What started as an oil change

[Bkingnorth]

First off, i am new to mooneyspace. I'm normally a "lurker" not a "poster". I figured that next year i will be attending Oshkosh for the first so i would get to know a few people with similar interest before hand to gather recomendations and advise from people that are experienced in these events.

First off, i am a new pilot. For the last 18 years, i have been dreaming of becoming a private pilot, owning a mooney (long love affair) and living that illusive taboo of flying yourself to that beach vacation destination with my family with total freedom. Ive been with my wonderful wife for eleven years. On July 10 2009 we had our first girl Eleanor and second Annabelle on August 14 of 2011. I decided it was time before Anna joined us to finally get my "Private" . On may 31st 2011 i took my discovery flight. My first lesson was June 6th. I was awarded my Private Certificate 39 days later on July 14th. 2011. The week before i took my checkride, i was presented with a great opportunity to get into a mooney partnership and continue on to my instrument rating. I had my instrument done by winter. (done nights and sundays, i own two businesses) .

On to the plane. We have a 67 20F. It had fairly low hours when we got it (1820TT) with 825 SMOH. I analized the log books for reasons for the overhaul at such low time. I noted that in the late 80s, it sat for a few years. Compressions were very low and assumed that when it changed hands(sold) the new owner decided on an overhaul. The rest of the plane was in fair condition with original interior (gross) original basic IFR platform and poor paint job.

I have been flying it with basic maintenance changing the oil every 25hrs. I had it my shop changing the oil and found an issue. An small oil leak off the bottom of #1 cylinder base. I consulted with a few other mechanics and it was the census that it was a seepy through stud. After flying for a while, and regular inspections, the leak turned into a crack in the case. After alot of research i found that when the plane sat for years, they needed to top 1&2. The mechanic overtightened the #1 front lower stud cracking the case. The plane was sold and the case was repaired with the compliment of an overhaul.

After finding crack:

I pulled the engine and began a firewall foward overhaul.

Doing:

1.Cowl enclosure

2.External oil filter

3.JPI EDM 830

4. Rebuilt Nose gear and mains. New bearing, liners, tires and tubes

5. New 4place intercom

6. stand by vac.

7. LYCON balance porting high comp top

8. Complete strip and repaint. (running it through my shop lakeside aviation)

9. Complete new interior

10. All new windows. I dont want tape lines in the paint or old corrosion left under the fasteners so i removed the windows. Decided i hate the green tint so...I have excellent condition set if anyone is in need.

11. HSI

12. New Tach

13. Conchord battery

14. Skytech starter

This is where im at so far.. I want to put a GNS430w in it but, funds are low now this year.

It all started with an oil change

I'm should have everything done for spring. Next year i want to start getting to some events.

[Cruiser]

^{Welcome and I hope you will continue to share your experiences with us here at MooneySpace.}

^{You are certainly getting to know your plane. Sounds like it is going to be a beauty.}

^{do you have a paint scheme selected? Take a look at allsmiles new paint job on N910BU. I love the tail art.}

[Marauder]

Welcome to the site! Your story is one that I could have told. People often ask why I didn't just sell my F and move up to a newer Mooney instead of updating it. Exactly for the reason you uncovered. I know my plane inside and out. I have owned it for 21 years and "upgrading" to a newer plane may mean doing nothing more than moving to a whole new set of problems.

[scottfromiowa]

My "Co-Owner"/partner is a "lurker" too. Maybe you will motivate him to come to the light...

Look forward to seeing more pics. A lot of great improvements. Enjoy!!!

[thinwing]

It is a sickness..I have never owned an aircraft I have not personally torn apart...engine on a stinson,all the rag on a maule,two engines,props and panel on a Baron,total 1200 hr rebuild on a bell 47,floats on a husky and finally glass panel on a Bravo.Welcome to the madness..you are learning alot

[N601RX]

I'm not sure if you have put the windows back in or not, but removing the strip from between the rear windows and putting in a newer style 1 pc window will help the looks.

[kris_adams]

Welcome to the board. I look forward to seeing more pictures of your progress. Where are you based?

[garytex]

Whew! thats a list. The other side if the coin is that when it's all done, you can probably coast for a while. Good luck, Gary

[fantom]

That's one heck of an oil change! Welcome aboard, or at least out of the dark .

If you don't post much until the spring, we'll understand why. Best of luck.

[Bkingnorth]

^{Welcome and I hope you will continue to share your experiences with us here at MooneySpace.}

^{You are certainly getting to know your plane. Sounds like it is going to be a beauty.}

^{do you have a paint scheme selected? Take a look at allsmiles new paint job on N910BU. I love the tail art.}

Not certain at this point. I have a Paint shop at KDKK. I will most likely be a little more liberal when i spray it. I plan i having it for a while and could not care about resale( like paint scheme has that big of an effect on a 67 F's resale).

[Bkingnorth]

I'm not sure if you have put the windows back in or not, but removing the strip from between the rear windows and putting in a newer style 1 pc window will help the looks.

Im putting new windows in. Grey tint. If i could find a 1pc rear glass STC and kit i would. Ive been looking without any luck. Evidently F's aren't popular enough anymore for places to continue manufacturing them.

[N601RX]

Im putting new windows in. Grey tint. If i could find a 1pc rear glass STC and kit i would. Ive been looking without any luck. Evidently F's aren't popular enough anymore for places to continue manufactoring them.

Most people have just done this as a logbook entry. You will need to buy 2 new rear windows for a J model. Also you will need to order the 2 pieces of aluminum angle the the J's used above their window. The last year the F was made it came from the factory this way. I have a letter from Mooney stating that that strength and W&B is not affected and they consider it a minor change. If your IA will not go along with this a field approval should be easy since you are just upgrading to the newer style using Mooney parts. If I remember correctly the single window was cheaper than the 2 windows and the anglar support was about $100. I can get the pn's out of my logs if you are interested in them

[Jerry 5TJ]

I started to tighten the generator belt....

• Found the generator bolts were loose.
  
• Removed those, discovered generator bolts were wrong type.
  
• Ordered proper bolts
  
• Examined Generator mounts, saw they had oval holes.
  
• Removed mounts, welded up, and re-drilled new holes
  
• While it was out, saw generator looked old, so sent it for rebuild.
  
• While waiting for rebuild, ordered a new voltage regulator
  
• While installing Zeftronics, old wire broke, installed new harness
  
• Belt looked worn, so removed prop and installed new belt
  
• Eventually put it all back together, and the belt was now tight.
  

A typical Mooney project, IMO

[Bkingnorth]

Most people have just done this as a logbook entry. You will need to buy 2 new rear windows for a J model. Also you will need to order the 2 pieces of aluminum angle the the J's used above their window. The last year the F was made it came from the factory this way. I have a letter from Mooney stating that that strength and W&B is not affected and they consider it a minor change. If your IA will not go along with this a field approval should be easy since you are just upgrading to the newer style using Mooney parts. If I remember correctly the single window was cheaper than the 2 windows and the anglar support was about $100. I can get the pn's out of my logs if you are interested in them

Wow. Great info. I am very interested. I won't have a problem with an IA to endorse it. I appreciate the insight. If you wouldn't mind, I may pm you about this for further information. Thank you!

[carusoam]

One member had photos posted a couple years ago. It seems that the older photo galleries seem to be locked up. I think they belonged to George?

It is possible that it was done in NJ at AirMods.

Hopefully you can get access.

Best regards,

-a-

[Bkingnorth]

[Bkingnorth]

Still have to do the headrests. Front and rear.

[Marauder]

Damn, that is nice! I'm coming over to your house, so you can do mine! Where do you live?!

[carusoam]

The furniture is nice, but the shop floor is incredible!

Best regards,

-a-

[scottfromiowa]

Yummy. Really like those seats. Beautiful.

[danb35]

The seats look great. I'll take a full set, please.

[Lionudakis]

Wow ! I want new seats now !

[butchgilbert]

1975 M20F, very similar story in 2002. Oil leak, found a cracked case. Overhauled the engine (Zephyr Engines), new Lord mounts, installed new JPI, new exhaust system, same alternator, vacuum pump and VR, plus the annual. Overhauled the engine with new cylinders, new cams, new plugs and harness. Overhauled the prop and governor. All told, $30K. Worth it since I fell in love with the airplane

all over again. It will be worth it, good luck.

[MB65E]

Hi guys, I have enjoyed everyone and all the stories/ pictures over the last year. I finally had to comment. We bought a M20E in December of 2011 in Ohio and flew it back to PHX. The little airplane did fine. Noticed some oil streaking out the right side of the cowl when we to phx. Pretty much went down hill from there. It was just annualed by a MSC in Indiana...

Being an IA myself it's hard to imagine what some shops let go these days. I went over the logs, spent 6hrs looking at them, another day looking at the airplane. Test flight was fine so we decided to take the plane.

So I dive into this oil leak... Found it leaking pretty good from the prop gov. Decided to change to a Skytech starter, and there it was a 6 inch crack from the case at #2 cylinder base to underneath the starter. Pulled the engine to tare into it. Case was shot, cam was soon to be shot. Still had the 3 piece oil pump with the alu gears with the AD signed for. Sent all I could out for rework, ended up with a lot of new parts. Glad I found the crack because it had so many internal issues I couldn't believe. All in all, I have an engine now that is totally overhauled to the latest standards! Can't wait to finally get this thing in the air. While I redid the engine my airplane partner re-worked the panel and some other issues. We were thrilled so many people are installing glass these days. Really makes the Hsi and other stuff affordable! I'll try to throw some pics up when I can.

Love the site and I'm happy to help or entertain most maintenance questions you all may have.

Fly safe -Matt

[Mcstealth]

Welcome Matt and thanks for the offer.

 

DF