Still awaiting the new firewall, but in the meantime the engine is getting built up. Some progress pics from today:

-DP

Engine porn… very nice!

SixTwoLeemer wrote:Engine porn…!

I concur! Except we're putting stuff on, not taking stuff off... Here's more where that came from:

Firewall arrived before the weekend, Woohoo!


The one it replaced:


Baffling, exhaust and air filter:

Looks great!

robw56 wrote:Looks great!

Thanks Rob! I wish my interior was going to look half as good as yours is going to.
-DP

Just wanted to say that I only have the highest commendations for the guys at Chena Marina who are doing this conversion. Stopped by today and got another mouth-watering preview:

-DP

Looks awesome DP. I'm jealous! Can't wait to here the first flight report.

Looks great, and I also can't wait to hear the pilot report. Also would love to hear what the final total is, I hear all sorts of numbers being thrown around, and would like to know what it really cost. Again, looking great.

corefile wrote:Also would love to hear what the final total is, I hear all sorts of numbers being thrown around, and would like to know what it really cost.

Sure- would you like that dollar amount in pounds or in cubic yards?!

Just kidding. I don't mind sharing, but don't fool yourself that it will make sense on paper. I think my kids can still go to college.

-DP

DP,

The front looks to be coming along well. I bet you're excited for the finished product. I'll be waiting for the first flight report also.

You recommended Chena Marina to me before. I ran out of time to talk to them about my fuel tank problem. I'll try to chat them up when I get back.

Brett

UH-60andC-180 wrote:DP,

The front looks to be coming along well. I bet you're excited for the finished product. I'll be waiting for the first flight report also.

You recommended Chena Marina to me before. I ran out of time to talk to them about my fuel tank problem. I'll try to chat them up when I get back.

Brett

Brett,

Add one more to the fan base of Chena Marina Air. Mark and Nathan are great mechanics, very knowledgeable, and really nice folks. Mark probably knows more about Cessna 170 s than anyone, and he owns one he built up. Nathan is more inclined toward Cubs, but both these guys are great mechanics.

They've both worked on my airplanes many times, and I've never had any complaints at all.

MTV

Spent some more money today on USB ports, Airgizmo panel dock, and an angle adapter. Because you don't get to ogle the engine in-flight!!

-DP

UH-60andC-180 wrote:DP,

The front looks to be coming along well. I bet you're excited for the finished product. I'll be waiting for the first flight report also.

You recommended Chena Marina to me before. I ran out of time to talk to them about my fuel tank problem. I'll try to chat them up when I get back.

Brett

Let me add my recommendation to his. Used them for seven years, they do great work.

Today I'm contemplating panel layout. The CGR-30P replaces a half-dozen or so steam gauges, which leaves plenty of vacant holes. Besides just plugging them, I'm pondering moving some stuff around. Both pilot and copilot sides will have 12V cigarette lighter adapters as well as USB chargers. In addition I think I'll install a RAM mount on the far right-hand side for the option of running an iPad/ iPad mini. The PTT wiring will be integrated into the yokes, so that will get cleaned up too. The 296 will be at the top of the center stack with an angle adapter, followed by the radio, transponder, and glovebox. Wondering if anybody would make the case to move any of the 3-1/8" instrument heads around.

-DP

DP,

Any updates? I've been checking back on this periodically.

Brett

UH-60andC-180 wrote:DP,

Any updates? I've been checking back on this periodically.

Brett

Hi Brett,
Not too much to report from this last interval. There's been a little bit of waiting on orders to come in. Been accumulating USB ports, Air Gizmo angle adapter, and got the Atlee rear seats back from upholstery. The upholstery shop reused my old rear seat fabric, so the whole interior still matches.
I hope to get up there again at the end of this week. Need your plane checked up on at all?
-DP

A few more photos from today of fitting the nose bowl. A new top cowl is being fabbed with big top-hinged doors on both sides. The old bottom cowl is being reused, with modifications.

The panel is all reworked, the firewall is riveted in place, and the engine is virtually all assembled, including the Tanis heaters which went on today.

The other exciting news is that the new MT prop courtesy of John at Flight Resource is in the mail, so it should start looking like a flying machine again pretty soon here.

Still more to be done, like paint and other detailing, but it's exciting progress.

-DP

More bright shiny stuff:


New powder coated engine mount made by Atlee

And an Atlee battery box for the Odyssey

First time seeing one of these up close. Now I get what the fuss is about:






specially-procured 4" ductwork for the oil cooler instead of more typical 3", to ensure ample cooling

Fuel transducer for CGR-30P

Is that Teflon tape on the fuel meter threading?

8GCBC wrote:Is that Teflon tape on the fuel meter threading?

It looks more like goop in my full-res photo. I'll check next time I'm at the shop.