Going to share some photos and hopefully get some insight from you folks with lots more experience than I. A project I found myself in somewhat unexpectedly but have learned a lot so far.

1955 Cessna 170B that was out at a storage barn for a company I work for. It caught my eye from day 1. Problem is it was missing the tail from the first bulkhead behind the cabin back from a wreck 10 or so years ago. We ended up getting a 52' 170B that the tail was mostly fine, some dings and dents to deal with but nothing major. Gear box and such was completely tore up on this one so it was the donor.

My biggest challenge at first was attaching the two. Then after that it was jumping into the panel. I decided to try and go for it myself rather then spend the money on an STC'd panel. This has been the biggest hurdle so far. It is finally coming together.

Pics on the way..

Here it is when we drug it out of the barn



mating the two together



together they go





stripping paint





firewall repair for the batt box



lower panel for switches, fuses and controls upper plexiglass for designing instrument layout



two panels cut, basic instruments cut in, still need to add a few holes

Glad to see N8028A lives on! It was a sad sight to see that plane get 'looped'. Good luck with the rest of the build!

It's great to see a 170 coming back to life! Keep up the good work!

Holy Molly Catfish - at least I could fly mine home before putting in close to two years - Again.
I have stripped down and rebuilt several planes with confidence - but when I saw you first front end photo it was hard to imagine that wad of aluminum ever looking as good as the last picture.

Looks good - Do you have the stock control / yoke column?
Curious Chris C

Looks like serious but great project. What engine are you going with?

Keep us posted.

MTV

Excellent Project! I hope to see continued updates on the progress.

Looking good!
It's great to see an old carcass (or two!) rise again.
I'm guessing it will be registered as the front half (where the data plate is) rather than 28A?
Not quite as extreme a rebuild, but this reminds me of the expression "you can't keep a good data plate down"

Kyle- Now that's impressive! Thanks for posting your progress here. It's like a vicarious Anatomy & Physiology course in 170s.

Like MTV asked- what firewall forward are you looking at?


-DP

Looking forward to seeing more as you progress!!!!

Looks like you are doing well. Thank you for saving another 170. I kind of have a soft spot for them, currently have a 54 B and a 49 A. Bought my first, a 55 B when a student with 12 hours, had another 55 B a few years ago. Not wanting to be the one to put a fly in the ointment, but do you plan to install the correct for a 55 tail wheel steering system shown in fig 65A of the 170B parts manual or get a field approval for using the earlier system? The later system really doesn't work any better than the earlier one.

Tim A&P IA

Thanks for all the encouragement and replies. It has been challenging but fun so far. I honestly didn't quite know what to expect when I started. That panel and yoke assembly has been my biggest holdup.

To answer a few of your questions:

Sticking with the O-300 for now, the 180hp with the CS prop just wasn't in the price book for now.

Ended up sticking with the standard T yoke assembly because my mechanic/IA though the field approval would be easier using a piece that was already there than a whole different assembly. My panel plans worked out fine with it in place as I am planning to mount my Ipad mini in the bottom of the stock in an AirGizmos style dock then just a King KX125 at the top and a x-ponder below that if it will fit, if not it will go bottom right of panel. New aileron cables are in order about 4" shorter than original. Also have close to brand new rudder cables out of another 170B which is a huge bonus.

bat443 wrote:Looks like you are doing well. Thank you for saving another 170. I kind of have a soft spot for them, currently have a 54 B and a 49 A. Bought my first, a 55 B when a student with 12 hours, had another 55 B a few years ago. Not wanting to be the one to put a fly in the ointment, but do you plan to install the correct for a 55 tail wheel steering system shown in fig 65A of the 170B parts manual or get a field approval for using the earlier system? The later system really doesn't work any better than the earlier one.

Tim A&P IA

Tim to be honest I dont think I have made it that far yet. I do have a Scott tailwheel assembly for it, which is pretty standard these days.

Here is the added oil press. and oil temp holes. I messed up and just forgot to check these and realized they are only about 2" and mount from the front unlike the rest of the gauges. They were going to go in the first two smaller holes next to the larger hole and smaller hole vertically. O well, had to still do two more holes in that side anyway so they will now be far right side.

Ok this is just a looks thing for me then functionality but I gotta know...The pic below is my 55' before it was wrecked. Found the picture on google. I have this top half of the cowl but it is kinda dented up. The kicker here is it appears to have a different nose bowl top and bottom like that of a kit for a 180hp. I personally really like this look. Anyone know from looking at this photo what is going on with the nose? Maybe just a new nose bowl with the O-300? I dont believe it had an O-360 before or I would be utilizing that STC if possible.

kygreen229 wrote:Ok this is just a looks thing for me then functionality but I gotta know...The pic below is my 55' before it was wrecked. Found the picture on google. I have this top half of the cowl but it is kinda dented up. The kicker here is it appears to have a different nose bowl top and bottom like that of a kit for a 180hp. I personally really like this look. Anyone know from looking at this photo what is going on with the nose? Maybe just a new nose bowl with the O-300? I dont believe it had an O-360 before or I would be utilizing that STC if possible.

Have you done a records search? It should turn up every approval ever authorized for that N-Number. I personally use Aerospace Reports, but you can get the same info cheaper from FAA if you are willing to be patient. Could be really handy having a list of already-approved STCs and FAs for your bird(s).

ps- the exhaust in that photo is definitely non-standard for an O-300. I'd guess something is for sure going on under that cowl.

-DP

kygreen229 wrote:To answer a few of your questions:

Sticking with the O-300 for now, the 180hp with the CS prop just wasn't in the price book for now.

Good plan- better to have some $$ left over for fuel when you're done.

If you intend to do any type of mountain or short field work, which I suppose you would in ID, then I can't recommend the 8042 climb prop too highly. Best bang for the buck on a O-300. Sportsman too, if that's in the cards.

-DP

denalipilot wrote:

kygreen229 wrote:Ok this is just a looks thing for me then functionality but I gotta know...The pic below is my 55' before it was wrecked. Found the picture on google. I have this top half of the cowl but it is kinda dented up. The kicker here is it appears to have a different nose bowl top and bottom like that of a kit for a 180hp. I personally really like this look. Anyone know from looking at this photo what is going on with the nose? Maybe just a new nose bowl with the O-300? I dont believe it had an O-360 before or I would be utilizing that STC if possible.

Have you done a records search? It should turn up every approval ever authorized for that N-Number. I personally use Aerospace Reports, but you can get the same info cheaper from FAA if you are willing to be patient. Could be really handy having a list of already-approved STCs and FAs for your bird(s).

ps- the exhaust in that photo is definitely non-standard for an O-300. I'd guess something is for sure going on under that cowl.

-DP

Have logs and some records, I need to personally go through the books and I think I have the records that were previously ordered through the FAA. I'm mainly going off of what the mechanic had said previously. My boss had the airplane for the last 9 years or so and just had said that it didnt have the STC for the 180hp. The exhaust your seeing in the photo above is just extensions for the O-300.

Looks like a fun build. That cowling looks longer than my 53 in your picture. Maybe a franklin? Looks like a healthy prop also. It's not a 0-360. It will be a happy bird to be flying again. Greg

The cowling to me looks like that of a ~59 or so 172. I've seen other 170s with it installed. Not sure if it's a field approval, STC, or they just stuck it on there.

I'll throw in a second vote for the 8042 prop. That's what I have on my airplane and it makes a big difference in takeoff and climb performance from the stock prop.