indefinate storage of A65

[jgerard]

I have started pulling the fabric off my plane and will soon be yanking the engine back off it and storing it(25hrs SMOH). I have read the continental instruction letter about prepping the engine for storage. I plan on using the dehydrator plugs and fogging the cylinders. I was going to drain the sump and store the engine(everything FWFD) up on its nose in an engine building stand vertically in a heated shop. I see Poly-fiber sells an engine storage oil. Any other recommendations?

I need some good elevators, especially the left one with trim tab. Really need a trim tab. Wait till ya see whats left. Where can a guy get some of that C-channel rib material for the horizontal stab? What about installing tube liners in the lower longerons back at the tail post like the supercubs? I have to replace about 2' of both lower longerons at the tail.

Pics to follow soon, you're going to love this!!

Any idea what fuse mods must be done to comply with the bc12d-85/harer STC. is it just wing mods? Not the model 19/F19 just the 1280 GW, C85-8 short mount upgrade. I may not get a bigger engine for a while, but would like to have the fuse modified as needed before recovering it. Gussets at the wing attach fittings maybe?

Jason
N43643

[crispy critter]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

Jason,
Only Fuslage mod for the BC12D-85 is the fuel lines,5/16" rather than the original 1/4". All the other mods are in the wings.Send me your snail mail address and phone number via email and I'll send you something that will help you out.

[VictorBravo]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

IMHO, the Harer STC is overly complicated and requires too many modifications to the fuselage (and possibly the wings) It requires larger fuel lines (correct and good idea) but you also have to run 3 or 4 new vent lines and crossfeed vents and pitot vents on the fuselage. You're also supposed to poke a hole in the fuselage fuel tank and then weld, solder, braze or whatever a new copper vent line fitting. This can possibly cause a big explosion... or you have to disassemble the airplane far more than necessary and remove the tank. If all fuel tanks have vented caps on them, there should not be a need for cross venting. The Taylorcraft originally did not use two vents per tank.

Experienced Taylorcraft owners (more than one an IA) have shared with me that the three modifications that are really needed are the spar bushings, the welded plates on the strut fitting and the large fuel line. But a very competent structural engineer with a resume a mile long said that the welded plate across the strut fitting is absolutely the wrong way to strengthen it, and was totally puzzled as to why Gilberti chose that method to strengthen it, but that is all wing stuff and you asked about fuselage stuff.

The Gilberti / Harer STC also causes some concerns and un-answered questions about the spar thickness and reinforcement plates at the welded fittings on the spar/strut attach point. There's a real problem with that STC, and some people who have access to the real answers refuse to provide them, despite a huge amount of prodding and rabble-rousing on this forum by me.

So from my personal experience with the STC and with this forum, I must advise you to keep the extra $250 in your pocket, and do your own 337 for the 85 HP short mount 1280 gross version. The "approved data" exists in the form of several previous 337's outside of the STC.

Again IMHO, you should use the 11/16" spar bushing mod with the bushings epoxied in, the welded steel plates across the strut fitting (only because that is what the FAA will recognize), and the 5/16 or 3/8 fuel line. That will give you an overly safe airplane at 1280 pounds. And if you happen to take off at 1500 pounds one day because you're airlifting emergency medical supplies to a remote village in the Republic of Cash-Backistan you will still be more than safe. The $250 you save on the STC will pay for all the supplies and tools you need to do the real modifications.

[paulp]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

Howdy Jason,

The Gilberti conversion(Harer STC) is a big pain in the butt!! Besides the wings, the new fuel lines and the required vent system(for the model 19) is a real challange. The baggage compartment is no small trick either! I have finished mine and I am very happy with it; however, I would rather take a beating than do it again.

[jgerard]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

Thanks gang, luckily I will have the fuse completely disassembled by this weekend I hope.

Jason
N43643

[Robert Lees]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

A ...err.. "friend" of mine did not bother with the vents or the bigger fuel lines. This was because my "friend" could see no advantage. The existing fuel lines will replenish the fuselage tank at a rate greater than even an 0-200 will consume.

My "friend" did not bother with those stupid fairlead bridges, either.

[Dano"T"]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

Rob,

Your "Friend" seems like my kinda guy!

[VictorBravo]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

I propose a toast to the English!

And a toast to Mr. Jack Gilberti...when I get there, you !(#*%#, I have a few questions for you!

[Forrest Barber]

Re: indefinate storage of A65

Oh Boy here we go again. The 5/16 from main to carb is okay but we used the 3/8th later on. the 1/4 to the main is okay. Use all or part of the Harer STC as your IA & FSDO deem necessary. The upgrade to BC12D-85 is part of the TC , & the STC is not necessary. The expert on the shear plates needs to be reminded of the .065 to .091 side plate addition. The shear plate then does its job correctly.
READ the STC and see that this will take all "B" models up to the "equivalent" of the Model 19 which is another TC (1A9) Maybe just use the Harer STC ( or part of it) as the "approved data" for the 337 submiited to the FAA and do your own "acceptable data" for smaller items.
There are many ways to modify these fine airplanes. The factory could be a large help if they would put out kits to do the various mods....