Updating 1974 GCBC.

Seat Belts
Changed 2-point lap belts to 5-point.

Instrument Panel
Changed out the old style high instrument panel with the new style lower profile one (all flat without the protruding radio box). After removing the old one I cut all the old tabs and primer bushing off the rear tubing, and then welded the fuel primer bushing and one tab for the mixture back on in the right place. Drilled the panel frame mount channel to match the holes in the bottom of the new panel. Replaced the tach cable with a longer one that came with the used instrument panel, but still had to modify the keyed end for the engine side, $25 at a tach cable shop. Longer oil pressure line. Primer line reached, just.

In the "now you know" dept, the primer gets fuel before the shutoff valve. Shutting off the fuel valve will not shut off fuel to the primer. Also if you do not "lock" the primer plunger it will constantly feed into the carb and drip, drip, drip.

Before:


After:

Well, as of friday I joined the club as well. I am a new pilot in training and decided that owning my own plane for training was the way to go after flying with and listening to many old time pilots over the past 6 years. I picked up a 1977 GCBC with millman spars, vg's, aileron spades, climb and cruise props and several other mods along with a set of 8.5x6 tires and landis ski's. I think it is going to be a great plane to learn in and grow with for quite a while.

I have had a few planes over the years, including 2 citabrias and 2 scouts. If you are camping with them, I cannot imagine not having the right side baggage door. It's one of those things, that once you've had one, climbing over that back seat to get things will not be in your future anymore.

I have a friend her in AK that is working on an STC to make the back window open for just that purpose. I think that mod will be in my future.

...which reminds me

I bought one too!



1994 8GCBC

Currently set up on some 8.5 wheels.

Will mount on some EDO 2130s soon

ZPilot wrote:...which reminds me

I bought one too!



1994 8GCBC

Currently set up on some 8'5" wheels.

Will mount on some EDO 2130s soon

Sweet plane Z and I love white and red.

Cheers

Well that one already has that right side baggage door - is that standard on a 8GCBC? I know the 7 hours endurance extended fuel system in that plane is an option (along with a plastic "orange juice" jug - apologies to crazy heart). The more I pack in mine, the more I like the baggage door idea. Anybody install one of Rainbow Ron's doors http://rainbowflying.com/products.php? Sez no welding, so wondering if it can be done without disturbing the fabric too much.

For you guys that switch the big and small tires, all the literature says to replace the tube every time you pull the wheel apart. At $70 a pop for an 8.5x6 tube that would add up. Is it a real problem or can I just be careful not to pinch?

Karmutzen wrote:For you guys that switch the big and small tires, all the literature says to replace the tube every time you pull the wheel apart. At $70 a pop for an 8.5x6 tube that would add up. Is it a real problem or can I just be careful not to pinch?

Get yourself another set of wheels and switching tires will be much easier. I have a newer set of Cleveland 6 inch wheels with brake disk and 8.00x6 tires that I would be willing to sell for the right price.

Hey Zpilot..mine is almost your twin!

The tale (tail) of two 7GCBC's...one rubber side down, the other rubber side up.

I have an 8GCBC

lancef53 wrote:A1, what type of skis do you have? Are there many choices for skis?

Hey Lance. Sorry for the terribly late reply. Finally got my skis to the home yard. They were at my mechanics shop. They are aero skis, M2000. May be a bit overkill, as they are rated for 2800 pounds, but in all the snow we have this year they sure are nice! As was stated earlier, the 1500s may be a bit small.

David

hicountry wrote:Hey Zpilot..mine is almost your twin!

The tale (tail) of two 7GCBC's...one rubber side down, the other rubber side up.

You know...mine has been on its back twice. (I didn't do it, however!) Once, in the mid-90s around Durango, CO. And the other time was 3 or 4 years ago in Washington.