JimC67

Wound up cutting into the bottom of the access panel. That allowed us to get to the nuts on top of the screws and get the panel off. Got a new (used) panel from BAS, and am installing it correctly now, so the next owner won't have the same problem.

You're right, they don't. That would explain a lot.

Mine is 1783, so that would apply. The nuts are fixed into the plate, so they don't turn. That's how you keep them from turning. As for the sealant part, my understanding is that they seal the nutplates, then apply a sealant to the edges of the cover and it seals when tightened. Not 100% on it, but I'm getting ready to learn I suppose.

Those are the panels. Looking at used one's, I came across a couple from a C model that have the same nut plates. Maybe an early factory thing before they figured out dome nuts were better? We're removing the panel and putting dome nuts on it, so we don't run into the issue again

Thank you

Hadn't crossed my mind, but that would indeed solve the problem. Any idea on the part numbers I'd need? I've got an old parts manual, but it's kinda useless

The hardware is the same in both wings, top and bottom. The last tank re-seal in the logbook was the left wing in 1989. Nothing noted for the right tank. The biggest problem we're having is just getting access. You can't pull the panel if the hardware just spins. That's our main issue. Other than that, I agree with your assessment.

I have a seep and a leak from two nuts on my bottom, inboard tank cover. The screws just spin, and won't come out. Looking inside the empty tank with a borescope, I see these. Can't get to them to put a wrench on them so I can back, them out. Can't unscrew them. Looking at the other panels, they're all like this. Same nut My IA has done tank repairs on Mooney's before and said they're normally a dome type nut. Any idea's on how to get this leak to stop?

That's the one I have on my B model.

I got mine and it was a huge help in setting an appropriate hull value for my renewal

It's going in my B model. I'll post pictures when it gets done. He's really gone above and beyond working on this. Can't find them in any kind of decent shape anywhere. To have someone step up and help is a credit to the owner pool we have going

Preach! my '61 B has 40 for each side panel. I try to do everything all at once. I then go back and do the rest after I put the panels back on and forget something. :} I installed a quick drain on mine last oil change, so the next one should be much cleaner. I put an oil absorbent pad under the filter to catch any residual oil, and that seemed to work just fine.

I swapped my old rollers for the phenolic ones from LASAR and the difference is night and day. Easy upgrade on my B, and the result is worth the effort