C-85 Upgrade

[mohawktipi]

I have a 1943 Taylorcraft L2-B with an A-65-8. I have just purchased a C-85-12 for an upgrade. Does anyone have suggestions for getting the 337 completed?

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

My understanding is that the FAA has stopped signing off paperwork regarding this engine 337. They are waiting for the STC which is written and awaiting final sign-off... this has been going on for last several months. Terry Bowden will have the STC. Call him at 254-715-4773. Terry is a double good guy... that said, I'm waiting for the STC too. I put a C-85/w0-200 crank in my L2, last June. It was done by a AI that had done 12-13 previously... and the FAA had signed off the 337... all the same... without problem. BUT on my upgrade -- The paperwork has been in the FAA Blackhole-dark-matter-far-side-of-the-moon filing cabinet since last June. Because of the way my annual falls... I'll be grounding my plane at the end of this month.

By the way the FAA is way behind on everything. I was part of a lawsuit. We needed a Freedom of Information Act request filled by the FAA. I made the request 2 years ago. I followed it up with numerous phone calls and further FOIA requests. These are supposed to be taken care of in 90 days. Anyway, 2 years late... I get a phone call from a FAA person. She called yesterday. I'm not kidding she called me yesterday. She says they've been backed up and wondered if I needed the FOIA report any longer. I said no... the lawsuit is long over... about 1 year ago, over. She said, "then I can mark the request as completed and our work finished." (read FAA butt covering we did our job... when they didn't come close by a mile and perform a damn thing for 2 years.) I'm not bitter about the FAA for either of these problems. I'm just figuring they are working at a level of incompotence that is not just below standards... but setting new standards of stupidity and on a Federally grand scale. If anyone at the FAA would like to speak to the issue... I'll gladly accept your call. This shouldn't become a bash the FAA thread. The facts I've laid out are true. Compliance is becoming predictably futile and that's always bad for everybody. Bad for your Agency, bad for those of us who believe in compliance, bad for employee morale... eventually it will be bad for safety. When that happens and people die... it's on you!
With regards; ED OBRIEN

[mohawktipi]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Thanks for the quick reply. I may go ahead and upgrade the engine while I am waiting for the STC.

[mohawktipi]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Ed:

The number you gave for Terry Bowden is disconnected. Any other contact information?

Thanks

[astjp2]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Have your A&P submit anyways, if you get it approved before the STC is approved, you will be ok. Is Terry's STC one time or multiple? Tim

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Terry Bowden's number was given wrong. (typo) I've now corrected my post above. Here it is: 254-715-4773. So sorry. With regards; ED OBRIEN

[mohawktipi]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Ed. thansk agaian for your response. I talked to Terry about the STC. It is still pending approval by the FAA. As it turns out, he and I are only about 60 miles apart. WE plan to meet to dicuss how we can help each other. If I get additional information, I will post it.

[mohawktipi]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Terry's STC will be for multiple uses. Besides the C-85-8 and -12, he plans on including the C-90 and O-200 engines if he can work out the details.

[VictorBravo]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Forum members Barnstormer (Terry) and L-2 Gary (Gary) are responsible for this STC. I have seen the original aircraft on which this STC was developed. Well done and well thought out.

This STC will make your airplane a far more capable plane, as well as increasing the value, as well as giving you a LOT more enjoyment and usability. I highly recommend it.

[whake]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

What about Terry Bowden's STC for a C-85-12 engine. Does it require a new engine mount? If not will the starter clear the firewall? Is there any mods necessary for the wing attachment? I am seriously thinking about the conversion. I have access to a C-85-12 and if it comes about I will have 250 hour A-65 available.

[CaptainJon]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Does Terry's STC include any gross weight increase as does the "Harer" STC? Sure would be nice to have an O200 instead of a C85-12.........parts (and whole engines) are much easier to find.........

"Captain Jon" Timlin

[mohawktipi]

Re: C-85 Upgrade

Don't know how engine mount on the BCs will be affected. My L-2B engine mount should allow for clearance but it will require some changes to the muffler position. I may plug the generator opening and use a wind powered generator. This should negate the need to modify the muffler position. As for weight increases, I want to stay within the LSA rules so I do not want to increase above the 1300 lbs of the L-2B.

I plan to upgrade my C-85-12 using O-200 parts to make it a C-90. Get about the same max horsepower but better sustained horsepower. There is an available STC for this upgrade. It uses the C-85 case with O-200 crank and cylinder assemblies.