StinkBug Posted November 8, 2014 Report Posted November 8, 2014 I'm going to look at a 1961 M20B tomorrow, and I've been doing a ton of researching online about these planes, but not finding much about the B models specifically. Seems there is a ton about the C's but even all the model decription lists I've found have very little info about the B's other than engine type and the fact that they are all metal. Seems all the places that list modifications all start with the C model as well. Are the 2 really different? Thanks! Quote
animalmover Posted November 8, 2014 Report Posted November 8, 2014 I was told the major difference was the wings were over engineered with about 70 pound of aluminum. I don't know how accurate that is. I love mine! Good luck. Quote
1964-M20E Posted November 8, 2014 Report Posted November 8, 2014 One big difference is the flaps. The B model has mechanical linkage the C model has hydraulic. The mechanical flaps actuate easily. Depending on how much the panel has been modified over the years the instrumentation is somewhat different. The pre 65 models have different shaped rear windows I was told the top skins over the cabin are shaped different on the pre 65 models. Cabin ventilation there is no eyeball vent at the pilots knee unless it has been modified. The pre 65 had a manually retracted step not vacuum. Fuel tank capacity I believe is 48 gallons on the B models and 52 gallons on the C models. I'll probably think of some more later. I looked at and flew a B models before I bought my E model. Quote
drbob Posted November 9, 2014 Report Posted November 9, 2014 No experience myself but, knew someone who flew one 20+ yrs from new, Somehow the inner wing laps were a problem and had to be reworked. Also he thought the 2 into 2 tubes (twin muffler) system was much better than the later H&W system. When Petersen attempted to Autogas STC the C model, he couldn't pass the heat-soak test, due to over temp in the carb (fuel percolation). Maybe the B could have, with the hot mufflers down & away from the carb area in the cooling air tunnels. drbob Quote
StinkBug Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Posted November 9, 2014 Thanks guys! That is all great info. Been searching Google (and here) for days and got more in this thread in a couple hours. This place is great! Quote
kerry Posted November 9, 2014 Report Posted November 9, 2014 I know of a very nice B for sale in Northern Utah if you want to compare. PM me if you want the contact details. Quote
sleepingsquirrel Posted November 9, 2014 Report Posted November 9, 2014 I love my 1961 B model. One day I will be flying the oldest Mooney on this site as this 54 year old bird acts like a teenager just in its prime! 1 Quote
Wakeup Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 I love my M20B but would love to go faster some day ) Troy Quote
StinkBug Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Posted November 10, 2014 Thanks for all the comments guys. Went to look at the plane today and it looks really good, with only a few issues that I could find. The biggest one is that it does have a dent on one side of the nose gear truss. Not sure if it's bad enough to need replacement or not, but I'm sure the shop that I will have do the pre purchase inspection will know for sure. If it does need to be replaced what are we looking at as far as cost for parts and labor? The owner seems quite friendly and willing to negotiate so hopefully we'll be able to work something out and the plane will check out alright so I can join the Mooney family! Quote
StinkBug Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Posted November 10, 2014 Oh one other thing. The panel had a nice wood overlay on it and there was a matching panel covering the upper rear section of the cargo area, where the "hat rack" usually is. This plane has a full wall there with no hat rack. We pulled the wood panel down and there was some insulation behind, and it felt like a solid panel. Do the B models not have the hat rack area, or is this a modification of some sort? I cant see why anyone would purposely take away cargo space, especially in a plane that's already pretty small! Quote
bonal Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 I'm not sure what the actual numbers are but the majority of short body's I have seen don't have the hat rack mine included. I think it would be nice to have that extra space. Quote
BigTex Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 I'm not sure what the actual numbers are but the majority of short body's I have seen don't have the hat rack mine included. I think it would be nice to have that extra space. I'm assuming you're referring the the B models when you reference short bodies. All C's and E's have hat racks. Quote
bonal Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 Mine doesn't and I've checked out lots that didn't either. I must have been mistaken oh well not the first time that's happend. As for the dented nose gear you might take a few pics and contact Dan at Lake Aero Styling and show him. He is the expert on gear assembly Quote
bonal Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 I guess I'm Just drawn to those older girls 1 Quote
BigTex Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 I guess I'm Just drawn to those older girls Same here... It's amazing what a little lipstick will do! Quote
Marauder Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 Same here... It's amazing what a little lipstick will do! LOL! This girl seems to have forgo the lipstick and gone for full blown cosmetic surgery including a face-lift, tummy tuck and butt implants! Quote
StinkBug Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Posted November 10, 2014 LOL, you guys are funny. Glad to hear that someone didn't make a very odd modification to this plane. It would definitely be nice to have that space, but if that's the way it is I can deal with it. Thankfully there's a Mooney Service Center at the same airport the plane is at, and I've gotten some great compliments about their service from another Mooney owner so I'll be having them do the pre-buy. Just kinda wanted to prepare myself for what kinda money they might ask for if the gear truss does need replacement. Also lets me know where I should be planning for the purchase price negotiations to go. Quote
BJM61 Posted November 10, 2014 Report Posted November 10, 2014 I love my B. There is no hat rack, and has a lower gross weight, but all 48 gallons are usable and the flaps, gear, and step are manual, those make up for the rest. Its hard for a system to have issues when they are all manual, you have got to love the simplicity of those systems. 3 Quote
63C Posted November 12, 2014 Report Posted November 12, 2014 Not many '64 or older "round window" Mooney's have hat racks. A few do, though, obviously. Jim My 63C has the hat rack. Think the placard says 10lb limit. Also it still has the 48 gallon gas capacity. Quote
carusoam Posted November 12, 2014 Report Posted November 12, 2014 The planes got marginally better each year. A C is marginally better than a B. A newer C is better than an older C. Then there are a few awkward things like rivet types that were used on certain years... A well cared for B will be better than an uncared for C. PPI is important on either one... Best regards, -a- Quote
mooniac15u Posted November 13, 2014 Report Posted November 13, 2014 The planes got marginally better each year. A C is marginally better than a B. A newer C is better than an older C. Then there are a few awkward things like rivet types that were used on certain years... A well cared for B will be better than an uncared for C. PPI is important on either one... Best regards, -a- So, by this logic a D is better than a C? I think I can agree with that. Quote
carusoam Posted November 14, 2014 Report Posted November 14, 2014 The logic doesn't work very well over short spans... A J is definitely better than an A and definitely more expensive as well. The nice thing about a D is its been converted to a C, accept for the three pilots out there keeping them in their un touched condition. What is most important...any Mooney is better than brand C or brand P.... Best regards, -a- 4 Quote
Hank Posted November 14, 2014 Report Posted November 14, 2014 I agree, Anthony. Those converted D's are almost as good as a C. But much better than a Brand C . . . Fly safe. Fly fast. Fly Mooney! 1 Quote
bonal Posted November 14, 2014 Report Posted November 14, 2014 Hank, why is my converted D not as good as a natural C? Quote
mooniac15u Posted November 14, 2014 Report Posted November 14, 2014 Hank, why is my converted D not as good as a natural C? Pay no attention to them. They're just jealous. Quote
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