Parts for gear up m20j 1981

[Epiphyte]

I just purchased a 1981 m20j 201 that was recently in a gear up landing. I'm working with an A&P to put her back together. Damage is minimal, wings were spared. I'm on a tight budget and could use some help. So far, I've struck out finding a loaner prop, so that's on my list. I need to ferry her only 2 miles to the shop. Her is a list of items that I need;

Nose gear doors

Antennas for vor/nav/DME blade style etc

Skins for middle section.

Any help would be very appreciated.

[Cruiser]

I have a two blade 2A34C239/90DMC-15 McCauley prop that was removed for the 310 HP upgrade on a Mooney Ovation/Eagle. The back plate is configured for TKS fluid and it has the tubes with rubber boots on the blades. It has about 250 hrs. on it since new. Spinner is included.

 

I would like to sell it. It is not listed as an approved prop for the M20J so some kind of FAA approval would be required. 

[KSMooniac]

Cruiser, the Continental and Lycoming prop interfaces are different, so it wouldn't even fit as far as I know. I have belly skins from an 81 J. Send me a list of part numbers or photos of the ones you need. Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 4

[DaV8or]

Since you need belly skins, do yourself a favor, stretch the budget and get the one piece belly mod. You will thank yourself later at annual.

[Epiphyte]

Great! Thanks for all the informative and quick responses.

I spoke with my mechanic about the tks blade. He mentioned that it would be costly to use that format. Thank you for the option. Right now I'm looking at refurbishing the bent prop, which is an option since not very damaged.

As for the skins. I've had a few folks mention the single belly skin, so that warrants investigation. I'll look into my options. In the mean time I'll post some photos of skin damage to see if any skin matches come up.

[Epiphyte]

Here is image of belly skin damage

[KSMooniac]

The 1-piece belly is a very desirable upgrade, but it is expensive and requires a lot of labor (40-60 hours) to make the conversion, and it will add 15-20 lbs to your empty weight.  Dugosh has a nifty carbon fiber version that is weight-neutral, but still a lot of work to complete.  If you have damaged to any of the structure under the belly skins, then it might make sense to do the conversion since you'll need additional parts anyway, but if the only damage is to the skins, then you can slap some new ones in there and be back in business quickly and cheaply.

 

I want the carbon fiber 1 piece belly, but thus far haven't been willing to go to the trouble to buy and convert yet.

[larryb]

That ADF antenna made a nice skid-plate. Perhaps I should have left mine on...

 

Larry

[RocketAviator]

One piece fiberglass not real expensive, i think mine just cost 1600 if I'm not mistaken, laser. Can find our more if needed.

[Epiphyte]

It's actually pretty incredible that damage was so minimal, and your right, the antenna took the brunt.

[Epiphyte]

Ksmooniac,

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll try and re-skin with original skins. Do you recognize the damaged sections, and if so, do you have the parts? At this time, I'm unable to invest in the belly mod...if finance wasn't an issue, I would go that route.

Also, question for the general audience: what type of damage is common to structures of the belly, hidden by the skins. Any case studies out there, or stories?

Tb

[jetdriven]

The fuselage frames gets bent where the skin panels intersect. Looks like you are going to have to change one out. Its not structural.

[N601RX]

I will have a extra set of skins from a F model in the next couple of months when I get time to  install my 1pc belly.  From just looking at the picture, they look to be the same, but you might want to check the pn's.  I will also be removing one of the crossmembers as its not used with the 1pc.  I will have to check, but I believe it is the crossmember  that appears damaged on yours.

[KSMooniac]

Ksmooniac,

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll try and re-skin with original skins. Do you recognize the damaged sections, and if so, do you have the parts? At this time, I'm unable to invest in the belly mod...if finance wasn't an issue, I would go that route.

Also, question for the general audience: what type of damage is common to structures of the belly, hidden by the skins. Any case studies out there, or stories?

Tb

 

I'm sure I'll have all of the parts you need... in my opinion it would be best to get it apart and figure out which parts you need and then let me know so you don't miss anything.  I used to have a good prop off my '77 J, but it finally sold after ~18 months.  I'm not sure where to find another on the cheap, but you might try contacting a few of the Mooney shops and perhaps you'll get lucky finding a used one sitting in the corner.

[Epiphyte]

That's great n601rx,

I'll run this by my mechanic, and see what he thinks.

[Epiphyte]

I'm sure I'll have all of the parts you need... in my opinion it would be best to get it apart and figure out which parts you need and then let me know so you don't miss anything. I used to have a good prop off my '77 J, but it finally sold after ~18 months. I'm not sure where to find another on the cheap, but you might try contacting a few of the Mooney shops and perhaps you'll get lucky finding a used one sitting in the corner.

Thank you, I may very well take you up on that offer. Now I just have to get her over to the shop for a better inspection. It may take me a few weeks.

[KSMooniac]

You can ferry it with the skins like that... nothing structural down there.  You might need to get the assistance of a Mooney-savvy IA though to get the ferry permit thru the feds.  Biggest problem is finding a usable prop, and dialing the crank to make sure it isn't bent.

[OR75]

pm sent about a McCauley C212 prop.

[fantom]

I'm guessing that step took some of the load, also. Don't remove it  .

[Alan Fox]

Don't waste money on the belly , it is not a "real" speed mod , it will take a full week to modify the new pan , and it takes two people to remove and replace at annual.....With a power drill driver , you can have the metal skins off in a half hour......There are currently a set of nose doors on ebay , they are new but not overlapping....Let me know what ADF you have , and I may have an antenna.....and I also have a bucket of good antennas if you wasted any other antennas.....Good luck.......Alan 856 419 5209.....

[Epiphyte]

Thank you Alan. I'll look into this. I did see the doors on eBay, but wasn't sure if they would fit. I think there was a blade vor/DME combo antenna that got completely sheared off.

Yes, the wing step took some grinding and saved part of the belly. I was thankful for that!

Ksmooniac: yea, I think the ferry process should be easy compared to the prop issue. I'm also crossing my fingers on the crank and engine status.

[jetdriven]

Don't waste money on the belly , it is not a "real" speed mod , it will take a full week to modify the new pan , and it takes two people to remove and replace at annual.....With a power drill driver , you can have the metal skins off in a half hour......There are currently a set of nose doors on ebay , they are new but not overlapping....Let me know what ADF you have , and I may have an antenna.....and I also have a bucket of good antennas if you wasted any other antennas.....Good luck.......Alan 856 419 5209.....

+1 what Alan said.  Great advice.   Also, IO-360 cranks are bulletproof and are rarely bent.  Dial the flange, ferry it, then pull the accessory case and inspect the crank gear per AD, then roll on.

[OR75]

my advice on the belly panels:

over time, things drifted and mechanics have put any kind of machine screws and sheet metal screws as long as they fit.

to be honest, my opinion is that some aspects of an annual do more damage than good to an aircraft. but that is a different debate.

the first time you will remove them and put them back will be very painful and time consuming. but if you do it right, the following times will be a breeze.

just make sure you use the right screws and don't over torque them.

[Epiphyte]

Great news and helpful advice. I'm getting more excited by the minute! It's a dream of mine to own an aircraft. I have about 80 hours in type and loved every minute. If all goes well, dream come true.

[fantom]

I take my one piece belly panel off in five minutes...putting it back on takes a bit longer, maybe 7 minutes. And I'm all thumbs.