BC65 exhaust system

[taylorcraftbc65]

Hey guys, I have a question. The other day I was nosing around the engine, and just about freaked out when I saw how close to the heat muff on my crossover pipe the fuel line is. I have a Taylorcraft manual and the fuel hose is coming out the proper hole in the firewall. ( I will include a photo at the bottom of this post ). After trying several combinations of fittings I got the line a little further away, but it is still too close for my comfort. ( I can't figure out if I can load more that one photo per post, so I'll load the after photo in the next post ). Any way, my friend Jim has a complete exhaust system for a C85, (duals as used in his Cessna 140), that I can have if I want them. They are in incredibly good shape, I was going to make a new lower cowl anyway, as this one is sooo patched up it looks horrible. What I need to know is is this a mod that I can do with just a 337, or am I going to need "get a not from C.G. himself" in order to satisfy the FAA?

[taylorcraftbc65]

Photo of fuel line reroute

Sorry it took so long guys. I forgot that I didn't HAVE a photo. So I ran over to the hanger took the shot, modified it for web, and here it is. This is AFTER I rerouted the line.[IMG]http://[/IMG]

[Howard Wilson]

Sabrina,
Is the low part of the new plumbing job below the in-port of the gascolater? Can't be sure from the pic. Just wondering if H2o could settle there and not be drained during preflight then when the tail comes up on takeoff present itself in one big glug to the carb. howard

[taylorcraftbc65]

BC65 exhaust

It's at the same level, that's one of the reasons I want to put the dual exhausts on the engine. I will then be able to run the line straight from the valve to the gascolator at a constant slope without being within a foot of a heat source. Sabrina

[taylorcraftbc65]

Bc65 Exhaust swap

Pulled the stock one piece A65 exhaust system off, BOY what a job. We took out the bottom two bolts that secured the mount to the fuselage through the firewall. Also loosened the two uppre bolts about a half inch. Then got two people on the prop, and picked up the engine, pulling the lower portion of the mount away from the firewall enough to slip the exhaust out. The Cessna 140 exhaust would not work, BUT I had an exhaust system from a Luscombe that slid right on. No crossover will be used, I will make a new lower cowl that is set for dual exhausts. Now I just have to weld up the rest of the system, and fabricate a heat muff on one of the down pipes. Sabrina

[taylorcraftbc65]

What Exhaust is this?

So tell me guys, Is this a atock Taylorcraft exhaust? (This is the one I took off to put on my duals. Sabrina

[David Price]

Looks like one to me!

[taylorcraftbc65]

BC65 Exhaust

O.K., I wasn't sure. Why they didn't put a slip joint in the middle of the crossover, is a mystery to me. It would have been hidden from view by the heat muff, but would have made removal SO much easier. When I'm finished with the system that's going on there now, it will be a snap. Dual outlets at the rear center of the lower cowl.

[Hank Jarrett]

Watch mods to the exhaust, you can get busted on your annual if the IA knows what he is looking at (if you find one that DOES know what he is looking at, treasure him, bring cookies, often, he's worth his weight in gold). Beyond that there is the danger of an exhaust leak at the joint you add. It will be under the shroud and really impossible to inspect without removal of the "Tin" over the exhaust.
You could probably get away with mods since I had to provide photos from Chet's book to prove MY exhaust was original. He assumed mine was home made since he was only familliar with the Cub exhaust, but that only gets you past the "getting caught" problem, not the potential safty issues.
I have a great IA now that likes "old planes" and is interested in finding teh "right" way to fix things. Makes me sleep better.
Hank J

[taylorcraftbc65]

IA's

The IA that we have here used to be a forman of maintinance for TWA. All of his experience is either with big radials, or jets. When I discovered that the brake "horseshoe" on my right brake was on backwards, and that was what was causing the right brake to lock up, I had to explain to him how the brakes worked on a Tarlorcraft. He was very appreciative for the explination, and has never questioned anything that he found on the plane. He knows that I have built seven experimentals, two of which I designed. As long as what he sees follows good design, and construction practise, he is happy with it. My biggest concern is that he is in his early eighties, and when he dies, I'm going to have to find someone who has as much of a "common sence" outlook as he does. Failing that, I'll have to find someone who knows absolutly NOTHING about how a pre-war Taylorcraft is supposed to look. The odds of that happening get better as time goes on.
Sabrina

[taylorcraftbc65]

Cut original pipe?

O.K. guys, I need your helpful advice here. Some of the pilots here say that I should split the factory pipe into a two piece pipe while shortening the heat muff. Some like my "dual exhaust" system with a heat muff on the left down tube idea. And some say that I should move the gascolator from it's stock mount on the motor mount, and move it to the bottom center of the firewall, while leaving the stock exhaust alone. Of all three, I like the third the least. If I ever need to pull just one cylinder, it is a real PAIN to loosen the motor mount and drop the one piece system. I did it once to get the thing out, I don't want to do it again. If someone who knows what they are looking at sees my own system on the plane I think they are going to want to see a LOT more that a 337 for the new system. (GOD, I LOVE experimentals!) In the photo below, I have shortened the muff, and placed a black wire tie to the spot where I would split the system with a slip joint should I decide to go that route. Please tell me your thoughts on this. If the fuel line wasn't TOUCHING the heat muff, I wouldn't have done anything, shy of re-designing the fuel system, that is the way the fuel line runs. Your thoughts on this would be GREATLY appreciated. ESPECIALLY yours, Forrest, and Harry. By the way, If you are reading this Harry, I will be down to the BBQ this coming Saturday to tour the factory, and pick up my wing fairings, many thanks for building me a set.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Other Option

This is a photo of the left side of my possible dual exhaust system. My "faithful assistant" Tee is holding a heat muff at the approximate location on the down tube to where I would mount it. If I had access to the exhaust system for a 7-AC Champ I would use it. It would fit without any great hassles, but there are no good used systems available in my area. Tell me what you guys think of this "solution". Sabrina

[NC36454]

Re: BC65 exhaust system

Sabrina,

I purchased and rebuilt my 1941 BC12-65 in 1986. The exhaust system had been converted to Aeronca stacks (very professional job). I left it that way and have never had a problem. I have had IA's comment on how well the system worked and that all Taylorcrafts should be converted! Maybe one day I'll run into problems at an annual, but until then.........

Ken

[Yellow Duck]

Re: BC65 exhaust system

I have purchased an exhaust system from Sonny Porch and has the split, and is now in two parts for easy removeal and instulation. Made of SS.

Fabricated my baffels, completed now. Came out pretty nice.

Trying to not pay the $700 for for the heater schrouds (Muffs). Ordering Alum tubing (Pipe) from Aircraft Spruce, and will attempt to fabricate a set.

Has anyone done this ?