denalipilot wrote:

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.

It's a PTFE thread sealant "pipe dope" like Permatex or Gasiola. Only used on pipe threads, never AN fittings.

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

Nope, it's not tape. Those guys know better than using tape in fuel system.

I REALLY like that Del Aire nose bowl.....MUCH better than the old AvCon piece.

Looking great.....I'm sure you're anxious to get her airborne.....and it'll GO.

MTV

mtv wrote:I REALLY like that Del Aire nose bowl.....MUCH better than the old AvCon piece.

Looking great.....I'm sure you're anxious to get her airborne.....and it'll GO.

MTV

Thanks MTV. You probably noticed how the sides of the nose bowl have a downward rake to the seam. Mark will trim a few vertical inches off either side of the original lower cowl, and make the hinged doors come down lower by a corresponding amount. It'll be possible to get a wrench on all of the spark plugs, as well as the injector nozzles, without having to uncowl it.
-DP

Man that is going to be FUN! What a great job they are doing! I too, like that nose bowl over my Avcon conversion...and to have doors open up so you can get to the top and bottom plugs??? Get outta here!!

DP,

Really impressed with the apparent quality of work. You must be getting more and more excited as this progresses.

Brett

mtv wrote:

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

Nope, it's not tape. Those guys know better than using tape in fuel system.

I REALLY like that Del Aire nose bowl.....MUCH better than the old AvCon piece.

Looking great.....I'm sure you're anxious to get her airborne.....and it'll GO.

MTV

I apologize for being an "armchair" IA ! It was late last night and it looked like tape.

She is looking great DP. And I even like your Fuel Injection.

8GCBC wrote:I apologize for being an "armchair" IA ! It was late last night and it looked like tape.

She is looking great DP. And I even like your Fuel Injection.

No apology needed, and I'll be sure to let you know how the fuel injection works out!

denalipilot wrote:

8GCBC wrote:I apologize for being an "armchair" IA ! It was late last night and it looked like tape.

She is looking great DP. And I even like your Fuel Injection.

No apology needed, and I'll be sure to let you know how the fuel injection works out!

I am fully sure you will take good care of her! You just may change my mind about FI

UH-60andC-180 wrote:DP,

Really impressed with the apparent quality of work. You must be getting more and more excited as this progresses.

Brett

Thanks Brett. I'm totally impressed with the work too. Could not be more pleased with how it's turning out. I take no credit- these guys deserve it all. A few more weeks, hopefully.
-DP

p.s. Replacing the firewall was just one example of doing things right. I didn't originally anticipate that, but now that the engine's on, the thought of it hanging from that ratty, worn-out, half-century old swiss-cheese firewall is unthinkable. 100% the right thing to do.

Lower nose bowl mated to cowl. The old exhaust openings will be getting plugged.

denalipilot wrote:Lower nose bowl mated to cowl. The old exhaust openings will be getting plugged.

Man, I REALLY like that nose bowl....looks like what a 170 should look like. But, I'm repeating myself.

MTV

Thanks MTV. Here's an updated shot:

VERY nice!

MTV

denalipilot wrote:Thanks MTV. Here's an updated shot:

That looks great! Am I correct in thinking its a pressure cowling with access doors on the side, similar to a Bonanza?

Waterboy wrote:

denalipilot wrote:Thanks MTV. Here's an updated shot:

That looks great! Am I correct in thinking its a pressure cowling with access doors on the side, similar to a Bonanza?

Not familiar with the Bonanza, but yes, those openings on the side will be top-hinged doors, and the baffling for pressure cooling still has to get added. The old exhaust openings are patched over. The new exhaust exits through the stock opening at the trailing edge of the lower cowl. The opening for intake air in the lower nose bowl still has to get cut out.
Prop is due in on Thursday.

I adore your aircraft. The Lycoming is very exciting!

DP,

That is oh so sweet!!!

You asked for suggestions on panel items…

I would highly suggest in one of your empty holes or somewhere in the panel a good high quality CO detecter. Not a "fun" gadget but CO poisoning can and does happen. Just a thought.

Also, I have a Husky with 3 blade MT and had one with 2 blade MT, I think for your application either would be fantastic. I fly around in a carbureted 360 at 23 inches and 1900 rpm when fun flying around and burn in the 6gph range. If you equal the burn rate of your 0-300 of 7gph in your new setup my guess is you will be going much faster which will be better MPG. I think you will be very happy with your speed and fuel burn rate. I am amazed with how fuel efficient a 0-360 or IO-360 and MT prop can be especially if you run them over square.

Make sure you do a dynamic prop balance even though right out of the box your set up will feel silky smooth, there will be vibration present that you can't feel.

I would also put in some Tempest fine wire plugs right from the start. Since the MT prop does not have the "masking flywheel effect" that a heavy Hartzell does you will possibly feel things such as very minor ignition pulses or slight roughness in your engine that you wouldn't otherwise feel if it had a heavier prop. The fine wire plugs seem to help smooth this out a bit. This is not a big deal by any means and is very very small but never the less it is a possibility with your engine. I did this and I noticed an improvement although it was small. Also, fine wire plugs are a bit more fuel efficient (can't say how much for sure, but they are) and if not dropped or abused will last longer and be cheaper in the long run. I chose Tempest over Champion for reasons that have been posted on various sites, who knows if it is true or not but since I was replacing regular plugs and they were close in price I went with Tempest.

The prop govenor will surge or hunt a little during power and rpm changes with the lighter prop than with the heavier one, this is normal and no big deal, after a short time you won't even notice it.

I really like the fact you are "lighting yourself up" with Aero LED's! I have them and I love em! Everyone comments that they can see me from way out in sunny or cloudy conditions. Great anti collision devices that supplement eyes outside operation. Just make sure you fly with them on all the time so the other guy can see you, they draw very little power and will not burn out. They also work very well for night landings.

I am super impressed with your airplane, even though it is going to cost a bundle, you will have a 170 that will be the envy of everyone as well as a very capable airplane.

Well done!

Kurt

8GCBC wrote:I adore your aircraft. The Lycoming is very exciting!

Thanks!

G44 wrote:DP,

That is oh so sweet!!!

You asked for suggestions on panel items…
...

I am super impressed with your airplane, even though it is going to cost a bundle, you will have a 170 that will be the envy of everyone as well as a very capable airplane.

Well done!

Kurt

Thanks Kurt- I appreciate that you seem to have taken the time to wade through a lot of this thread. Great suggestion on the CO detector. I use a portable now, but if you have a recommendation for a quality panel-mount, please include details.
The plan had been to run the Lycoming factory-supplied spark plugs for the first 500 hours and then go to fine wires when the replacement interval comes due. I'll give that some further consideration and welcome any additional opinions.
I do anticipate that the MPG fuel economy will be pretty good. I still have stock fuel tanks. My thought is to do the Del Air tank mod if I have to, but try it this way first. I seldom exhaust my range now, but who knows, it might become tempting to start doing some longer trips with the gain in cruise speed.
I have to re-confirm, but I believe the conversion shop already has a dynamic prop balance in the works.
Cheers!

-DP

G44 wrote:...The prop govenor will surge or hunt a little during power and rpm changes with the lighter prop than with the heavier one, this is normal and no big deal, after a short time you won't even notice it....
Kurt

About the prop: Initially I am installing a 2-blade 210 cm MT. It's due to arrive as early as tomorrow (Come on, Fed Ex! ) At this point the 3-blade 200 cm MT option is still awaiting STC approval, but it seems to be making good progress. For those not familiar, John Nielsen at Flight Resource, who frequents this site, is developing it using his own O-360/ 170B. His conversion/ restoration has been written up on BCP and in Cessna Flyer, and looks to be a seriously top-notch job.
Anyway, if and when the three-blade option comes online, John has offered me very generous terms to swap out the 2- for the 3-blade. Apart from real-world pull, which I can't knowledgeably speak to, there are a few things I'm attracted to. One is purported smoother running. Another is a reduced prop diameter for rough-field work. Given G44's comment above, I wonder if its added weight might also tame any of that potential governor surging a little bit.
My plan for now is to get it on the scales with the 2-blade once the conversion is complete. Find out the new empty weight and empty CG, and determine how much I want or don't want another 10 lbs on the nose.
-DP