removable header tank for easy access, very good
rudder pedals need to be replaced with adjustable, at this stage, changing out the rudder pedals would not
be a huge project and, in my opinion, the adjustable rudders are far superior
not just because they're adjustable but because they require a much
narrower subfloor. The subfloor then can be lowered making for more shin room
under the panel and a more comfortable leg position for most
folks.
needs interior, fuel lines, magnetos (I'll go with electronic),
yes, consider P-Mags
gear door installation, elevator trim wiring, paint and some
misc. parts,
0 time overhauled O-320 including Rotec Throttle Body
Injection,
Hmmm, zero timed means that it was rebuilt by Lycoming in
Williamsport, PA. They put a Rotec Throttle Body on it???? Who really did
the overhaul? As an A&P, you know that there can be vast differences between
a "shade tree" overhaul and a factory or other reputable shop overhaul. 1st
overhaul? New or overhauled cylinders? New camshaft?
prop gov, new fuel pump, 0 time Hartzell HC-82VL-1 prop with
spinner
(has an AD on the shank that needs to be inspected (cost unknown), Obviously you'll check this out before making an offer.
dual Narco digital comms, Narco 890 DME, Narco transponder, 7" TFT
touch
screen running Mountain Scope, Narco Nav 11, audio panel with intercom,
full
flight instruments, engine instruments and fuel management/ Sounds a little like these may be some older radios. Do you
really want a DME today? What is a Mountain Scope? If this is Blue
Mountain...lots of guys have had a bunch of trouble with these. What do you mean
by "fuel management"?
gear panel,
ailerons still open, I'd estimate less than 20 degrees swing
on the rudder
but he said the vertical fin trailing edge can be trimmed to
adjust, Make damn sure that the rudder travel
restrictions are just due to needing a little skin trimming. This is an
important one.
left
rear window still out for easy access. good, easy to put in later
All the workmanship appears to be
pretty good and I have a lot of
composite experience so I think can judge
it. Excellent, good workmanship is way more important than equipment,
etc.
In my opinion I think it's probably a good winter project to finish it. Yep, the only question is how many winters :-)
Any thoughts you may have on what else to look for/at would be
appreciated. Does it have small or MKII tail? As you
have seen, there is plenty of opinion on both sides of this question. As you
know, I prefer the small tail but even I wouldn't pass up an otherwise good
deal just because it had a big tail. On the other hand, I wouldn't pay a
dime more for a big tail.
Does it have the long engine mount. The original small
mount pushed the accessory case right up to, and in some cased through, the
firewall (remember the "dog dish" for the governor?) The long mounts are getting
pretty hard to find. I'd consider the long mount to be a strong
positive.
Does it have the "Ong's deboingers"? The original rubber
doughnuts are quite hard and provide very little shock absorption. I'm not sure
if Tim is still making the deboingers, anybody out there know?
Is the header tank closed out yet? If so, were provisions
built in for float switches so that you can fabricate an automatic system to
keep the header between full and almost full without pilot intervention? An
automatic system is very easy IF you have the float switches built in.
If closed, run a pressure test on it (will it hold 1 psi overnight?)
Provisions for sight gauge?
Forward hinged canopy? This seems to be the preferred
configuration and offers several advantages.
I'm sure that you'll get many more hints and suggestions
from the members of this august body, but these are the few that I could think
of.
Bill Harrelson
N5ZQ 320 1,800 hrs
N6ZQ IV under construction