 2 1/2 high...approximate dimensions. The name Kiki sounds familiar...does she fly for a local airline by any chance?

Many thanks for your help.

Tim

Yes Tim, she flies for HAL, If I remember correctly. Really great people!! Her Dad hung the engine on my Tcraft when it left the factory in 1946. I'll try to get some measurements on the bumps I have here...those sound about right to me.
John

[Tim Cislo]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

John,

Thanks. I remember Kiki from years ago...I'll ask some HAL pilot friends if she is still around. Thanks for checking on the cowl bumps.

Tim,

Thanks for the kind words. You really went through some effort! It may very well come to a bit of metal forming if I can't find some ready made parts that fit my cowl.

Thanks again to both of you.

Tim

[TimHicks]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Sorry Tim C.
My intended point was not to say that you should make new bumps out of aluminum.
My intention was to say that I had identical bumps to yours and that I got them from somebody on this Forum.
And therefore, perhaps you can find that person and get some repolacements ones yourself that match your existing setup.

If you want, you can have my old bumps for free. See pic below.
They are not perfect. But if you can't find new ones, they may be better than yours.

If you read my registry entry, you'll already know that this last time that I took them off, it was not because they were cracking. Rather it was because the edges of the holes that they were covering were interfering with my spark plugs and I had to enlarge the holes and cover with a bigger bump.

Tim H.

[mike bc12d]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

When i needed to make the bumps for my plane i made the buck(mold) out of a piece of oak with a wood rasp cutting bit from harbor freight and then hammer formed the alum into it. I used 3003 H0 .032 alum. You will need to take a torch and annaeal the alum as you are working it to shape if you try to go to full depth first time it will more than likely tear. You blacken the alum and with a soft flame heat the alum just enough to remove the black soot off the surface, you will probable ruin a few at first i did but it will come remember the final product is going to be only as good as your buck. I used a rounded plactic hammer but the round end of the ball peen will probable work slow and easy.

[Tim Cislo]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Tim,

I haven't had any luck finding new bumps and I'm parked until I find something. I'll take you up on your offer. My address is 91-1069 Noholike St., Ewa Beach, HI 96706. Please let me pay you for the bumps and shipping.

Mike, with the information you shared and Tim's documentation, I'll eventually give making metal bumps a go. Work has left me very little shop time until late February.

Thanks to you both.

[astjp2]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

I made a set from 3003, but you could use ercoupe ones from univair and make a patch to make up the difference. Hand forming aluminum is not hard with a little practice. Tim

[M Towsley]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Plenty on here about Ercoupe cups, that is what I did on mine several years ago. No bumps, no fuss. If you don't want to replicate bumps just search for 'Ercoupe Cups' and you will find a lot of information on the purchase and installation of these. I always thought the huge plastic or aluminum bumps detracted from the looks of the nose of the T-Craft. My first T-Craft had very small, hand-made, bumps that were barely there.

[TimHicks]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

OK, Tim C.
I'll get these moving towards you.
Tim H.

[astjp2]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

I meant the earcoupe bumps, they are stamped out of aluminum, about 13" long and 3" wide at the flange

http://www.univair.com/ercoupe/view-all/415-40428-ercoupe-spark-plug-fairing/

[mikeg]

Re: Spark plug cowl bumps

Check with Univar. They sell lots of Ercoupe stuff. They may have the Ercoupe bumps, which would work. I used to get my 'Coupe stuff from Skyport in Wisconsin. BTW-the Ercoupe main fuel tank grommet also works very well on our T-Crafts. Saw them the other day, some place for less than $20. May have been Wag Aero or Aircraft Spruce.
Later,
Mike