A65 accessory housing required (UK)

[J Holland]

Evening all

It's a while since I appeared here but Rob suggested I posted a new thread after a chat we had earlier on.

I have recently had oil priming problmes with my A65 to the point where it is a lottery as to whether the engine will self prime or not. It is getting worse and it is time to investigate.

I am anticipating requiring a replacement accessory housing and am pretty confident that the UK will not have any to hand.

Is there anyone out there who can out me in touch with someone who can help please? I have been reading Harry Fenton's website about the small continentals tonight. He suggests Drake Airmotive at Tulsa. is there such a place and if so, do the comapny still oprtate from there?

Any help gratefully received.

Jonathan

[Bobdog]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

You might be able to get by with an oil overhaul kit from Fresno Airmotive. They cost about 250 bucks, plus some machine work. But first, you need to get your acc. case off, so you can see what the problem is. Might even be just a loose intake pipe!!
Bob

[J Holland]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Thanks for the suggestion. Will investigate the second one before we proceed with anything else

[Robert Lees]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

As well as Harry Fenton's excellent site, there is some very useful information on the Sacramento Sky Ranch site.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Drake repairs rear cases and they are $600 or more to do the repair which is a complete rip off IMO. Want you need to do is remove the rear case and mic the clearance between the pump and housing and check for scoring. If that looks ok, then the pump cover is the culprit to blame. I always silk thread the cover to ensure it does not leak as they will warp if over tightened. Also check the id of the pump gear shaft holes for proper clearance.

If you find you do need to replace the rear case, I should be able to come up with one if you can;t find one anywhere else.

Mike

[J Holland]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Many thanks.

I limped it into a reputable engineers establishment this afternoon and am waiting to hear the verdict. They had an interesting collection of worn oil pump gear units so I learned a fair bit from them.

Will keep you informed.

[Karl Rigdon]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Jonathan,

keep a set of wrenches handy and remove the oil temp bulb from the strainer. Have a pump style oil can with a extension so you can put some oil in on top the gears. Reinstall the temp bulb and I will be very surprised if you do not get oil pressure. I have not tried the following however I am told it will work. Index the prop and raise the tail untill the prop hub touches the ground.
I have seen these small airplanes stored in hangers on their nose to conserve room. They use a prop block to protect the hub.
Karl

[J Holland]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Gentlemen

It has been confirmed that I am in need of a replacement rear accessory cover. I have terrible scoring in the gears and the housing has worn considerably. Added to this, it can easily be seen where the system has de-primed itself with oil escaping not only from the gears but also from the gear cover.

So, if anyone can help I will be extremely grateful. There is little chance of me finding what I am looking for in the UK so I will wait to hear back. If you know of any contacts or companies who can help please let me know. I have got the part numbers and have listed them below:


Rear Accessory Cover - PN A-4587 (Old P/N 6717).
Oil pump gears - P/N 3562 and 21343
Oil pump cover - P/N 21160

I will be checking my messages frequently!

Best regards

JH

[Bobdog]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Jonathan,
Don't jump off the deep end yet!!! A lot of the wear you describe can be repaired. These cases can be rebuilt by any competent machine shop and an oil pump rebuild kit.
As long as the outside of the gear to the inside of the case isn't worn too much, your ok.
Measure the inside diameter of the case where the gears go, and then measure the outside diameter of the gears. If there is less than .007 inch clearance you can probably overhaul the case.
The back face can be remachined, and the the area where the pump cover goes on can be machined to get the correct end play clearance back.
The hole where the oil pump shaft goes through can be bushed. The oil pump cover can also be repaired...sometimes just with a piece of sandpaper and a flat surface.

[tabranch]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

I have been given the information that the parts are available:

Preferred Airparts 330-698-0280 in Kidron, Ohio, has the P/Ns 6717, 21343, and 21160.
Pacific Air 661-251-6581 in California has the P/N 3562 gear.

[AndyDuke]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Jonathan,

Anyone know if the gears off a C85 will fit an A65 case - if so I've got a set of gears for you.

[J Holland]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

tabranch - Thanks for the lead. I called up regarding the accessory housing and they have six in stock. My concern is that they are classified as in a "used" state. This concerns me that they may not be any better that I have now. I would be more comfortable sending mine over to get it re-worked. Because of this and because of the obvious lack of availability of "on the shelf" re-worked ones I think I will have to be giving UPS a call in the morning and sending mine across. Thanks for the lead though. It has confirmed how scarce these thing are.

Andy - Thanks too. If anyone can answer that I might be giving you a call!

Regards

[lfries]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Since this is a thread started in the UK I thought I would
hi jack it for a bit. I have a flight student, 16, who is going with
his local high school band to London next week. Perhaps to impress the
girls he would like to know the tower and ground frequencies at
Heathrow. I've tried the internet but must not know how to get the
info. If you can get them to me it would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Robert Lees]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Darn it, LLoyd, you've caught me 12 hours away from flying to the USA for Oshkosh, otherwise I could help.

I'm sure in my absence Jonathan will do the necessary research.

But VERY briefly, this list gives some basic info.

What does your HS student play?

Rob

[tabranch]

Re: A65 accessory housing required (UK)

Google "Heathrow tower frequency"!