Changing out side windows

[petegaz40]

I have a '64 model and the side windows need replacing.  I priced the windows and now I am wondering what a rough cost to have them changed out would be.  Any ideas.?

[DonMuncy]

Side windows replacement is an owner approved operation. If you are handy, they are not a big deal. Takes some time and fitting, but not rocket science.

[Bob_Belville]

Pete, I am in the process of replacing windows all around including windshield. Should be finished Monday. I bought from GLAP.

The door, pilot windows and rear windows are pretty straight forward but if you're paying a mechanic to do a turnkey job I suppose it's a 2, maybe 3, day project.

In my case, I've done all the dumb stuff, removing interior and old windows, cleaning window frames of sealant. Lynn fitted, drilled, and taped the new windows, I prepped the margin for sealant adhesion. Lynn will mix the CS 330 and we'll install with new screws. I will clean up and reinstalled interior. None of the side windows needed much cutting.

To the labor, add $100-$200 for new hardware and sealant.

BTW, I went with 3/16" all around, solar grey, and vent windows in both the pilot window and the door. (My old rear windows were 1/8".)

[Hank]

Wow, dual vents! You'll give us even more to be jealous of . . . .

[Bob_Belville]

4 minutes ago, Hank said:

Wow, dual vents! You'll give us even more to be jealous of . . . .

I think you really need cross ventilation in Auburn.

http://www.glapinc.com/Mooney/M20CDE/m20-1965.htm#Door

[Yetti]

So do the side windows have the preformed bend to match the curve of the plane or do you have to bolt them in and make a flat piece curve?

 

[ryoder]

Vantage has great airshow deals.  I should have bought mine at sun n fun.  I'll get them this year.  Get the UV protection.

[DonMuncy]

Mine, for a 231 had the bends in place.

[Yetti]

Hmm use the old ones to create a form.  A 0.187 thick 24x36 grey piece from Professional Plastic is $44.00   Not over heating is the key   http://www.professionalplastics.com/PLEXIGLASS-ACRYLICSHEET-EXTRUDED

 

 

[Rookie]

When the windows are replaced with the thicker after market. Will the weight and balance change?

[Bob_Belville]

11 hours ago, Yetti said:

So do the side windows have the preformed bend to match the curve of the plane or do you have to bolt them in and make a flat piece curve?

 

The GLAP windows are sized and formed to fit. They drop right in place without modification. We did have to trim a corner off the lower back corner of the rear windows a little where rivits interfered. (The windshield, which in my case was their M20J since I have the SWTA mod, required some trimming.) Caution: you do not want to create stress in the acrylic. This means you want to drill holes a little oversize and you would not want to tighten the window into a bind if the shape doesn't match the frame. 

[1964-M20E]

Rookie

Welcome to the board.

theoretically yes going thicker would affect the W&B but I would suspect not very much to be negligible.

You could weigh each piece and determine it arm and calculate the difference.

 

you are not very far form me I'll have to fly over there one day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rookie]

1 hour ago, 1964-M20E said:

Rookie

Welcome to the board.

theoretically yes going thicker would affect the W&B but I would suspect not very much to be negligible.

You could weigh each piece and determine it arm and calculate the difference.

 

you are not very far form me I'll have to fly over there one day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I joined this site to lean about the Mooney aircraft. I will be buying one soon. I am looking at a few F models. How do you like yours and is the over all a good plane to you?

[DonMuncy]

Just now, Rookie said:

So I joined this site to lean about the Mooney aircraft. I will be buying one soon. I am looking at a few F models. How do you like yours and is the over all a good plane to you?

Rookie,

You must not read this forum much. Nobody here would ever admit his plane was not the greatest aircraft ever built.

[Rookie]

6 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

Rookie,

You must not read this forum much. Nobody here would ever admit his plane was not the greatest aircraft ever built.

Well I have been asking some questions cause my CFI says to buy a Cessna 182 or so!

[DonMuncy]

Just now, Rookie said:

Well I have been asking some questions cause my CFI says to buy a Cessna 182 or so!

I was speaking strictly in jest, but it is true that we are all (justly) biased in favor of Mooneys. Some prospective plane owner's missions might favor a 182, but in most instances, the extra speed /economy of the Mooney makes it the most obvious choice.

[Rookie]

5 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

I was speaking strictly in jest, but it is true that we are all (justly) biased in favor of Mooneys. Some prospective plane owner's missions might favor a 182, but in most instances, the extra speed /economy of the Mooney makes it the most obvious choice.

I understand, I really like the F model., for my budget.

[1964-M20E]

Rookie

 

182s are very capable airplanes and in the same speed class as a pre-J Mooney with a little more load capability.  The Mooney will be more efficient on fuel than the 182.  The 182 has a 6 cylinder engine the J and pre-Js have a 4 cylinder unless they have been converted.

145 to 160 knots is a good speed range that will let you cover a large expanse of the US in just 3 to 4 hours of flying.

What you need to do is define your mission before you buy an airplane and try to fly different ones as well.

1. Where are you going to fly? long flights, short flights etc.

2. How many people will you have with you 70% of the time.  If you have a growing family and need 6 seats a 182 or a Mooney will not suit you well.

3. What type or range do you need or want?

4. How much speed is needed to satisfy your mission?

By the way I like my F model.  I had an E before and the E or C models are very capable machines just a little short of leg room for rear passengers.  I've always said the E or the C are great 2 person 4 seat aircraft. and they can handle 3 adults quite well especially for flights less than 3 hours.

 

 

[Bob_Belville]

1 hour ago, 1964-M20E said:

By the way I like my F model.  I had an E before and the E or C models are very capable machines just a little short of leg room for rear passengers.  I've always said the E or the C are great 2 person 4 seat aircraft. and they can handle 3 adults quite well especially for flights less than 3 hours.

 

 

I've never had a complaint from a back seat passenger in my M20E. Here's a recent trip with 4 full size adults,over 5 hours in 2 legs.

[Guest]

Bob, please post some pics of your new Windows.  I'm very interested in seeing how the smoke gray looks. 

[Bob_Belville]

Just now, Barcho said:

Bob, please post some pics of your new Windows.  I'm very interested in seeing how the smoke gray looks. 

Will do. Everything is prepped to install next Monday. The solar grey is pretty lightly tinted, and transparent panels do not photo very true but I'll be anxious to document all the work.

[Guest]

They sound awesome! I wouldn't want anything but a VERY light tinting.  I'll look forward to seeing some pics next week! 

[TTaylor]

Here is the solar grey in the two side windows after we did a three to two window conversion on the F last year.  Front window is still the green tint until I can do a 201 upgrade. Very happy with the Solar gray after two years of flying.

[Guest]

Looks great TTaylor!

[N201MKTurbo]

A few words of advice,

When you are taking it all apart, take pictures of where the interior mounting tabs are mounted and mark them with a sharpie on the tabs and on the airframe. Each one has a custom drilled hole. If you get them mixed up, just drill new screw holes.