Just got my Tcart

[DannyDot]

I just got a BL12-65 that has been converted to a C-85-8 engine. It climbs great!!!

There are a couple of things I need to do ASAP and need advice.

There is a large oil leak on the left side. All of the inside of the lower cowling is covered with oil. Probably a push rod cover. What is the best way to find which one is leaking and fix it?

The brakes are horrible. I have read other posts that there is no adjustments that will help. I will need to replace the pads and the cam may need to be built up. Where can I get these items? Does anyone sale a brake overhaul kit that has pad, cam and everything else needed to repair the brakes? How about an STC to go with a completely different brake system?

The engine idles to fast -- it is currently at 700. Idle engine will move the plane without brakes being applied. Makes starting then getting in difficult :tdown: The plane also taxies too fast at idle and constant braking is needed to not go too fast. What is a good idle setting on a C-85? Is there anyway to have the engine running while the adjustment is being made -- such as have the top half of the cowl open and reach under the engine? I am thinking I might need a hit and miss operation of removing the entire cowl, adjusting the idle setting, put the cowl back on and test the results. Repeat as needed.

There is a turn and bank, but it is not even hooked up. No hose from the venturi to the indicator. Any idea on how to build a new hose assembly? What type of hose and connectors can I get that can be built up on the field?


I am based at Pearland Regional airport South of Houston. Anybody know a good AP here that knows their way around a Tcart? I am in a hanger, so an AP that can come to my hanger will work for me.

I know I will have more questions later. Thanks in advance for all of the help.

Danny Deger

[tim]

Re: Just got my Tcart

hey its tim i saw u today any how i told my buddy a&p ia at k&w he said that u would have to take the jug off to fix that leak and about adjusting the carb do it with out the cowl on and the other thing if u want i start next wee at d&n and i would love to work on the tcraft or if u want i can get u there number and u can call em 281- 471 -1188

[lfries]

Re: Just got my Tcart

I had the oil problem you mention. The push rod tubes are pressed into
the head and could be the source of the leak. I'm not sure what the tool is called but they were re pressed without removing the cylinders and the leak was cured.

[tim]

Re: Just got my Tcart

oh forgot when can we see some pics lol

[crispy critter]

Re: Just got my Tcart

Chances are you have leaky push rod tubes.Most commonly they leak around the rubbers where the slide over the lifter boxes(where the push rod tube mates the case). However it could be valve cover gaskets,cyliner base seals,lifter box,case halves,or all of the above. I would recommend pulling the entire cowling including the nose bowl then re-installing the prop,wash down the engine really good,start it up and let it run for a couple of minutes then shut her down and inspect the entire engine closely for leaks,when you find one make sure you mark it and keep looking to make sure there's not any more.Repeat this proccess inspecting the engine carefully until you see where the oil is coming from.Do not run the engine more then 2-5 minutes on the ground because it heats the cylinders up pretty quickly. While you have the cowl off it would be easy to adjust your idle with the engine running or not.

As for the Venturi, they use a standard pipe thread. Clear hose or automotive oops,I mean National Airplane Parts Assoiation(NAPA)fuel hose about 5/16"-3/8" will work great. Just get the nessessary fittings and run your hose.

About those brake..... I didn't know a t-craft had brakes???? LOL. Just kidding....but seriously,good luck with those. There is a few places to get the linnings and springs but I don't know about the cams and such. I hope I was a little help.

I just got a BL12-65 that has been converted to a C-85-8 engine. It climbs great!!!

There are a couple of things I need to do ASAP and need advice.

There is a large oil leak on the left side. All of the inside of the lower cowling is covered with oil. Probably a push rod cover. What is the best way to find which one is leaking and fix it?

The brakes are horrible. I have read other posts that there is no adjustments that will help. I will need to replace the pads and the cam may need to be built up. Where can I get these items? Does anyone sale a brake overhaul kit that has pad, cam and everything else needed to repair the brakes? How about an STC to go with a completely different brake system?

The engine idles to fast -- it is currently at 700. Idle engine will move the plane without brakes being applied. Makes starting then getting in difficult :tdown: The plane also taxies too fast at idle and constant braking is needed to not go too fast. What is a good idle setting on a C-85? Is there anyway to have the engine running while the adjustment is being made -- such as have the top half of the cowl open and reach under the engine? I am thinking I might need a hit and miss operation of removing the entire cowl, adjusting the idle setting, put the cowl back on and test the results. Repeat as needed.

There is a turn and bank, but it is not even hooked up. No hose from the venturi to the indicator. Any idea on how to build a new hose assembly? What type of hose and connectors can I get that can be built up on the field?


I am based at Pearland Regional airport South of Houston. Anybody know a good AP here that knows their way around a Tcart? I am in a hanger, so an AP that can come to my hanger will work for me.

I know I will have more questions later. Thanks in advance for all of the help.

Danny Deger

[DannyDot]

Re: Just got my Tcart

oh forgot when can we see some pics lol

I have tried to get my account set up with the picture to the left of my handle, but have failed. I have foung the place to chage my signature and it has a option for a picture, I have put one there, but nothing shows up here.

Also, is there a place to uplink pictures on this site.

Danny Deger

[VictorBravo]

Re: Just got my Tcart

Make up a set of wheel chocks from extruded aluminum angle, and drill a hole in each one for a string. Tie strong cord onto both chocks and leave enough string to reach the door handle. Tie a loop at that end just big enough to slide over the door handle. You can leave the plane chocked while you get in and settled, then slide the loop off the door handle and pull the chocks in.

Buy some "gunk" engine cleaner at a car parts store. Remove the cowl and propeller as someone already said, clean the engine with the Gunk spray and a steam cleaner, then put the prop on and do a short 3 minute test run as mentioned.

Read Rob Lees' information about setting up the brakes. He has photos and complete instructions. Taylorcraft brakes CAN work when they are set up right! Don't bother with modifying the airplane for hydraulic brakes just yet, one of the T-craft guys from Oregon is working on a bolt-on upgrade STC. I heard him talking about them last May at the Columbia CA fly-in. He is going in the right direction.

As far as the idle speed, just adjust the limit screw so the throttle arm can move about 1-2 degrees further, and test run the engine while the cowl is off. If you went too far you will know it immediately, the engine will quit at about 350-400 RPM usually.

If you have a Bendix Carburetor, I strongly suggest you have it looked at by someone who knows those carburetors. The carb NEVER gets good routine maintenance on most of these old airplanes. Engines get overhauled, mags get replaced, fabric gets torn off, and the carb can sometimes not get rebuilt PROPERLY by someone who knows what they're doing in 20 years.

[dedrekon]

Re: Just got my Tcart

Leaky push rod tubes are common....mine leak, but I don't want to pull the jugs to fix them. A little oil can look like a lot. I thought mine was serious, but the actual amount it uses is maybe a quart or less every 15-20 hours. I just clean everything up at every oil change.

If you do pull the cowling and run the engine, be sure to duct tape (or something) the nose bowl so it doesn't fall against the prop hub.....I've seen it happen.

700 RPM is not that fast of idle speed. Most T's with Slicks idle at or above that. T-Craft brakes suck. You can mess with them constantly and get them to a level of adequacy, but they're never great. On the other hand, we're not trying to stop a whole lot of vehicle, so it doesn't take much. Who was it in Oregon that's working on the STC?

The picture by your name is your avatar. Click on "change avatar" (or whatever it says....going by memory, always a chancy endeavor) and then you should be able to browse your files for the one you want to use. I change mine every couple of months or so.

V

[crispy critter]

Re: Just got my Tcart

IMHO 700rpms is a bit fast for idle on a t-craft.They float like a maple leaf in a breeze anyway. I have put slicks on several A-65's,A-75's,85's etc and never had a problem with fast idle on any of them. If you can't adjust it down with the carb then chances are you have the engine timing way out or some other problem.

[alwaysoar]

Re: Just got my Tcart

New brake linings and my Shinns hold at static RPM. Somebody on B'stormers is selling linings for $55. Skybound (search the archives here for address) seems to have everything you might need. Don't pull your jug before you've checked everything else! There is an expander tool that you can insert into the top end of the push rod housing to deal with loose push rod housing. A&P should have one. Common source of leaks. But you'll have to take out the rockers to get in there, but not a big job. 700 RPM seems ok to me also.

[Jim Doody]

Re: Just got my Tcart

If the push rod tubes are leaking it is not at all necessary to pull a jug to fix them. 2 options without pulling a jug are to reswage them with a tool at the valve cover end by removing the push rod, however the best way to forever resolve that issue is by removing the push rod tube, with the cyl attached and replace it with this, go to http://www.realgaskets.com , click on aviation opposed engines and look for push rod tube seal kit. And while your there buy a set of real gaskets for the valve covers. No leaks forever! Jim

[Pearson]

Re: Just got my Tcart

Danny,

Congratulations! Oh what a feeling!!!

You said you fly out of Pearland??? I thought they closed that airport years ago. Is that the same old Pearland along the east side of Telephone Rd, about 5 miles south of Hobby?

Concerning your oil leak; check the easiest thing to fix first. IMHO that would be the valve cover gaskets. If you find they are leaking, get the red silicone gaskets. They are very expensive, but you can reuse them many times. They will probably be the last valve cover gaskets you buy. You can also get new screws at Fresno Air Parts (559 237-4863). You have to send them a check before they will ship, but they are good folks.

While you have them off you can remove the push rods and reswage them with the special tool from El Reno (old # 800 521-0333) or Fresno Air Parts. But be careful not to do it too much. You can actually crack the push rod tube and make the leak worse. I saw a guy once that, after cleaning the area with solvent, used his finger to work red RTV silicon between the end of the tube and the cylinder. He said he never had another leak after that.

I personally would never attempt to change the idle while the engine was running on my airplane. I think I would turn the screw about a 1/2 turn, start up and see what it did.

Several people have mentioned Sky Bound in Georgia for brrake parts. Until then, you can slow down a lot by opening both doors. Don't forget to steer with the rudder though.

Send pics!

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Just got my Tcart

All good advise, I have old ball peen hammer that expands the outer tube just right, tap it in a wiggle around. that tool is great too! Yes you can ease the lower shroud tube rubbers back and use red silicon, be REAL careful that nothing gets into the engine . Wash , clean , run engine , know Where the leak is coming from!! Idle is never done running, and 1/8 & 1/16 have to be used for the final setting. IF you can find a good old boy that has done it before, USE him...

[barnstmr]

Re: Just got my Tcart

Speaking of the REAL gaskets push rod tube seal kit. Has anyone had any experience with them? Are they a "fix-it-for-good" mod? They are about $300 for an engine set. I am considering this purchase... but they'd better not leak if I spend that kind of cash!

Hope to hear some REAL-life feedback.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Just got my Tcart

I just got a BL12-65 that has been converted to a C-85-8 engine. It climbs great!!!

There are a couple of things I need to do ASAP and need advice.

There is a large oil leak on the left side. All of the inside of the lower cowling is covered with oil. Probably a push rod cover. What is the best way to find which one is leaking and fix it?

The brakes are horrible. I have read other posts that there is no adjustments that will help. I will need to replace the pads and the cam may need to be built up. Where can I get these items? Does anyone sale a brake overhaul kit that has pad, cam and everything else needed to repair the brakes? How about an STC to go with a completely different brake system?

The engine idles to fast -- it is currently at 700. Idle engine will move the plane without brakes being applied. Makes starting then getting in difficult :tdown: The plane also taxies too fast at idle and constant braking is needed to not go too fast. What is a good idle setting on a C-85? Is there anyway to have the engine running while the adjustment is being made -- such as have the top half of the cowl open and reach under the engine? I am thinking I might need a hit and miss operation of removing the entire cowl, adjusting the idle setting, put the cowl back on and test the results. Repeat as needed.

There is a turn and bank, but it is not even hooked up. No hose from the venturi to the indicator. Any idea on how to build a new hose assembly? What type of hose and connectors can I get that can be built up on the field?


I am based at Pearland Regional airport South of Houston. Anybody know a good AP here that knows their way around a Tcart? I am in a hanger, so an AP that can come to my hanger will work for me.

I know I will have more questions later. Thanks in advance for all of the help.

Danny Deger

To find the leak look for the highest and furthest point foward that is wet. That will get you close to your leak. If the cowl is covered with oil, first impression is a loose, badly warped, or you have those crappy no lip rocker covers on it.

Linings are available from Skybound or us, check the thickness of the shoes as well. The cams don't wear out, usually the studs are broke off. Skybound is relining a bunch of shoes for us so those will also be available. from us or them as well.

Idle for a wood prop will be higher than a metal prop. I like it around 450-550 if I can get it there. You really need to remove the cowl to make running adjustments to prevent accidentaly damage to the cowl or nose bowl. If it is hard to start you may have an intake leak as well.

Barb connections from the hardware store are fine for the venturi system.

Mike