Progress on 88M

[mhorowit]

Well, had my first hours of 'quality time' with 88M.
Followed the groups advice about bringing up the compression; I"ll report tomorrow on the results I'm not quite finished.

Washed out the oil screen and didn't see anything scary.

Opened the gas line input to the gasalator and opened the main valve; nada.
Blew into the main tank filler and water began to flow. Somewhere between 1/2-1 gal of water came out before I started to see AvGas flowing. From then on I put whatever came out in 5 gal containors. This AvGas has sat for three years so may not be volitile enough to run in my car; any suggestions for how to get rid of it?

Tomorrow I'll go back and clean the gasalator and finish up with the compression problem. And syphon more old gas from the main tank. Got to get the wheels on wood planks so I can see if they will hold air; remove the floorboards, think about the brakes.

Found what I think is considerable rust on a cluster on the lower longeron, about 12" behind the pax seat; I'll bring it to my A&Ps attention.

This are looking good; nothing required gut-wrenching twisting. - More as it develops. - MIke

PS - beside removing the upper cowl covers so they don't wack me on the head every time there is a breeze, anyone have a scheme for securing them when the boot cowl is off?

[crispy critter]

Re: Progress on 88M

PS - beside removing the upper cowl covers so they don't wack me on the head every time there is a breeze, anyone have a scheme for securing them when the boot cowl is off?[/QUOTE]


Mike, If you remove the boot cowl the the top cowl has nothing to fasten to,in fact to remove the boot cowl you must forst remove the engine.
Good to hear your enjoying your new found friend. If I get time next week I would like to come down and take a look at it with you just to have something to do.I need to get out of this damn hanger for a day before me and Crispy start to fight....the last 3 weeks day and night has all been devoted to Crispy and we just need a day apart to settle my nerves.I think she's going to make it to Alliance this year. I'll paint trim on the fuslage and tail this week and try to paint the wings next week.Dad's coming right along with the insturment panel.....she's really starting to come together .It's about time after 6 years .

[mhorowit]

Re: Progress on 88M

PS - beside removing the upper cowl covers so they don't wack me on the head every time there is a breeze, anyone have a scheme for securing them when the boot cowl is off?

Mike, If you remove the boot cowl the the top cowl has nothing to fasten to,in fact to remove the boot cowl you must forst remove the engine.
Good to hear your enjoying your new found friend. If I get time next week I would like to come down and take a look at it with you just to have something to do.I need to get out of this damn hanger for a day before me and Crispy start to fight....the last 3 weeks day and night has all been devoted to Crispy and we just need a day apart to settle my nerves.I think she's going to make it to Alliance this year. I'll paint trim on the fuslage and tail this week and try to paint the wings next week.Dad's coming right along with the insturment panel.....she's really starting to come together .It's about time after 6 years .[/QUOTE]

Then I"m mis-identifying parts; I'm talking about the bowl shaped piece that you have to take off to drain the oil and it's also the part with the non-moving halfs of the steamer trunk latches.

Let me know a day or so before you come down so I can advise the boss that I have the flu.

Not this weekend as I have a 'procedure' (involving what looks like a borescope) and although they assure I'll be up an walking in :30, I'm probably going to be a wimp and get as much sympathy as possible.

Plan for a weekend so we can take you out to supper; plan on staying on the VA side of the river; or, there is no reason you shouldn't go right to St.Mary's . Of course, then I couldn't take you to see where her ultimate home strip will be.

Of course, we could say "screw 88M" and go to the Smithsonian out near Dullas, where they do restorations (Udar-Hazy?) and I could show you my secret dumpster where I get all my scrap steel for welding. Hell, we could have a great time. Let us know and we'll find a hotel room for you (sorry, the spare bedroom is filled with "stuff".

- MIke

[NC36061]

Re: Progress on 88M

Mike,

You are referring to the lower or bottom cowl, whatever you want to call it. The boot cowl is the firewall and sheet metal back to the door posts. Open the top cowls and clamp them together with a couple of clamps. This works good to keep them open while you work on things.

Dave

[crispy critter]

Re: Progress on 88M

Mike,
I agree with Dave on all parts and ideas. As for coming down there......I have a Comanche 250 that puts me less than 2 hours from you and I just wanted to get out of the hanger for a couple of hours and watch someone else do all the work.

[mhorowit]

Re: Progress on 88M

Mike,
... I just wanted to get out of the hanger for a couple of hours and watch someone else do all the work.

Why sure! gimme a day's notice; we'll look over 88M and tour the 'old pilot's retirement center'; - Mike

[Dick Huish]

Re: Progress on 88M

Mike, you're making me homesick. I was on the maintanence staff at the USN test pilot school from 1958 to 1961 and lived in Tall Timbers,MD which is not far from Leonardtown.We did a lot of our shopping there. Dick

[VictorBravo]

Re: Progress on 88M

Mike, remove the propeller, un-do all the DZUS fasteners or trunk latches on the cowlings, and remove the nose bowl. You iwll need to do this to get a good look at the baffling and front cylinders. Considering you may need a new or rebuilt propeller, it will have to come off anyway. Remove the screw in the center of the top cowling hinge, just in front of the main fuel tank filler. The entire top gullwing cowling assembly __should__ slide out forward. Put all three cowling pieces (nose bowl, bottom cowl, top cowl ass'y) someplace SAFE where the wind will not blow them around. Good sheet metal is a prize possession for a T-craft... don't let them get bent up at all cost.

[mhorowit]

Re: Progress on 88M

Mike, remove the propeller, un-do all the DZUS fasteners or trunk latches on the cowlings, and remove the nose bowl. You iwll need to do this to get a good look at the baffling and front cylinders. Considering you may need a new or rebuilt propeller, it will have to come off anyway. Remove the screw in the center of the top cowling hinge, just in front of the main fuel tank filler. The entire top gullwing cowling assembly __should__ slide out forward. Put all three cowling pieces (nose bowl, bottom cowl, top cowl ass'y) someplace SAFE where the wind will not blow them around. Good sheet metal is a prize possession for a T-craft... don't let them get bent up at all cost.

WILCO. prop needs to stay on until the compression check, then it gets exchanged for a re-conditionable prop. In the meanwhile, I think my A&P is going to mount something so he can run up the engine. - Mike