1980Mooney

Thanks. That’s great to know that there are other options now. I see from the late 2013 announcement (below) that it was certified slightly after my Aspen install (unfortunately) @T. Peterson Looks like it costs about $3000 https://aspenavionics.com/news/aspens-ea100-digital-autopilot-interface-approved-to-replace-century-attitu https://sarasotaavionics.com/avionics/ea100

This powerpoint sums it up pretty well in layman's terms. https://www.sdmunicipalleague.org/vertical/Sites/{2540DC39-A742-459F-8CAF-7839ECF21E89}/uploads/Bryan_Johnson-Airports_Reversionary_Rights.pdf

I think @T. Peterson previously said he has a Century 41 autopilot. I don't think you can drive it from the Aspens. I have the same set up but with twin Aspens. My shop had to retain the vacuum AI on the installation. Sounds to me like it is a problem with the instrument overhaul shop.

Good point. It is hard to tell who one is buying from. So GM sells parts direct ....competing with dealers....and then dealers set up websites that look like "GM Diret".....competing with GM's direct parts sales. I wonder if GM retaliates against the dealer behind "Gmpartsdirect"?! Shop GM Genuine Parts & ACDelco Parts for GMC Vehicles Shop GM Genuine Parts & ACDelco Parts for Chevrolet Vehicles

Actually they do….Direct….No Dealer - no middleman. You have the option of having the parts delivered to your home or a dealer if you want. https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2022/01/18/gm-parts-sale-online/6562278001/ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38819559/gm-maintenance-repair-parts-online-selling/# https://www.gmpartsdirect.com

Don’t forget the effect of temperature. @AlexLev ‘s profile shows Buffalo, NY. Although Buffalo is a warm 53 deg F. today, the average low temperatures are usually closer to mid 20’s deg F in January. The lead acid battery loses about 20% of its capacity at that temperature. Also cold weather needs a lower charging rate in order to avoid battery damage . Charging will warm the battery (and I don’t know where the battery in a G is located - if it’s like a C it wil get engine heat)

@Kerrville This salvage fuselage may still have what you need. https://azairsalvage.com/product/1978-mooney-m20j-3538-9-aftt-lycoming-io-360-a3b6d-776-smoh-project-aircraft/

Flying a plane 1,000 miles away for an interior and having it down for 15 months is crazy. I bet there are not a lot here that can afford to pay all their fixed costs on their plane for nearly a year and a half only to have it sit. You can't let your hangar lease go - with waitlists in almost all airports you likely can't get it back if you do. You need your hull ("expensive") insurance if something were to happen to it sitting - flood, tornado, fire, etc (remember all the Mooney PFM M20L's flooded when Hurricane Charley hit Mod Works in 2004?). Your plane will be out of Annual - you may need to hire a distant A&P for an "out of state Annual"(i.e. potentially $$$) or else ferry it - but timing may not match up with the installer delay vs an A&P Annual schedule. Your plane may have even more idle downtime waiting. Your Instrument currency lapses. And if the down timing falls on your BFR then you need to rent a plane. And for those who can afford it, they likely don't want to and don't want a solution with a plane grounded for so long.

I am confused by the part numbers mentioned here and on page three. I think the control rods that are bent are 550244-501 That is the entire rod with rod ends on each end (including parts ARE-3-20 and F31-14MPB) As Skip said there are "2" complete rods for the MLG If you just want the tube without the rod ends it is part 560244-001 There is "1" tube within each complete entire rod `The salvage yards get them confused and use then interchangeably. Here is a BAS ad for the part number that is just the rod (out of stock -sorry) but you can see that it has the rod ends. They call it 560244-001 https://baspartsales.com/560244-001-mooney-m20k-landing-gear-retract-rod-assembly/

Remember that he has an early J with the Dukes actuator. I have no experience with it and don’t know if it differs from the Eaton.

Note in the "Bent Push Pull Rods" Dec 15 2022 topic, that he used straight edges to check the rods without disassembly. When you buy a Mooney, there can always be delays in parts. Luckily there is a lot of scrap parts. The factory does make parts....slowly. And as @KSMooniac said a good A&P can repair a lot of parts. I have owned a Mooney through bankruptcies and shutdowns. The biggest delay I ever had was waiting on Rocket Engineering to repair my engine mount frame (unique to the Missile conversion). Nowdays engine overhauls are taking longer than waiting for parts from Mooney.

Here is another video showing the micro (stop) switches in action. It has an Eaton actuator but the principle is the same.

A clean “oh crap I completely forgot “ gear up generally does not tear up the rods, turnbuckles or actuator. It is the remembering and dropping the gear(partially extended)just as you touchdown, the porpoising nose gear collapse, the side skid collapse, and the improper gear rigging/weld crack collapse that tears up and bends everything in the landing gear system.

once you get it up on jacks here is a video for reference

Only one of the 2 MLG tubes is bent? Everything is linked together. If it bent (buckled) because the Dukes actuator over- extended (due to lack of microswitch stop) then everything was overextended. Every tube should be checked for straightness. And turnbuckles for any On the other hand perhaps the one tube had some residual damage from the original gear up and it was the first to bend. check out this post

Also I have always found KNR- Inc., a Mooney specific shop out of Evanston, WY, to be a great online resource. They have a "Shop Talk" section that is very knowledgeable and pragmatic. Everyone has their favorite - my 2 cents. ShopTalk Index (knr-inc.com) Regarding Mooney specific pre-buy 200404 Caveat Emptor, Caveat Vendor (pre-buy) (knr-inc.com) 201712 Pre-buy Part 1 (knr-inc.com) 201801 Pre-buy Part 2 (knr-inc.com)

Look - I agree with your point. Anyone buying a plane should look at the Serial Number to avoid confusion. Advertisements and owner statements can be misleading. Also if you search a plane by Serial Number you may find that the N-Number changed along the way.

Also you may have already seen some of theses From one of our MS'ers @201er Also Emergency Gear Swing by @201er

Uh - Eric above raised doubt "If somebody says they have a 76 J model, I wonder whether they really mean an early J or an actual 76F that has essentially been converted." THERE IS NO DOUBT.

Since you have narrowed your interest to a M20J POH Service Manual Wiring Diagrams (safe to open) mooney.free.fr/Manuels M20J/M20J/Mooney Service Manuel M20J Vol. 2 of 2.pdf Parts

Come on guys - this discussion is getting goofy. The Serial Number says it all. As posted on page one N201JK is Serial Number 24-0040. You can look it up on Aircraft Inquiry (faa.gov) It is a M20J. Period. Go look at the parts manual and the service manual (both are posted on MS). Parts and service is identified by Serial Number - not "year of Mooney" or date of Certification.

Lots of confusion here. Suggesting mechanical stripping. Or painting /feather the new polysulfied sealant over-the urethane . Or put in bladders

This says proprietary polyurethane.

Not videos but might help.....