NC43306 Update

[Mark Julicher]

Here are some pics of current progress on Doc's BC12-D.

The skylight is partially installed and waiting for a hot day to finish fitting it.
Engine is hung and controls were connected as of today. Doc put a gallon of gas in the tank and there were no leaks in fittings nor needle valve. Four quarts of straight mineral oil are now in the sump and we will prime the oil pump before we start the engine.

The interior is installed with new seat cushions and Wag Aero four point restraints. I machine-embroidered the seat back and Doc had a local upholstery shop make up the cushions.

A new windscreen will be fitted very soon.
First engine start will probably be this weekend.
NOS cowlings will be fitted after the engine test run.

Two minor snags were discovered--Ercoupe spark plug cups will not fit into the spark plug wells on Millenium Cylinders. This is easily solved by grinding about 1/16 inch of material from two interfering cooling fins below each spark plug well. The original baffles had to be reshaped a little to fit Millenium cylinders.

[mulwyk]

Re: NC43306 Update

Very nice!

[crispy critter]

Re: NC43306 Update

Great looking t-craft. A little advice that you probably already know but I'll pass it on anyway just in case you don't or for anyone else who might like the info. The first time I installed a windshield in a t-craft I did it with the wings off and when I re-installed the wings I couldn't figure out why the butt end of the leading edges were so much lower then the windshield(at least an inch gap). I had even used the old windshield as a pattern to cut the new one but I had also removed the bootcowl to rework some dents and ugly spots then re-installed with new hardware,etc,etc. I guess by removing the bootcowl,reworking,and re-installing it with all new stuff must have changed the shape just enough to insure the old windshield or a copy of the old would not come close to fitting correctly. Luckily the windshield was too tall rather then too short so I was able to remove and trim for a good fit but had it been the other way around I would have had a new junk windshield. Anyway my point is to make sure the windshield is the last thing you install after the wings are on the airplane. It is a little more difficult to handle around the wings and almost certinly takes two people to do it but you will be soooo much happier with the finish result.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: NC43306 Update

Kevin,
Your windscreen advice is well taken and we shall use it! Yes we did make a new boot cowl and yes I see where it could cause a lot of consternation.

Thanks.

[crispy critter]

Re: NC43306 Update

Just glad I could help someone prevent the same mistake I made. Beautiful job on that t-craft. I have all the stringers re-installed on Crispy,hope to start sticking fabric in the morning. I'll try to post some pics this weekend.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: NC43306 Update


Yes! Please post photos of Crispy. It seems like every time I see someone else's pics I learn something new.

[Buell Powell]

Re: NC43306 Update

Hi Mark-looks like you and Doc may have that good looking T/craft ready in time to fly it to Roger's fly-in this spring--When I find out a date I'll let you know and post it---maybe we can get some Taylorcrafters there this year.
Buell

[crispy critter]

Re: NC43306 Update

Here's some pics of Crispy I took this morning.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: NC43306 Update

Looking good Kevin!
I'm sure the whole tribe is now doing a pre-cover inspection on Crispy.

[Doc]

Re: NC43306 Update

Mark is being reticent today...we had some big changes. Lit the fires on the 0TSMOH A658F --> fired off after 3 blades, but no oil pressure even though we pre-oiled. Disassembled the oil pressure line system and verified that it was open. Finally determined that I had a defective new gage. I pulled a NOS gage off the shelf that tested OK, reoiled the engine through the temp sensor hole and the oil pressure line, and the engine fired up once again --> with oil pressure, BUT without any tachometer reading. So...the tach and engine attachments, and both of the right angle drives were checked, rechecked, and rechecked. Finally determined the tach drive cable was ~ 1/4 to 1/2" too short for the right angle drive on the instrument...we will rework. Did I mention the wrongly built Skytronic upper deck ignition leads? I have "Ercoupe cups" and supplied Skytronic with the original harness and asked that the plug nuts match the original upper deck leads. Both the original and new harness came back...the new uppoer deck leads had the wrong nuts. That part of the harness went back to California today. Oh well, we at least finished the skylight tiedown clips. Tomorrow...wings should be mated if our other halves give us the green light. Doc

[lfries]

Re: NC43306 Update

Been thru to wrong nut for the cups. I don't think they have them.
If I can find my die I can loan it too you. With a little filing down of the
cup threads and using the die your'll never have the problem of the wrong nut. May be Monday until I get to the airport.

[bashibazouk]

Re: NC43306 Update

Been thru to wrong nut for the cups. I don't think they have them.
If I can find my die I can loan it too you. With a little filing down of the
cup threads and using the die your'll never have the problem of the wrong nut. May be Monday until I get to the airport.

I've been thinking of going with the cups and no blisters if I ever get my cowl rework done. Can I get a positive read on Ercoupe cups? I've heard enough negative stuff about them! I'd sure like to have a nice, smooth cowl like all the cool kids.

Josh Brehm

[Doc]

Re: NC43306 Update

Thanks for the offer on the correct nuts...I sent my original nuts back to Skytronics and asked them (again) to rework the harness with them...we will see. Josh, the upside is no blisters...the downside is that the unshielded sparking plays havoc with your radio. I had tried magneto filters in the past...poor results. Since I like flying better than talking, I opted to go back to the short plugs and the cups on this rebuild. My cups are flat on top with threaded lids that can be safety wired. The TC we rebuilt last year had rounded cups with wire bails...very pretty. Most people have not seen the cups and always ask about them. Doc