Is there a resident Aeronca Chief expert within the BCP community, I'm looking for some intel re: float kit/modifications

I PM’d you a local contact of mine who might be able to help. I only ask that you update your thread with any findings.

PM received thanks Zzz.

For the BCP community some of questions rattling around in my melon are as follows.....

Preferred engine, I know that one has been bashed around before but let's throw it out there again ?

Performance mods to said engine, exhaust, pistons etc. ?

Along with engine best prop, non-certified is an option for the purposes of this discussion ?

Airframe modifications, i.e.: beefed up lower longerons etc. ?

For full disclosure all this is for a friend, I am EXTREMELY happy with my S170B NexGen/NM variant, RTRF

Our 48' 7DC Champ had an 85HP with o-200 conversion. Google it. I sold Champ (neighbor) and went with Husky for better backcountry fun. Neighbor added new metal wings and flies daily during reasonably warm months north of Denver. 95-115 HP conversion (depending on who you listen to) Champ does pretty good at Colo high DAs. Bill Pancake was/is (don't know his status) Mr Aeronca and easy to talk to for anything Champ and I assume Chief. He is amazingly knowledgeable for ANYTHING Champ and a nice guy to talk to.

Bill was still at it several months ago, and is a great resource. Just Google his Stc’s and his contact info will pop up.I didn’t know him at all and had kind of a stupid question (yes there is such a thing) and he was great. Budget at least 20-30minutes….

Pete

pburns wrote:Bill was still at it several months ago, and is a great resource. Just Google his Stc’s and his contact info will pop up.I didn’t know him at all and had kind of a stupid question (yes there is such a thing) and he was great. Budget at least 20-30minutes….

Pete

I'll pour myself an adult beverage and given him a call, thanks.

I wasn't going to respond, but since someone already mentioned the Champ, I had a Champ I purchased from a past member of this site. Haven't seen him post in many years though.

The Champ was powered by an O-235 and was on PK1500's. Put 300 hours of float time on it. It was a great floatplane and the one plane that I sold and wished that I kept.
Flew with a few others that Had Champs/Chiefs and on floats I would limit myself to a 85HP minimum, just my opinion. A friend with a 90 HP had a heck of a time taking off with himself and a passenger. He was on 1320 floats and was probably at his limit weight wise.

Thanks for the "intel", current plan is to fit it with 1400's.