gwav8or

A very important detail, kind sir is that I have a 1967 M20F, not a C. :-)

Well fortunately for me, I don't have the doghouse. But from what I understand, part of the aluminum baffling has to come off and according to the mechanic, the alternator also had to come off. So, that along with the Power Boost inlet and the oil cooler the bottom cowl had to come off. idk but after looking at it more closely myself that seemed accurate. To my untrained eye.

Yeah, after taking the cheek cowls off and looking more closely at what would need to be done, I agree. It's more involved than a few simple bolts/screws. For those that say it's only a couple hours, I'd like to see a full uncut video of someone removing and replacing the cowl on an unmodified 67 F.

Yeah, I agree it's more work than I thought.

The shop rate is lower than average. I had a pwc worked on recently and their hourly rate is 50% higher than my A&P. I know I shouldn't complain.

Do you still have the power boost intake, cable and oil cooler on the front cowl? I watched a guy drop the bottom cowl on a J and it was super easy. Only thing to worry about was the landing light.

Yeah, I'v wondered the same thing. The only thing I can think of that would be in the way is the power boost intake boot. Not sure though.

Yeah, I didn't think about the intake duct. You're right, that would be a bear.

Yep, the 172 I fly occasionally has the same starter which is the reason I went with the SkyTec. Looking forward to it. Wonder if the high speed starter will make any difference in hot/warm starts?

Thank you for that explanation. It helps me a lot. I agree, these can be difficult aircraft to work on. I'd love to do an owner assist annual but my only time available is weekends and of course the shop is closed on weekends. I know it would help me out a lot. Maybe some day. The description of the intake boot r/r makes a lot of sense. Yeah, it was very generous of him to knock off 4 hours. I actually do feel bad. But the bill for 12 hours labor had me saying some things while sitting at my desk at work that had my coworkers asking if I was OK. lol This is the second plane I've had this shop take care of for me and they've always been really good to me so I don't foresee taking my plane anywhere else.

I asked him if his invoice had a typo. He revised the invoice down to 8 hours. Still sounds like a lot but I'll take what I can get. Does anybody have instructions or a video on how to remove the cowling on a '67 F? Mine is bone stock, no modifications other than a panel upgrade and avionics last year. I'm tempted to start doing the r/r of the cowling myself if I can do it in an hour.

He also just told me that he has 12 hours in the work. Said they spent the morning putting the cowling back on. Holy cow, how difficult is it to r/r the cowling?

He told me the following via txt: "It just took awhile to do. Like all of the cowling plus front baffling had to come off. It was an ordeal for sure."

1967 M20F. Had my starter go bad. Bought a skytec 149-NL and delivered it to the mechanic. I just got the invoice. 12 hours!!! Does that sound right???? Seems excessively excessive to me.

Well that is super awesome! Wanna trade? lol jk