My Mooney Story-A Love Affair

[Andy95W]

Scott- you probably have the 4500.  You’ll have to put your eyes on your valve and order what you need.  You probably know this, but it’s on the cabin side of the firewall above the pilot’s feet.

By the way, I have the 4500 but my parking brake doesn’t hold because of an internal seal that you can’t buy without buying a whole new valve.  The seal kits that LASAR sells seem to be if yours is leaking and dripping, not if it’s not holding the brakes.

[Andy95W]

If you find a supplier for the internal seals, please let me know!

[47U]

  On 10/19/2024 at 1:31 AM, Echo said:

Is this the correct parking brake seal kit for a 65 E?

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Scott… do you have an external leak?  Does the parking brake actuate but not hold pressure to the brakes?  Is the cable functional throughout its full travel… or stiff from lack of lubrication and decades of neglect (obviously, neglect from previous owners).

[Echo]

  On 10/19/2024 at 4:46 AM, 47U said:

Scott… do you have an external leak?  Does the parking brake actuate but not hold pressure to the brakes?  Is the cable functional throughout its full travel… or stiff from lack of lubrication and decades of neglect (obviously, neglect from previous owners).

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The knob pulls and stays in position, but will NOT hold brakes.  I have NOT noticed any drips/leaks.  My brakes do need to be properly bled as the right is soft until you pump it up.

[Echo]

I only use parking brake during run up.  I like using it vs. holding brakes.  My Missile held during run up no problem.

[Echo]

Wow.  Ordered a battery from Spruce yesterday afternoon and received today.  That's Mooney fast.  Nice.

[47U]

  On 10/19/2024 at 2:01 PM, Echo said:

The knob pulls and stays in position, but will NOT hold brakes.  I have NOT noticed any drips/leaks.  My brakes do need to be properly bled as the right is soft until you pump it up.

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With the 201 windshield, do you have the small triangular panels?  Otherwise, I’m guessing access is problematic.  

When the brakes were solid, did the parking brake hold then?  Or was it always slipping…

Sounds like @Andy95W has the inside track on troubleshooting.  Once you identify which valve you have, the o-ring part numbers are in the mx manual (104).  Or, depending on which valve, a replacement/salvage valve might be in your future.

[Echo]

  On 10/20/2024 at 1:45 AM, 47U said:

With the 201 windshield, do you have the small triangular panels?  Otherwise, I’m guessing access is problematic.  

When the brakes were solid, did the parking brake hold then?  Or was it always slipping…

Sounds like @Andy95W has the inside track on troubleshooting.  Once you identify which valve you have, the o-ring part numbers are in the mx manual (104).  Or, depending on which valve, a replacement/salvage valve might be in your future.

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Yes.  I have SW Texas J type that retains side access to avionics.  I guess I will not repair if inner seal (not able to fix without new) is problem)  Thanks for knowledge Andy and 47U.  Scott

[Echo]

Wow!  Two awesomes today. The new Concorde GETS WITH THE PROGRAM!  Spins WAY stronger than old Gill. 
 

Tailwinds are awesome!  Quick flight today. 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2024 by Echo

[Echo]

What a beautiful day to fly.

 

[Echo]

Happy to report I finally got my Accu-Flite Brittain Directional Heading Bug installed in my Mooney.  I had installed the rear controller and replaced old black tubing prior.  The suggestion from fellow Mooney spacer to install by right knee was perfect location.  Hardest part was finding the left right wires in the cockpit from the old system which are being used with the Accu-Flite.  Looking forward to flight/function test. 

[DCarlton]

  On 11/5/2024 at 11:55 PM, Echo said:

Happy to report I finally got my Accu-Flite Brittain Directional Heading Bug installed in my Mooney.  I had installed the rear controller and replaced old black tubing prior.  The suggestion from fellow Mooney spacer to install by right knee was perfect location.  Hardest part was finding the left right wires in the cockpit from the old system which are being used with the Accu-Flite.  Looking forward to flight/function test. 

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Nice that your DG Adapter is easy to access.  Those test ports can be handy.  Mine is tucked away behind the left footwell carpeted panel against the firewall.  

[T. Peterson]

I just stumbled across this thread, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading! It’s a great story! Thank you @Echo for posting your wonderful ownership experience.

[Echo]

  On 11/6/2024 at 12:44 AM, T. Peterson said:

I just stumbled across this thread, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading! It’s a great story! Thank you @Echo for posting your wonderful ownership experience.

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Very nice of you to reply.  My Mooney experience really has been wonderful.  Scott

[Echo]

Well the Accu-Flite is eactly as I remembered from my first plane.  Works fantastic in keeping the plane on course.  I took two 2+ hour flights to Arkansas and the Brittain DG worked flawlessly.  Once trimmed I found i could esentially fly hands off.  No altitude hold needed.  Without the Accu-Flight heading corrections resulted in altitude deviations, wash, rinse, repeat.  LOVE THIS SYSTEM in a short-bodied Mooney.  All in with installation it cost 2AMU's.  I highly recommend this system if you are on a budget.

[Z W]

Our M20C had one of the Brittain systems, can't remember which any more, but it would fly the heading bug perfectly.  No altitude hold, but once you had it trimmed out in cruise, you could usually hold altitude +/- 10 feet by leaning forward in your seat to go nose-down, and back to go nose-up, or bending your knees and pulling up your feet a little closer.  Made for a fun game on a long cross-country.

[Echo]

Quick question.  When installing the Brittain system installer noticed a Dukes branded component under panel that had a "bellows" (his verbage).  We were tracing a vaccum line and it went to this.  Any idea what its function is?  My guess is gear related, but I don't know.

[DCarlton]

  On 11/19/2024 at 1:33 AM, Echo said:

Quick question.  When installing the Brittain system installer noticed a Dukes branded component under panel that had a "bellows" (his verbage).  We were tracing a vaccum line and it went to this.  Any idea what its function is?  My guess is gear related, but I don't know.

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My original airspeed safety switch was a Dukes.  Obviously it went to the pitot circuit though not the vacuum circuit.  

[Echo]

I completed my first oil change for my plane.  Biggest pain was finding a suitable hose for the quick drain.  The drain is bigger than 1/2" and smaller than 5/8.  I tried unsuccessfully to find a perfect fit for quick drain adapter with a couple trips to hardware store.  I settled on using the 5/8 which was loose, but larger than the quick drain.  The tubing (clear) was somewhat stiff with the colder temps and I used a longer section bracing in bottom cowl and exiting into wheel wheel into collection bucket.  Made a bit of a mess initially, but oil was cold so flowed slowly.  I will do BETTER next time.  At lease the de-cowling was uneventful.

Edited December 6, 2024 by Echo

[Hank]

@Echo, changing the oil is an excuse to fly twice! Once to warm the oil for draining, and again to check for leaks afterwards. 

[Echo]

I am having a SkyTech starter and Zeftronics Voltage Regulator installed tomorrow by my A&P.  Looking forward to the extra prop spin and weight savings.  My regulator dates to 1965 (original to plane) so doing that as well as starter pre-emptively.  Both were purchased here on Mooneyspace.  Hopefully they both work and install is straight forward.  Both were purchased used.

[Echo]

Installation went smoothly today.  Both the starter and Voltage regulator working perfectly.  Nice upgrades.  Three hours labor for work.  Job done.