CharlesHuddleston

I thought the strippers were a nice touch, and they certainly served their purpose: lure unwitting young men (or women?) to sign on the dotted line! Final bid was $35k. Yes, there is a JPI 800 on the left. I have been reading all about the performance settings and adjustments, and how important it is to watch those temps. Fortunately, the original POH and the JPI manual were in the back of the plane. Now I get to read up on all the details and how to get the most use out of it!

Thanks to all. Yes, the price was unbeatable! I had been looking at a couple of well cared for F models, when I found this online. It was a huge leap of faith jumping in sight unseen, but as of now, it is paying dividends. The back story is kind of entertaining to read. You can Google Alexander Amor or Fast Train school and get all the entertaining details. He got 8 or 9 years in a federal pen. Oh, and if anyone has a line on a 530W 12V, please shoot me a msg!

So I have posted a lot of questions on the forum about a few different topics that I encountered along the way, but I'm prod to announce that N1157L, a new-to-me 1982 M20K was finally able to be flown home this past Sunday from Fort Lauderdale. The original bill of sale was signed off on May 17, and it took until August 5 to get all the kinks worked out. If it looks familiar at all, it was up for auction by the US Marshal's service. I bought it sans log books, so that was the beginning of the journey. It was missing the audio panel, the transponder, and a GNS530W. I had the proper overhauled to 0-time, 500hr mag inspection, replaced a few lights and the left wingtip lens, had to replace the fuel selector valve (that booger was $2k!), replaced a couple of gas caps, and replaced all the wheel bearings and races. Completed a full annual inspection, and all the ADs had to be re-checked as well. After finally getting the new registration, a new airworthiness certificate, and all the proper documentation in order, we flew home to KSRB. It was a nice, smooth 4.5 hr flight. We stayed at 10,500' as the O2 tank still needs to be recertified. But, found some awesome surprises along the way. It has long range tanks installed, has working electric speed breaks, has a storm scope behind the dash (wired to display on the 530), had a merlyn waste gate and intercooler installed, one piece belly skin, and was hard-wired for Bose headphones in all 4 places! At this point, the only thing left to do is to keep hunting records to try to determine the engine total time, although the compressions were really good, and replace the 530W. That, and she needs a really good wash and wax! This place is a great resource for Mooney-holics, as my wife has basically compared my behavior as of late to that of an addict!!! Thanks to all!

That really sucks! I hope you get your car back, in one piece!!! I know this won't help replace anything, but I just bought a Sentry receiver to use with ForeFlight. Works great and is cheaper. You can check it out. https://foreflight.com/support/sentry/

Ladies and gentlemen, I am seeking some assistance. Again, my new-to-me M20K N1157L is closing in on flying again after being sold to the highest bidder (me) by the U.S. Marshal’s service. Due to the lack of log books, we have been going through a rather extensive annual/overhaul period. I have ALMOST everything fixed/ordered/inspected/overhauled... except for the leaky fuel selector valve. As many of you may know, the K model valve cannot be rebuilt/overhauled as the company that made them did not release any service manuals related to the valve. My mechanic is not budging on installing a used ‘as removed’ one unless it would include an 8130 or ‘yellow tag’ assuring to its serviceability. In his opinion, as this is a rather critical component (and I agree, don’t want it to fail at 15k’) I am in need of a replacement. I found a company in Fort Lauderdale who could acquire an ‘as rekoved’ But would not include an 8130. Per the Maintenence Manual it is ‘recommended’ to be replaced every 500hrs or if it appears to be non-functioning (duh!). A new valve can be ordered for close to $2500.00. So, what I’m asking is: does anyone have a source for a used valve that might come with paperwork, or do I just poney up the $$, and buy a new one. Thanks, in advance, for your wisdom! Charlie

Awesome pic!

Good idea about the prop inspection. I am not commercial, by thought that prop times had to be tracked, and unlike an engine TBO, were more mandatory. Without logs, would an IRAN inspection work to start a new prop log?? Thanks again!

Ok ladies and gentlemen, looking for some more advice. For those that haven’t seen any of my earlier posts, I just moved to the ‘owner’ category. N1157L was purchased after a government seizure, and as of yet I don’t have any old logs or records. Annual is done, squawks are being addressed, compressions were great, and prop is being overhauled. The last inspection item are the mags. Would it be more cost effective to just get them overhauled or simply ask for the 500hr inspection? Trying not to be frugal, just want to be cost-conscientious! Mag failure rates??? I have found some online overhaul estimates, but don’t see any ‘inspection’ estimates. Thanks for the guidance. It has always been so easy to just check out the rental and fly away, but so looking forward to having the freedom, increase in speed, and range!!!

Hello all! We are getting closer every day to bringing N1157L home to Tennessee. Mechanic is sorting through the last of the squawks, and prop is getting overhauled and boots replaced. When it gets home, I’m going to give it a good wash & wax. Is it ok to wash the engine components? On my automobiles, I will use a degreaser and a pressure washer with a low pressure tip. Will this work on an aircraft engine as well? Excited about becoming a new owner!

Just saw this, kinda new to the forum. Do you still have a 530W available?

Mechanic found a leaky fuel selector valve. While looking through the illustrated parts catalog, I noticed O-rings at each connection. I would assume (you know what they say...) that you could remove the selector valve, clean it, and likely just replace the O-rings to resolve the leak. It appeared to leaking at one of the connections on the valve. Ideas? Common place to have a leak? Thanks for your thoughts and comments!

Hello Florida Flyers. I am much closer to getting to fly N1157L 1982 M20K home from Fort Lauderdale to Tennessee. Annual inspection actually went well. The shop is working on some squeaks now to bring everything up to shape. As I still do not have any logs, and there was some vibration during the run-up, I am likely looking at a prop overhaul as well. If nothing else, it will get it to a point where I can restart a new log! Does anyone have any dealings with Palm Beach Propeller? They quoted me roughly $2500 for the overhaul, and an additional $600 per blade should I want them to replace the heater elements (they have been removed). From what I've read, this sounds like a pretty fair market price for an overhaul. Thoughts? Concerns? Comments? As I am planning to use this for cross country flights, I will likely have the heater boots put back on. Thanks for your feedback.

Just an update, and a thank you to all who replied and gave lots of good advice! Shop in Ft Lauderdale has the plane as of this afternoon, starting an annual inspection +/- ferry permit paperwork. Im still waiting on the official packet from the FAA (with records, 337s, etc) so I can track ownership and any old maintenance. Mailed in the new registration. And, I actually sent the prior owner a letter in jail, to see if he is willing to communicate about it. I also sent out a blast of emails to a lot of the Florida maintenance facilities, and as of yet have not tracked down any leads. But, Im still excited about the prospect and project! I realized today when my mechanic sent me a pic of the dash that it has speed brakes installed! That's a nice plus that I wasn't expecting! Now we just wait and see what all maintenance needs to be made up for. I have a hanger space and mechanic here in TN that is going to help me do a lot of owner-assisted work, as I not only want to be able to fly the plane, I want to "know" the plane, inside and out. Having worked through many other projects in my past, I have realized that more often than not, no one cares about the outcome as much as you do! Having said that, I am not willing to take any short cuts!

Thanks for all the helpful advice and leads. I am still awaiting the FAA packet with their paperwork. I’ve got to say, I read DAVIDWH’s reply and had to laugh. Partly because it is funny, and partly because it is spot on! I’m still on top as of now, but know when and where to fold, and recoup without taking a loss! I guess it goes back to that old adage, that there is no free lunch, and if it sounds too good to be true... Charlie

Hello to the Florida group! I just purchased a 1982 M20K courtesy of the U.S. Marshal’s service. Tail # is N1157L. It was seized from Alejandro ‘Alex’ Amor on Jan 11, 2016. Right now it is secured at Ft Lauderdale Executive KFXE. Apparently it was based at KTMB, Miami Executive. I was able to speak with his ex-wife who said that her oldest son apparently absconded with the logs. Attempts to contact him have been met with ‘they were lost in a fire, stolen, etc’. I did offer a reward! I have scoured the internet and sent out lots of emails along the southeast Florida coast and made lots of phone calls trying to find a maintenance facility that would have any records, at this point with only minimal results. If anyone here has any guidance on trying to find records or has any specific information, I would greatly appreciate the help! I am planning to use this as a personal aircraft, so want to be sure everything is on the up and up before I put the wife and kids in it. On that note, anyone have any dealings with MobilAero out of KFXE? I have a bid from them for an annual and then to give me a list of discrepancies with associated costs to repair. If I can’t come up with logs and times, obviously this could be a costly endeavor. The group that had seized it has run it up on a monthly basis. Thanks in advance! Charlie Huddleston (931) 434-1915

I actually spoke w Coy this week. I'm new to the Mooney scene. I just purchased a 1982 M20K that was a government seizure. The Ex-wife was kind enough to point me in some directions, as her husband is now in jail. She mentioned Mod Works as having done some work in the past (I'm trying to track down and recreate logs that are missing - again the ex said oldest son was instructed to grab them and stash them). I found him by calling a place called Mooney Mart. He answered the phone with a 'hello'. Alas, he didn't seem to be able to offer me any help, but I was just seeking records.