Looking at a 65 7eca with 800 SMOH on a o235 and 3000 tt metal spars, spades, 26” Bush wheels. This will be my first aircraft so looking for some help on a good price and things to look for.

Your wife's approval would be the first thing I would be concerned with.

Sounds like a fun airplane, I had a 7ECA many years ago, fun airplane but not a powerhouse by any means.

Well I'm not the smartest guy here, or an expert. But I do own a '65 7ECA. Mine has been converted (thank the Maker) to an O-320-A2B so I have none of the "it can be underpowered" issues.

Short version for the time impaired: Spars, fabric, rear longerons (rust through), engine/prop condition, clean paperwork in the logs.

Long version:
Well you already know about aluminum spars I guess. If that's important to you, then two thumbs up. I'm in the camp of staying with wood but I'm not going to waste any space in your thread with why that is.

With aluminum wings the next question is about useful load. If you got Millman spars you got great engineering but took a hit to your useful load. If you got factory wings then you may/may not have also been awarded a 100 lb increase in useful load, mostly eaten up by the increase in weight of the wings. My opinion: An airplane that is 100 lbs heavier does not fly better

Spades are awesome, especially if you don't have enough scars and lacerations on your face and head. They are likewise awesome in the way they balance aileron forces with other two axis. My Citabria was the first one I flew without spades, and after my first takeoff I had a "WTF?" moment getting used to how they normally are.

That age of Citabria has the dual exhaust, with dual mufflers and an AD to pressure test often. My IA replaced my right muffler this year and all the clamps last year. They are problematic.

Landing gear bolts. You're here on Backcountry Pilot so I'm going to assume you aspire to landing on "other than pavement" on occasion.
Before I go on I'll preface by saying that the '65 came with Champ style "No-Bounce" gear. If that is what you have then disregard the next paragraph. If your potential aircraft is like mine, it has been converted to "Bounces-Plenty" spring steel gear.

You'll want to assure the older syle bent square U-bolts have been replaced with the bar that has two beefy AN bolts through it. They're easy to see outside the plane where the main gear goes into the fabric. My mechanic told me the ones he has seen fail don't break at the corner of the U like one might expect, but at the threads right were the nut is.
I can guarantee that if you don't replace them ASAP it will creep you out every time you land on a rough strip not knowing if today is the day.

Things about a Citabria that old which I prefer over the newer planes:
Big doors on the cowling. I can change oil without removing the cowl. I can also inspect my engine thoroughly during pre-flight.
Slider window on the left side. Proper ventilation achieved throughout the seasons and flight envelope.
Heel brakes. They take about five minutes to get used to and are an excellent theft deterrent.

This one is a 1999 and requires a full blown restoration. This might give you some insight on how these planes can fall apart.

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/topi ... rora-22903