Brand New(refit) Acclaim about to be completed!

[Schllc]

PREP

Prop has been installed!

Unfortunately the wiring harness for the surefly did not arrive so I didn’t get the electronic ignition installed. But there was plenty more to do.  
In this visit with Brian K we got a good amount done. 
1.  Installed new prop and spinner. 
2.  Changed all exterior lighting to LED. 
3.  Two new magnetos and timing adjusted. 
4.  Chafe tape on cowling replaced.   
5.  Rerigged landing gear for door adjustments. 
6.  Flap actuator adjustment for correct position indications. 
7.  Bled and changed brake fluid. 
8.  Changed all landing gear pucks. 
9.  Installed bob fields inflatable door seal. 
10.  Changed landing light lenses. 
 

I almost wish that I had flown the plane with just the prop and done the door seal later. 
Both of these items were done for noise reduction, and both appear to have made a significant difference.  The flight back from Texas was almost 5 decibels quieter which is an enormous improvement. 
the prop on the ground sounds really different, but the noise in cruise is extremely quiet. The prop response is much quicker and while the advertised weight savings of 28# is a flat out lie, there was an actual 18# weight saving which makes a pretty big difference in landing. I also notice that the elevator is about 1/2” less deflection in cruise and it appears to be about 3kts faster in cruise.  
The lower cowling is a little more difficult to remove and replace, but still easier than an ovation, and I can still do it alone. 
The TKS slinger ring is also a MUCH design than the hartzell and  works much better. 
I am very happy with the prop and am thoroughly enjoying the restoration process. 
I will make a separate post regarding the door seal install, for any of those interested in installing. I believe after doing one, I could do it over again in less than 3 hours. It is incredibly simple once you know the shortcuts. 
 

Coming items….

updated fuel caps to new style. 
surefly mag install. 
new glass all the way around. 
New interior  
reseal of tanks  
new landing gear doors on right side. 
brake system overhaul. 
new paint. 
 

pending/contemplating

type S conversion. 
corrosion X treatment. 
motor mounts. 
new panel cutout to install 275 in center and push mfd over. 
earthX batteries

[exM20K]

The 4 blade prop and matte black spinner are badass.  Can you spin the MT prop @ 2700 rpm for the 310HP jailbreak?

-dan

 

[Slick Nick]

That looks awesome!

[Schllc]

14 hours ago, exM20K said:

The 4 blade prop and matte black spinner are badass.  Can you spin the MT prop @ 2700 rpm for the 310HP jailbreak?

-dan

 

Yes, it is capable of 2700rpm. 

[dkkim73]

That is a very interesting idea to which you allude with the panel: 

Replacing backups with a GI-275 in the center. It's funny I always hear about the STC limitation with the G1000 but I rarely hear about big panel mods. 

Someone theorized that you might be able to cross feed data between the 275 and the G1000, and get better communication with other Garmin devices that way. (I know Lance is looking at a more direct flightstream based mod right now...)

You could also drop a second unit in HSI mode underneath and get a more full featured backup set... You also probably know this, but if you put in a Garmin USB plug you can also use that for updates. 

Looks like it's shaping up as a really custom plane. Vaguely envious of your slight aft CG. 

 

[Danb]

Ray it is badass, I’d love to know the difference the four blade makes, you’ll end up with the nastiest Acclaim around. It’ll look fast just sitting on the ramp. We need a turbo or all Mooney flyin somewhere some weekend. Be cool to see 40-50 badass planes sitting together. 

[Schllc]

The only difference in sound is on the ground it whistles a little and sounds choppier than the three blade. In cruise the noise isn’t very different, except it is quieter. Not sure how much is the door seal and how much is prop. 

[Schllc]

9 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

That is a very interesting idea to which you allude with the panel: 

Replacing backups with a GI-275 in the center. It's funny I always hear about the STC limitation with the G1000 but I rarely hear about big panel mods. 

Someone theorized that you might be able to cross feed data between the 275 and the G1000, and get better communication with other Garmin devices that way. (I know Lance is looking at a more direct flightstream based mod right now...)

You could also drop a second unit in HSI mode underneath and get a more full featured backup set... You also probably know this, but if you put in a Garmin USB plug you can also use that for updates. 

Looks like it's shaping up as a really custom plane. Vaguely envious of your slight aft CG. 

 

Im pretty sure it doesn’t cross talk to the AP or EIS at all. Maybe the transponder. I just think it’s a more practical location in your were to ever need it…

it’s a lot of work, that doesn’t really add value and questionable necessity. 
It would look cool and I don’t suspect the mfd is that much harder to reach in our planes. 

[exM20K]

1 minute ago, Schllc said:

I just think it’s a more practical location in your were to ever need it…

Yeah, the Mooney backup gauges are not in a good location.  The best I’ve experienced is in the Diamond G1000 planes: right across the top.

The big scimitar MT prop on the DA40 XLS also whistles.  I always thought it was cool.

-dan

[Schllc]

It isn’t an unpleasant sound at all.  I think any time your plane sounds different it seems acute at first. The da42 and the diamond star also whistl, and both had mt props. 

[Danb]

Ray when you get a chance send a pix of the panel addition 

D

[Schllc]

On 2/16/2025 at 12:18 PM, Danb said:

Ray it is badass, I’d love to know the difference the four blade makes, you’ll end up with the nastiest Acclaim around. It’ll look fast just sitting on the ramp. We need a turbo or all Mooney flyin somewhere some weekend. Be cool to see 40-50 badass planes sitting together. 

I would love to see a deck full of turbo mooney’s!

[Schllc]

On 2/17/2025 at 5:52 AM, Danb said:

Ray when you get a chance send a pix of the panel addition 

D

No time frame on when/if that will be done. 

[mhoffman]

So i currently have a 2007 Acclaim, do you know any shops that do the Type S conversion in 2025 also do you think it would be worth the $ ?

[exM20K]

Probably should check with @Pmaxwell at Don Maxwell.

If it were more than a couple AMU's, I wouldn't bother.  Speed gain is not meaningful, and the stall is 1ish KCAS higher.

-dan

[mhoffman]

7 hours ago, exM20K said:

Probably should check with @Pmaxwell at Don Maxwell.

If it were more than a couple AMU's, I wouldn't bother.  Speed gain is not meaningful, and the stall is 1ish KCAS higher.

-dan

Thanks

[Schllc]

On 3/9/2025 at 1:06 PM, mhoffman said:

So i currently have a 2007 Acclaim, do you know any shops that do the Type S conversion in 2025 also do you think it would be worth the $ ?

The conversion is subject to parts availability. 
the most expensive element is the prop, the second is the nose gear truss and doors, which are not available. 
the flap gap seals and the cowl vanes are not expensive and available. 
the last item is the removal of the hinge covers. 

I think the prop is the bulk of the speed gain, and the others are a benefit in the higher altitudes.  
I already changed my prop, and am about to paint the plane so I installed rhe items available.  It was more advantageous financially bc of everything I’m already doing to the plane. 
I’ll be able to give a p-rep once the work is done. 

[Geoff]

I added the flap seals to my non-S 2007 Acclaim and it was worth an honest 3-4 kts @ 15,000.  FYI I have FIKI so YMMV.

[Schllc]

Wow, so it’s been a little over a year since this journey started! And it’s getting very close to completion. The plane is now at paint which by design was the final step. 
to date here is what I have done:

changed landing gear pucks    
rebuilt 1 mag and replaced other with surefly
new fine wire plugs
new ignition harness
mt prop and spinner
New prop governor
new engine driven fuel pump
new fuel boost pump
new alternator and hub
all new engine hoses
new engine mounts
baffle tune up and replace as necessary
one new turbo, one rebuilt
new ELT
flight stream 210 for flight stream for flight plan upload
wass upgrade
new transponder with Adsb in and out
Type S conversion
all new insulation with 1” SoundEX
all new windows and windshield with 1/4” glass and UV protection
completely new interior and glareshield
new amsafe seat belts, inflators and sensors
new rear seat belts
new led light conversion
new light lenses
new tires
lemo plugs in rear added
complete brake overhaul with new hoses
Most recent g1000 software
compete detail of interior and fuselage once interior removed
new style fuel cap install  
complete strip and reseal of tanks  
new comms antennas
Bore scope review from savvy with prophylactic valve lapping
change all intake valve seals  (little less than one quart per 10-12 hours since)
change all rotocoils  
new air filter
new inflatable door seal & new baggage door seal. 
complete TKS system service, with many new lines, filter, prop tube and reglued all TKS strips
punishingly thorough annual with Brian Kendrick.
There is also and endless list of little things that I can’t even remember.  
The goal was to make this as close to a brand new plane as possible, and make it completely squawk free.  
The only item I haven’t done yet are the batteries. I’m planning to use the earthX batteries. The concords are 7 years old and test good for now, if the stc for the batteries was done I would have replaced, if it isn’t done by the time I need them I will install with a field approval.

now…. I just have to convince the wife to let me keep it!

PS  sorry for poor interior photos, lighting was awful when I had my chance and when I went back to the paint shop it was masked off and unavailable to photograph.

Really excited about the paint, Joe with Hawk is the real deal  super nice guy, great communication, and lets me nitpick to my OCD’s content.

Hoping to give birth in march!

 

[Max Clark]

Incredible project! Can't wait to see the paint!

A festering desire for more speed and altitude has been building in the back of my mind, so I daydream with Acclaim listings. Then I remember I'd lose ~250lbs useful load and snap back to reality.

[Schllc]

An ovation with an 1200# useful load is a coveted model.  Can’t top that for sure. 

[exM20K]

17 minutes ago, Max Clark said:

Incredible project! Can't wait to see the paint!

A festering desire for more speed and altitude has been building in the back of my mind, so I daydream with Acclaim listings. Then I remember I'd lose ~250lbs useful load and snap back to reality.

Apples:apples, the TSIO 550G is approximately 50# heavier than the IO 550G.

https://continental.aero/specsheets/Continental-specsheet-Avgas-550-Engine-Series-v2_WEB.pdf

There are some ways to buy back a bit of useful load, but it’s not obvious where the other 200# is lost.  I am super jelly of a > 1100# useful load long body.

-dan

[dkkim73]

4 hours ago, Schllc said:

to date here is what I have done:

 

Wow. Very very extensive. 

 

4 hours ago, Schllc said:

change all intake valve seals  (little less than one quart per 10-12 hours since)

Haven't heard of this before. Are these along the valve stems? Or pressed into the heads? 

[Schllc]

9 hours ago, dkkim73 said:

Wow. Very very extensive. 

 

Haven't heard of this before. Are these along the valve stems? Or pressed into the heads? 

To be honest I don’t know the answer, but I assume they are along the stems.  I would think If they were pressed into the head, the replacement would have required a lot of more disassembly.

[Max Clark]

On 1/6/2026 at 5:07 PM, Schllc said:

An ovation with an 1200# useful load is a coveted model.  Can’t top that for sure. 

1092 to be exact