Bartman Posted September 22 Report Posted September 22 Flew back today from a weekend beach trip and when washing the plane the missing piece fell to the ground when I turned the prop. My wife was helping wash and she heard it hit the ground and said “that didn’t sound good”. No doubt it wasn’t snug enough last time I had the dynamic balance done. We both enjoyed an OH CRAP moment together followed by a beer. I’ve had this plane since 2007 and basically done nothing to the prop or the governor but the blades have been dressed several times so I doubt they would pass. I’m thinking new McCauley C212 for $12,836 per their website.
N201MKTurbo Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 It probably failed because it wasn’t taped properly. Can’t imagine buying a new prop because of it. If you want the prop overhauled, have it overhauled, and let the shop decide if the blades are too far gone. They are probably OK.
Bartman Posted September 23 Author Report Posted September 23 My wife was there when the piece hit the asphalt and she said buy a new propeller. I’m pretty sure it is best I not argue. 1 1
N201MKTurbo Posted September 23 Report Posted September 23 It still seems silly to buy a new prop because of a bad spinner bulkhead. 3
IvanP Posted September 25 Report Posted September 25 On 9/22/2025 at 7:21 PM, Bartman said: My wife was there when the piece hit the asphalt and she said buy a new propeller. I’m pretty sure it is best I not argue. When the wife says to buy something for the plane, it is no time to argue with her Maybe you can get some money for the current prop as salvage. 1
Bartman Posted September 30 Author Report Posted September 30 I know some would not replace the prop, but despite being rebuilt in 1999 the serial numbers show it is from 1977 when 1TF was hatched. I have decided to go with the Hartzell HC-C2YR-1BFP/F7497. With that comes a new backing plate, spinner and bulkhead. The prop govornor is working fine. Very responsive and does no leak or overspeed issues. I've had this aircraft 20 years and thinking it's time to overhaul that, but I'm willing to be talked out of that if someone has some good reasoning. The shop offered some on exachange on the old McCauley C212. 1
N201MKTurbo Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 I will never understand why you don’t just send the prop for overhaul, and buy a new spinner bulkhead.
Slick Nick Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 If you were really looking for a new prop, is there a reason you went with the Hartzell over a C214?
Bartman Posted October 1 Author Report Posted October 1 7 hours ago, Slick Nick said: If you were really looking for a new prop, is there a reason you went with the Hartzell over a C214? The Hartzell has a shorter lead time with the prop shop I'm dealing with I have no desire to shop around I want to be flying with a new prop as soon as practicable The McCauley prop and blades are nearly 50 years old I don't want to send for a rebuild only to find the hub and/or blades unserviceable I don't know how long the inner bulkhead was cracked, leading to vibration and more cracks Unknown vibration effects on the backing plate bulkhead and a possible undiscovered crack I didn't see a crack in the main bulkhead, but with an unknown duration, I don't want to find it later. Along with the propeller, I get a new polished spinner, bulkhead, and backing plate My wife said get a new prop Finally. I like the way the scimitar looks, and it may be quieter and smoother.
N201MKTurbo Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 Ok, might as well buy a new engine well you are at it. 1 1
Slick Nick Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 2 hours ago, Bartman said: The Hartzell has a shorter lead time with the prop shop I'm dealing with I have no desire to shop around I want to be flying with a new prop as soon as practicable The McCauley prop and blades are nearly 50 years old I don't want to send for a rebuild only to find the hub and/or blades unserviceable I don't know how long the inner bulkhead was cracked, leading to vibration and more cracks Unknown vibration effects on the backing plate bulkhead and a possible undiscovered crack I didn't see a crack in the main bulkhead, but with an unknown duration, I don't want to find it later. Along with the propeller, I get a new polished spinner, bulkhead, and backing plate My wife said get a new prop Finally. I like the way the scimitar looks, and it may be quieter and smoother. That’s all well and good, perhaps my question wasn’t clear. Why did you choose the Hartzell over the C214 from McCauley? The 214 would have been an upgrade from your 212.
Bartman Posted November 29 Author Report Posted November 29 Hartzell Top Prop installed and I did the test flight yesterday. Here are a few first thoughts. The old McCauley C212 had a yellow arc to avoid continuous operation from 1600-1900. Operation in that range produced a lot of vibration and from personal experience, it was there for a reason. It would definitely get your attention, and learned to avoid it altogether. I knew from reading and research that the Hartzell Top Prop eliminates that restriction altogether, and I looked forward to this. The vibration eliminated in the 1600-1900 RPM range by this new propeller was truly remarkable. While I nearly completely avoided that RPM range I the past, I found it basically eliminated it. From a smoothness and vibration perspective, it is like flying a new plane. I slowly reduce the throttle from full to idle cutoff, and there was no vibration. Very remarkable. The old McCauley C212 was smooth enough in climb and cruise, but anything less than 2400 produced some vibration and was worse as RPMs decreased. The Hartzell Top Prop was smooth well below 2400 and I look forward to experimenting with new settings. I only had time and ceiling for a a couple of trips around the pattern, and I look forward to evaluating in cruise flight with different RPM settings. I am glad I made the change, and I would do it again. 5
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