M20F-1968

Will the BatteryMinder provide sufficient power to run the avionics or just trickle charge the battery? John Breda

I have a service manual which covers my 1968 F, however the manuals were not very detailed in those days. I would like to get my hands on a later J or MSE manual which may have additional information. Does anyone have an electronic copy of a later manual they could e-mail me? My e-mail address is john.breda@gmail.com Thanks, John Breda

I am now getting more focused on maintenance issues now that I have my plane back in Massachusetts. I am pretty mechanical, and know a reasonable amount about the airplane for its extensive restoration, but I would like to know more about: 1) the things that I can do myself 2) the things that I might be able to work with an A&P's supervision 3) more about standard A&P mechanic's procedures and what is acceptable techniques 4) engine operation, things to watch, engine function, what should peak my concern 5) a list of proper torque specs and tools to own 6) tools to keep in the plane 7) plug cleaning, gapping, fine wire plug inspection/maintenance 8) the vintage maintenance manuals are not great - can one look to a J manual for F model information, which edition of the Mooney manuals for my plane are the most complete? These are just a few of the things that come to mind. John Breda

Is there a 14 volt version for occasion use in learning the avionics while on the ground which is also suitable for a member of the CB club? Will a simple auto 14 Volt power supply work? I have a suitable jumper cable ending in a Cessna style plug and also an adapter which is a Cessna style plug with terminals. I found this as well, http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/portPowerCharger.php?clickkey=819890# but is there any reason to use the aviation version as opposed to the auto version? Is the power any more regulated or stable with the aviation version? John Breda

David: Thanks for the reply. That schedule works well for me and I would like to share the ride as you proposed. I just realized I gave you an incorrect e-mail address. I just changed e-mails and my new working one is john.breda@gmail.com and my cell phone is (617) 877-0025. I left you a voice mail and will try to call again. Thanks, John Breda

Is there anyone going from Dallas to Kerrville for the MAPA meeting this week? I would be willing to share expenses. You can reply here, or e-mail me at john.breda@yahoo.com or call me at (617) 444-2230. Thanks, John Breda

What have you all found to be a good collection of torque wrenches. What ranges of wrenches do you use, and how long. I have one dial torque wrench that is 1-350 in/lbs for gear rigging. Some people prefer 0-250 for that task. Should I go for the Snap On stuff? What about buying used and sending the tool out for calibration? John Breda

Go to an avionics shop. purchase the Tach from them and have them re-paint the dial to correspond to the correct markings. I believe Central Texas Avionics can do this for you as well as many other shops. John Breda

Buy it new. You can use the current production part and match drill it. LASAR or any MSC can order it. John Breda

I plan on being at the Summit and am interested. John Breda

I am interested. Do these have the Amsafe airbag installed in the strap? John Breda

How about this twist. You have a nice F which you know and like. Put a turbo normalizer on your F. Save about $80,000 - $100,000 in the process and fly commercially on the 10% of flights for the year when icing is an issue. The turbo is, based on percentage of expected use, the more valuable piece of equipment as you may only use the TKS 5% of the time. Keep the plane you know since there is always an added cost in getting any new aircraft to the condition you want it to be in. Further, the TKS has some maintenance involved. I have a RayJay system, rebuilt with all paperwork which you could have for less than $15,000. If you were interested, I am sure we could find a price point that works for both of us. I have all documentation necessary and the install would take about 40 hrs. With this system installed the F model is a 170 kt airplane or better at 17,000, service ceiling is 20,000. Fuel burn would be 11 gal/hr. Maintenance costs would be no more than your present plane and TBO would be unchanged. John Breda e-mail: john.breda@gmail.com Cell: (617) 877-0025

Mine is with many mods and turbo-normalized. At 9,000ft it is a solid 158-160 kt airplane. At 17,000 a 170 kt airplane, better at 18,000 ft, but it took lots of work to get it there. John Breda

I can share some experience here. I started off using Scandia's sticky backed white foam insulation (some with aluminum cap and some with a blue dense foam cap supposedly with better vibration protection). In the end, It took it out (which was a pain) due to weight and used the soundex stuff below the windows and bagged fiberglass insulation in the ceiling. That worked well. I did not glue the insulation to the skins so it can be taken out for inspection. Sound level, vibration and heat retention are all improved. I have not done any objective testing. John Breda

Does anyone know when the 2015 MAPA Homecoming is scheduled to occur? There is no mention on their web site. John Breda

I may have one because I rebuilt a J model cowling and took out the landing light. John Breda

Be sure you spend a significant amount of time with a good Mooney instructor before you venture off alone with the 201. They are definitely different airplanes and a new pilot can easily get behind the airplane. John Breda

TAKING OFFERS: My plane will be back in my hangar in about 3 weeks. I need to get rid of my extra Mooney stuff and this turbo system needs to find a good home. I am accepting offers on this system. The exhaust pipes, wastegate and scavenger pump have been rebuilt. Regarding the exhaust, wastegate and heat muff - these parts are new since we only saved the pin onto which the wastegate spring attaches as the retained part to legally rebuild the system. I have an 8130 (return to service document) for the scavenger pump. To keep the price of it down, I will let it go with a turbocharger that turns freely but has not been rebuilt. You could do this on your time.

I have a replacement switch if you are interested. John Breda (617) 877-0025

I think there is one on E-bay that I saw earlier today in passing.

The retracting reels can be installed in an F model. I did it with DER approval using Ovation parts. I also have a set of clamps that go onto the tubular structure to install non-retracting front shoulder harnesses if anyone is interested. John Breda

Get me his name. This doctor may be interested. John Breda

Find you cheapest quote to get each job done, and then multiply by three to get the job done correctly. John Breda

The door is held on bay a piano hinge. It sounds like one side of the hinge is cracked. Pull the wire (pin) from the hinge, separate the 2 halves of the piano hinge. Then, buy a replacement similar hinge (they are mostly standard). Remove rivets to take off the broken side and install a new 1/2 hinge to replace the broken side. Be sure to align the hinge so it fits into the other half when the door is closed. Not too difficult a project. John Breda

I have both a collection of interior sun screen and covers which I purchased for my plane over the long rebuild time. My goal was to keep what fits best and sell the rest. I need to do some trial fitting and my plane will not be back until March. If you can wait, I may have something for you. John