Skytec 149NL/EC Installation Issue

[RoundTwo]

For those that have installed the 149 NL/EC on a J, did you encounter this interference and if so, how did you get around it?

[201Steve]

I can’t orient myself here. What line is that? Mine does not look like that

[EricJ]

Not sure what's going on there, but I didn't have that issue.    I think mine is not an EC, though, whether or not that matters.

[RoundTwo]

13 minutes ago, EricJ said:

Not sure what's going on there, but I didn't have that issue.    I think mine is not an EC, though, whether or not that matters.

That’s the fuel line running from the top of the servo up to the divider, or spider.

[RoundTwo]

Here are some more pictures to show context. 

[EricJ]

9 hours ago, RoundTwo said:

That’s the fuel line running from the top of the servo up to the divider, or spider.

Yes, not sure why you're having an interference issue, though.    This is mine installed.   Fuel servo is still there, fittings are probably just out of the shot.   The second pic is my servo fittings with the old Prestolite starter installed, which is quite a bit bigger than the Sky-Tec.

Edit:   The top pic is actually while my starter was still installed in a TIO-540, so isn't representative of clearance in a J model.

[Shadrach]

F model is set up the same. No clearance issue. I’ll take a peek tomorrow.

[N201MKTurbo]

[RoundTwo]

26 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

It looks like they have changed where the wire comes out, moving it aft about 3/8”. In your picture, the central line of the wire is almost at the mating line between the motor case and the rear cap. On mine, it is definitely moved further aft, which gets it very close to the elbow coming out of the fuel servo.

[N201MKTurbo]

31 minutes ago, RoundTwo said:

It looks like they have changed where the wire comes out, moving it aft about 3/8”. In your picture, the central line of the wire is almost at the mating line between the motor case and the rear cap. On mine, it is definitely moved further aft, which gets it very close to the elbow coming out of the fuel servo.

I see what you are saying. Have you called Sky Tec and asked them?

[N201MKTurbo]

I wonder if they installed the grommet backwards.

[RoundTwo]

1 hour ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I see what you are saying. Have you called Sky Tec and asked them?

I’ll be making that call on Monday.

[RoundTwo]

1 hour ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I wonder if they installed the grommet backwards.

That’s a definite possibility.

[LANCECASPER]

9 hours ago, RoundTwo said:

For those that have installed the 149 NL/EC on a J, did you encounter this interference and if so, how did you get around it?

I have seen the 149 NL/EC (Extended Crank) starters used on big Lycomings, like the 540 in the Bravo. I don’t know if the size is the same as the 149 NL. I can’t find the size specs on Skytec’s website. The EC might be too big for the cramped quarters in the J model engine area.

Side by side with your old starter, how do they compare?

[EricJ]

It sure looks like that cover/grommet is backwards.   If it was disassembled for some reason that might have happened, but even for the shear pin repair or other documented repairs it's not necessary to open the motor case.   It looks like perhaps that cable was replaced at some point, which would provide an opportunity to get that sleeve/grommet reversed.

[RoundTwo]

2 minutes ago, EricJ said:

It sure looks like that cover/grommet is backwards.   If it was disassembled for some reason that might have happened, but even for the shear pin repair or other documented repairs it's not necessary to open the motor case.   It looks like perhaps that cable was replaced at some point, which would provide an opportunity to get that sleeve/grommet reversed.

It’s brand new.

[EricJ]

23 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

I have seen the 149 NL/EC (Extended Crank) starters used on big Lycomings, like the 540 in the Bravo. I don’t know if the size is the same as the 149 NL. I can’t find the size specs on Skytec’s website. The EC might be too big for the cramped quarters in the J model engine area.

Side by side with your old starter, how do they compare?

The stock Prestolite is a ginormous boat anchor compared to the 149-NL.   An EC would have to be similarly huge to create a problem.   Whatever he has in the pics, it doesn't look that big.

Edit:   BTW, my 149-NL was removed from a TIO-540 that had been installed on a Malibu, which is apparently why it has a Lycoming part number sticker on it.  

[RoundTwo]

20 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

I have seen the 149 NL/EC (Extended Crank) starters used on big Lycomings, like the 540 in the Bravo. I don’t know if the size is the same as the 149 NL. I can’t find the size specs on Skytec’s website. The EC might be too big for the cramped quarters in the J model engine area.

Side by side with your old starter, how do they compare?

My old starter is the 16 pound Prestolite.

[EricJ]

Just now, RoundTwo said:

It’s brand new.

Oh, that's not encouraging.   :'(

[RoundTwo]

Here’s Skytec’s fitment guide. J’s get either 149 NL for 12v andNL/EC for 24v.

[EricJ]

I'm just noticing that the pic of my 149-NL is while it was still on the TIO-540, so it is not representative of existing clearance on my airplane.   

[RoundTwo]

Closing this out, after speaking with Hartzell several times, this is a known conflict on the IO-360 and they are not concerned about wearing through the boot. I’ve placed some silicone tape between the corner of the fuel fitting and the boot as well as compressing the boot against the starter body to lessen the contact pressure as much as possible. I’ll check it well during annual next April to ensure everything is still OK. I sure wish there wasn’t any contact, but it is what it is.

[MB65E]

For the record, the B&C starters won’t fit the IO360s with the forward mounted fuel servo either. Too bad as it’s a great starter too! 
-Matt