I have a project 180 that is getting the sheet metal work done right now, left gear box, firewall, and cowl repairs. Also the wings and tail feathers are getting fixed up too.

Its going to be a back country toy, Lycon 520, bushweels, sportsman, 88" c66, sport aircraft seats, Dynon panel.

The project came with no engine mount, engine, baffling, carb, airbox, etc... I am not all that well versed on engine mounts, seems there are a significant number of variations. I intend to do a firewall mounted battery, which seems to preclude some engine mounts with the vertical tube up next to the firewall, unless there is another place to mount the Atlee Dodge box. Airboxes seem to be out there used, but other than knowing what year it came off of, how do you determine the proper one?

Anyone on here have the assorted missing parts? Or suggestions on what parts to use and where to get them?

This airplane is intended to be sold when I am done, and I want to make it a very good specimen, without shortcuts.

I may have some parts from my 1958 180A for you. I have a carb airbox that would be compatible. i replaced mine with the new ACORN Airbox. You would need to have mine repaired. It has some cracks but overall is in decent shape. I would actually recommend buying the ACORN product. The old carb airboxes are notorious for cracking and needing repair. Paul at ACORN came up with a new product that has stainless steel at the places that commonly crack. It costs 5500 dollars. Maybe more now with inflation. I am hopeful this fixes a problem that is a real pain in the ass for these old 180s. I have gone through 2 prior rebuilds over 17 years.

I also have a K engine mount and Knisley exhaust. Both will work for the O520 but the bigger engine puts more stress on the mount. I ended up replacing my mount with the Texas Skyways heavy duty mount. My K mount has some cracks and would need repairs. The Knisley exhaust was not compatible with the Texas Skyways mount. I bought an ACORN exhaust and am really happy with the setup. The Knisley Exhaust has about 700 hours on it and is in good shape. I am not sure what the budget is for the project. If it is tight the used parts will work but if you want it done right I think you should go with a Seaplanes West or TS heavy Duty Mount. Lord mounts/bushings and possibly the new ACORN exhaust. All not cheap for these newer parts but these old 180s need better supporting structural parts when being beefed up with a bigger engine - IMHO.

There was an ad on Barnstormers recently. He decided to part out a 1958 C182 TW converted airplane. He may be able to help you with some of the stuff you need. I can't find the ad but have his phone number if you want it. Just message me if you are interested in what I have or want to contact the Barnstormer guy. He is based out of Tennessee.



Josh

Dog is my Copilot wrote:..... I would actually recommend buying the ACORN product. The old carb airboxes are notorious for cracking and needing repair. Paul at ACORN came up with a new product that has stainless steel at the places that commonly crack. It costs 5500 dollars. Maybe more now with inflation. I am hopeful this fixes a problem that is a real pain in the ass for these old 180s. I have gone through 2 prior rebuilds over 17 years. ....

I checked out one of those Acorn airboxes at the NW Aviation Show a couple years ago-- they're beautiful!
However, $5500 is a lot of money.
I recently saw that Air Plains is selling C180 airboxes, and for a lot less-- $2800.
Not sure if this model number is the one you need, so check your IPC.



Re firewall batteries, as I recall the Atlee Dodge box is stood off from the firewall a bit-
this is to allow the seaplane mount tubes to fit behind it.
I think Burl's has an STC'd firewall battery box also.

https://burlac.com/stcs_other_aircraft.html

If you can find an airbox in most any kind of condition, Randy Rubbert can make it better than new for a lot less $$ than either of those air boxes.

MTV

mtv wrote:If you can find an airbox in most any kind of condition, Randy Rubbert can make it better than new for a lot less $$ than either of those air boxes.

MTV

You got a phone number and location ? How quickly can he repair the units ? I have kept my old airbox mostly to have a backup in case the ACORN unit cracks. If it is that cheap I might be interested in sending mine to him for repairs and having it as a backup. I am not sure why these units are so prone to cracking but it seems like the Achilles heel for these early 180s.


Josh

mtv wrote:If you can find an airbox in most any kind of condition, Randy Rubbert can make it better than new for a lot less $$ than either of those air boxes.

MTV

I have a 180 and a cub with airboxes rebuilt by Randy. I think he doesn't advertise this because if he did it would be his full time gig. They are artwork, as are his cub engines btw.
7018473oo8

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:

mtv wrote:If you can find an airbox in most any kind of condition, Randy Rubbert can make it better than new for a lot less $$ than either of those air boxes.

MTV

I have a 180 and a cub with airboxes rebuilt by Randy. I think he doesn't advertise this because if he did it would be his full time gig. They are artwork, as are his cub engines btw.
7018473oo8

Take care, Rob

True that, thanks Rob. Randy has a farm strip in eastern North Dakota. Call him, I think his son does these now. He rebuilt the airbox on my 180 hp 170, and it was a work of art, far better than what Cessna built.

MTV

mtv wrote:

Rob wrote:

mtv wrote:If you can find an airbox in most any kind of condition, Randy Rubbert can make it better than new for a lot less $$ than either of those air boxes.

MTV

I have a 180 and a cub with airboxes rebuilt by Randy. I think he doesn't advertise this because if he did it would be his full time gig. They are artwork, as are his cub engines btw.
7018473oo8

Take care, Rob

True that, thanks Rob. Randy has a farm strip in eastern North Dakota. Call him, I think his son does these now. He rebuilt the airbox on my 180 hp 170, and it was a work of art, far better than what Cessna built.

MTV

Thanks Mike and Rob,


I think it may be worth investing the money in repairing my old Carb Airbox. I could always sell it in a few years if the ACORN one turns out to be as bullet proof as advertised. I will give him a call. Report back on price.


Josh

Tried the number for Rubbert, it just rings and rings.

Can someone who's had their 180 airbox rebuilt recently post how much it cost?
Someone I talked to a while back had one of the airbox guys (not Ruppert) rebuild his--
he got charged a lot of money for a shabby job, which the rebuilder refused to make right.

StillLearning wrote:Tried the number for Rubbert, it just rings and rings.

Randy is a very busy guy. He flies a lot of wildlife surveys for ND Game and Fish, turns wrenches on planes, rebuilds various stuff, has a farm, and owns cabins on lake in Canada for fishing.

That said, I heard his son is doing a lot of the airbox rebuilds lately. Their stuff is top cabin in any case.

Keep trying.

MTV