N2652W will have a new home!

[hammdo]

Blackstone report looks good — had more down time as I had an annual, new windshield, and electric fuel pump etc happening in the first 6 months.

Report looks great! Engine is humming along…

 

[hammdo]

So, I was reviewing the log book history for this engine.

It was IRAN'd by Aircraft Specialties Services in Tulsa.  A complete lower rebuild, line-bored, cam, lifters, crank certified, new rod bolts, bearings, rings, etc.  The cylinder's were IRAN'd vs overhauled since they had about 1300 hours on them @ the time.  So not a 'true' rebuild but taking the Mike Busch mantra, she should be just fine to keep flying 'on condition'. 

The engine was installed as a factory overhaul @ 1991.28 Tach Time and was a first run overhaul that had 1960 hours when it was overhauled.

The IRAN was done @ 3361.1 Tach hours.  The engine @ the time of the last oil change was 4082.28, so 721.18 hours on it since the IRAN in 2006. Looking at all the oil analysis from Sabremech and myself, I couldn't be happier with the reports so far and, the lack of materials in the filter.

I did mention the IRAN and hours since to Blackstone so we can keep an eye on things. 

Fly and change the oil often.  Camguard is only a precaution for me.  I know how some folks feel about it but if it keeps the engine clean, helps the guides/valves, and helps with the time she has to sit (mostly annuals or and long maintenance items), I'll continue to use it.

Oil analysis trends are very nice but the filter is the 'immediate' answer I look for.  After the tank patch, I'll be doing a treatment of Boeshield to the airframe and engine compartment.  I have an update to LHS system so I'll add that -- may have a line on a 'good' WX-900 that has the backlight working so I may get that and try it before investing in a new StrikeFinder.  Still waiting on the Garmin Auto Pilot Pitch Trim resolution.  Testing out some LEDs for the Nu-lites to see if I can get something brighter.  Gotta test the IcyBreeze too...

Maintenance is an ongoing deal with these older planes.  

She loves to fly...

-Don

[hammdo]

Did some pattern work today to get ready for a flight to test the IcyBreeze but what I’m reporting on is how much I love the knee bolster!

I didn’t think I’d really get much out of it but after flying 1.2 hours today, I’m sold…

Between that and the IcyBreeze, it will be much more comfortable flying…

Really surprised how much that bolster helped…

Did have to tighten up the copilots side cowl flap bracket but everything thing else has checked out. Right fuel sender is on the list to overhaul soon…

-Don

[hammdo]

She’s at Maxwells for the right tank patch. I have a replacement WX-900 on the way. Hope to get 3 years out of the WX-900 as I really want to get the GFC-500 first.

Fingers crossed on all of this…

-Don

[hammdo]

Replacement StormScope came in and I was able to test it. Working great AND the backlight works great.

Once she is back from Maxwells, I’ll rnr the old one… simple and easy to remove thankfully…

-Don

[hammdo]

Talked to Maxwells today — curing is going on and they’ll do a test on Monday! Didn’t find anything unusual so fingers crossed!

Will be nice when fixed…

-Don

[hammdo]

Just got the word right tank patch is done! Paul confirmed no leaks. Now just waiting on word to pick it up…

Nice!  I’ll install the replacement StormScope and start looking for a timeframe for autopilot…

-Don

[hammdo]

Picked up the plane - nice to see no leaks!

Just so folks know, the ‘new’ flat rate per side from Maxwells is $1450 per side… Folks were telling me recently it was $650 - $850 - looks like that has changed.

Makes me wonder if doing a full reseal in the long run is better…

But for now, she’s topped off and sitting in the hanger to make sure.

Flew great from KGGG back to Mesquite…

[Fly Boomer]

4 minutes ago, hammdo said:

Picked up the plane - nice to see no leaks!

Just so folks know, the ‘new’ flat rate per side from Maxwells is $1450 per side… Folks were telling me recently it was $650 - $850 - looks like that has changed.

Makes me wonder if doing a full reseal in the long run is better…

But for now, she’s topped off and sitting in the hanger to make sure.

Flew great from KGGG back to Mesquite…

What is Maxwell's hourly shop rate -- I'm curious how that is calculated?

[hammdo]

I’ll post the invoice here in a bit…

-Don

[hammdo]

Invoice:

 

[Fly Boomer]

14 minutes ago, hammdo said:

Invoice:

So if he gets $200 per hour, that's about 8 hours of shop time?

[hammdo]

I’m guessing shop rate is $100-$120.

So…

I was a bit surprised- not to mention all the fees  now. I guess it’s the cost of doing business- passed to the customer…

-Don

[Fly Boomer]

38 minutes ago, hammdo said:

I’m guessing shop rate is $100-$120.

So…

I was a bit surprised- not to mention all the fees  now. I guess it’s the cost of doing business- passed to the customer…

-Don

Yeah, I saw some of the fees.  I guess cash is king -- if you carry that kind of money around.

[hammdo]

I could have paid cash or check, but I used the cc for points. I’d prefer the costs were included in the rate like it used to be.

Times have changed…

I’d do it myself (I’m very capable) but it’s finding an AP willing to oversee the work @ my hanger.  Nothing wrong with the service I received from Maxwells at all. I just like to work on my own plane…

-Don

[Fly Boomer]

2 minutes ago, hammdo said:

I’d do it myself (I’m very capable) but it’s finding an AP willing to over see the work @ my hanger.  Nothing wrong with the service I received from Maxwells at all. I just like to work on my own plane…

Roger that.  I you are having a bad day, you can just walk away.  That doesn't always happen in a shop.

[LANCECASPER]

On 8/18/2023 at 12:54 PM, hammdo said:

Invoice:

 

That's extremely fair. I paid $1400 plus supplies 8 years ago on a patch on one side from Dugosh and I felt like they earned every penny I paid them.

[Ragsf15e]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

That's extremely fair. I paid $1400 plus supplies 8 years ago on a patch on one side from Dugosh and I felt like they earned every penny I paid them.

Yeah, nice to have a patch option at all at a reputable place and I bet they have to earn it inside the tanks. Seems very fair.

[hammdo]

I went out to the plane last night and found about 4 rivets on the right top wing walk seeping.  I'll figure out what to do with those.

Also, I have fiberlites for the instruments and I installed 2 superbright 135 lumens T3 1/4 Wedge bulbs -- much nicer!  I'll get a pic of those tonight.

Here is what I purchased:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/catalog/product/view/id/202887/s/194-led-bulb-cob-led-t3-25-miniature-wedge-base-135-lumens/category/2/

5000K cool -- no color.  If you want color -- these would be good replacements!

I had a silicone pad on the dash to hold my phone and, during the 'baking' of the fuel tank outside -- it melted -- like black licorice.  I was able to remove the big blob of melted silicone before flying back from GGG. I cleaned the dash last night with Budda Belly -- that worked perfect. 

Have 8 hours since oil change and it looks like I have most of the leaks fixed -- Still @ 6 qtrs. so far.

StormScope goes in tonight and I'll do a flight test to confirm it and all the lights I updated work well.

 

BTW, the Fuel Selector light housing -- I unscrewed the lens but it would not come off -- Is there any trick to get those off without removing the entire unit -- part # of the light housing is 83B1310-117.  Seems like lens would pull off after tuning to the left but, just keeps turning the whole unit.  I'm being cautious as I don't want to break it and try and find another one.  This one takes a GE-1813 bulb.

Let me know the secret handshake to get the bulb out.  - Same with the Gear Indicators (I know those are different bulbs).

-Don

 

 

 

[hammdo]

Night current again -- panel adjusted for night flight -- not bad at all!  The fiberlites look great with the LED bulbs AND it really lights the pilot side foot well!   I can really see the fuel selector well!

Instead of the 'yellow' glow, nice cool white lights around the round gauges....

Six pack shows well and so does the StormScope!

Have the red overhead lights using LED flashlights ziptied to the original light housings -- those really light up the panel when needed (not so great for red lettering on the checklist/maps ;o)...

-Don

[hammdo]

Following up on a couple of things:

StormScope had intermittent errors with antenna so I check the connector end -- found the issue with the pins. Corrected those and she is working fine now!

Also, the rivets seeping.  The RV folks have a process to seal those up so I'm following that guide.

Remove the wing walk in my case to get access to the rivets (CitriStrip).

Clean area after scraping all the old wing walk off:

MEK, RED ScotchBright

Then Alumiprep and Alodine to prepare the surface.

The RV guys have a kit to do this so, to support a fellow builder, I order the kit.  I'm using Permatex #3 aviation and I'll dilute it with some denatured alcohol to thin it a bit (this will help it seep into the rivets better).

Tank is low on fuel so I don't expect any issues.

Will be applying that over the weekend -- I'll take more pics. 

I know -- why not do all of the wing walk?  I want to be sure this rivet approach works before I do that.  I'll patch it in the mean time with 3M tape and fly it a bit before taking on that full project.

 

[hammdo]

Completed sealing the rivets. Letting it cure overnight and will give it a test tomorrow. I’ll fly it a bit, fill it again and let it sit. If all looks good, may do a full strip and redo the full wing walk. Probably use prekote vs alumiprep and alodine.

-Don

 

[LANCECASPER]

10 hours ago, hammdo said:

Completed sealing the rivets. Letting it cure overnight and will give it a test tomorrow. I’ll fly it a bit, fill it again and let it sit. If all looks good, may do a full strip and redo the full wing walk. Probably use prekote vs alumiprep and alodine.

-Don

 

I used the Permatex #3 to seal up the screw(s) under the wingwalk. The first time I did it I waited a day and filled it up and it eventually leaked again. The next time I did it I waited three days for it to completely cure and I never had it leak again.

[hammdo]

I can certainly wait more time. I’ve used it on screws also but usually waited until the next weekend to fly. 
 

The red palm handle allowed me to put good pressure on the surface so I’ll be interested to see how well it worked. Did the process 3 times on each rivet.

-Don

[hammdo]

Flew the plane last night (didn't add fuel).  Went out tonight to see how the curing is doing -- looks really good.  I took a pic to show how the 'pressure' approach works -- filled in the rivets nicely...

I'll do a fill-up this weekend to see if I need to do another treatment...

-Don