1975 M20F rebuild...which Mods and from where?

[Brock87]

Hey Guys, 

New Mooney owner over here, well actually ive had it for 3 years but its been in the shop! I just found out from my mechanic that we have been waiting for windows, he didnt know why. So i called Lasar and they said because they are moving locations to Oregon, that had to re apply for STC ( im not sure exact details but they said its been over a year)

So now ive taken it upon myself to assemple the parts needed so my mechanic can get this project done.

On my MOD list i want the:

1. 201 windscreen mod (NOW STUCK- SUGGESTIONS?)
2. Change to J side windows
3. Oil Cooler Relocate

My question for you guys is what mods do you recommend or not recommend and where can we still get them?

Thanks!

[Bobaran]

Try Wentworth or other salvage places for the screen.

Sent from my SM-A526U using Tapatalk

[M20F]

I own a F and those 3 mods equate to me selling my F and buying a J, you would be better served going that route. 

[Igor_U]

Wasn't there another company STC to install 201 windshield mod?

As for 201 side windows: this was done with no STC. IIRC, there's actually very late M20F model (1976?) that has this done in a factory. This was done with no stiffeners (angles) on top of the window that M20J has.  We modified mine with stiffeners (bought from Mooney) and new interior trim from LASAR. My IA filed the 337. I think we had a letter from factory engineering stating that middle window sheet metal removed is not structural so my IA was comfortable signing that.

 I have all three mods on my plane and and like windshield the best; it gives spacious feeling compared to original windshield. There's obviously speed gain as well. Oil cooler relocation supposing helps with oil temps and shortens the oil hoses. You could add second landing light to that space.

Good luck.

[Fritz1]

I had a G- model in the late 90s, flying restoration, stock about 137 KT TAS, with alle mods available at the time it went to 155 KT, today there is the Lopresti cowl which gives you another 5 KT, however all that stuff in combination is expensive and time consuming to install, better all bought together installed already . The most bang for the buck is delivered by flap gap seals, aileron gap seals and elevator and rudder hinge covers, all sold by Lasar, a honest 3kt, weight maybe 1lb, after that comes a cowl closure, maybe another 2 kt, once you start, hard to draw the line where to stop, enjoy the journey!

[Ragsf15e]

7 hours ago, Brock87 said:

Hey Guys, 

New Mooney owner over here, well actually ive had it for 3 years but its been in the shop! I just found out from my mechanic that we have been waiting for windows, he didnt know why. So i called Lasar and they said because they are moving locations to Oregon, that had to re apply for STC ( im not sure exact details but they said its been over a year)

So now ive taken it upon myself to assemple the parts needed so my mechanic can get this project done.

On my MOD list i want the:

1. 201 windscreen mod (NOW STUCK- SUGGESTIONS?)
2. Change to J side windows
3. Oil Cooler Relocate

My question for you guys is what mods do you recommend or not recommend and where can we still get them?

Thanks!

I see @Igor_U answered with his thoughts, I’ll give a different view.  I have an F with the 201 windshield and side windows mod.  I don’t know why you’d do the oil cooler relocate.  Solution in search of a problem.  I think the side windows are nice but what do they really do for the airplane?

Now we come to the 201 windscreen… it’s much more sexy than the standard and apparently makes the cockpit feel more roomy? I haven’t experienced that as I haven’t flown a vintage windshield.  However, the 201 mod removes all access to the back of the instrument panel which makes any panel work, hydraulic fluid reservoir filling, circuit breaker issues a real PIA.  Im also not convinced it added any speed.  It looks like it should but mine is certainly not faster than stock and it’s pretty well sorted out.  It does help prevent water leaking on the back of the panel, but that’s preventable anyway.

So if I was you, I might not wait on lasar, and I’d get my airplane flyable!

[MikeOH]

Just to reiterate Rags, I have the 201 and doubt it's any faster as I make book speeds, but not more.  Fortunately, whoever installed it relocated the hydraulic reservoir to the engine side fire wall; no issues there.  I would never relocate the oil cooler; seems pointless.  I also have all the flap, aileron, and elevator gap seals, and dorsal fin mod...never would have spent the money myself, but a PO sure did!  Again, doubtful it's more than 2 kts faster, if that.  Poor return on investment, IMHO.

I also have the one piece belly, which I do recommend if you do any of your own work; and, A&Ps will appreciate it!

[M20F-1968]

I took a 1968 F and turned it into a J, less inner gear doors.  It is a sold 160 kt. airplane at 10,000 ft. at 75% power and 100 ROP.  Full forward at 10,000 ft. it is a 168 ft. airplane at 100% power.  Yes, the J cowling and 201 windshield make a great difference in speed increases compared to the F model book speeds.  I never flew my airplane in its factory configuration as it was apart and not airworthy when I purchased it.  Turbonormalizer increases speeds further up higher as expected.  I also have all the other available gap seals and fairings as speed mods available.

John Breda

[Ragsf15e]

12 hours ago, M20F-1968 said:

I took a 1968 F and turned it into a J, less inner gear doors.  It is a sold 160 kt. airplane at 10,000 ft. at 75% power and 100 ROP.  Full forward at 10,000 ft. it is a 168 ft. airplane at 100% power.  Yes, the J cowling and 201 windshield make a great difference in speed increases compared to the F model book speeds.  I never flew my airplane in its factory configuration as it was apart and not airworthy when I purchased it.  Turbonormalizer increases speeds further up higher as expected.  I also have all the other available gap seals and fairings as speed mods available.

John Breda

I think your J cowl and especially the TN are adding the most significant amount to your TAS.  Possibly the windshield works in combination with the cowl/TN, but I haven’t seen anyone else with good data before/after showing a significant increase from the windscreen alone.

The TN you have is a very desirable upgrade. I wish it was available!