You might try McFarlane, via Acorn Welding. When I punch in 1955 C180 Airbox, this is what I get:

https://www.mcfarlaneaviation.com/produ ... 126-21AWL/

I called both McFarlane and Acorn and they had nothing and don't rebuild the boxes. Since they aren't being made any more (Cessna told me they destroyed the dies and will never make another) we are on our own from here on out. Acorn said they hadn't sold an airbox assembly since 2013. McFarlane doesn't sell anything but the updated bushing kits for the carb heat flap internal to the box. They don't sell any of the skins.

jrc111 wrote:You might try McFarlane, via Acorn Welding. When I punch in 1955 C180 Airbox, this is what I get:

https://www.mcfarlaneaviation.com/produ ... 126-21AWL/

“We’re on our own”

Well, that’s a drag. The hardest part to manufacture is the flange.

Just spitballin’, but a reinforcement repair flange could be fabricated using a brake and shears that would be riveted onto the top skin.

Or, a die could be made as well, and a batch of flanges could be punched out that likewise replace the top skin. That’s probably pretty expensive, though. Maybe 15 yrs ago, the bottom nacelle jowls that join up with the exhaust tunnels on my Twin Comanche had wallowed out rivet holes, and Webco wanted $5K to fab a die, in order to punch them out. They had a compound curve, but I gathered together a batch of 2024-T4 sheets, and started working with a slip roller, and was able mimic the curves such that at the end of several hours, I had 4 pieces of aluminum that matched the contours. There was a big pile of scrap aluminum when I was done, but it was way cheaper than $5K.

I posted these on Facebook but will here too. The top skin is pretty simple. Just cut out an opening where the carb collar goes and make a hardwood form that matches the collar. Since it is stretching and not shrinking it is pretty simple. I'm thinking it is an alloy that really isn't supposed to be welded. Also, stainless would be better IMHO but not sure what alloy they use on the new style boxes.

180 Marty, I have done just what you said, wasn't hard and looked factory when done, same principle as home builders hand forming wing ribs.

Thanks, Marty. I may give this a go if it doesn't work out w/ the airbox doc.

180Marty wrote:I posted these on Facebook but will here too. The top skin is pretty simple. Just cut out an opening where the carb collar goes and make a hardwood form that matches the collar. Since it is stretching and not shrinking it is pretty simple. I'm thinking it is an alloy that really isn't supposed to be welded. Also, stainless would be better IMHO but not sure what alloy they use on the new style boxes.

I may give this a go if it doesn't work out w/ the airbox doc.

It will probably work out so please let us see the results. Thank you

All the later air-box used stainless for the topskin. If I was in your position I'd fab it in stainless, harder to cut but much easier to form.

That's what the Dynamic Propeller skin is made from too: http://www.dynamicpropeller.com/cessna-172--182-airbox-products.html

180Marty wrote:I posted these on Facebook but will here too. The top skin is pretty simple. Just cut out an opening where the carb collar goes and make a hardwood form that matches the collar. Since it is stretching and not shrinking it is pretty simple. I'm thinking it is an alloy that really isn't supposed to be welded. Also, stainless would be better IMHO but not sure what alloy they use on the new style boxes.

THIS.^^^^^^^^^^^

Aluminum is pretty forgiving. Take you more time to make the buck than the part.

What would be neat is if someone would make the buck and then make a bunch of top skins.

What would be neat is if someone would make the buck and then make a bunch of top skins.

The FAA would like that - a lot.

I just reread this whole thread and somehow missed PAMR MX's post that showed how Atlee welds the flange.collar to the stainless top skin. Then I was reading on Acorn Welding's site how their flange, collar must be CNC machined from solid stock that must be stainless since Atlee can weld and not rivet on their repair. Now maybe someone can talk to Atlee about making a total stainless top skin for the early airbox since there are probably a bunch of early on borrowed time. The early collar is slanted compared to the later but not a big deal when CNC is making them. I blew up the Atlee repair so the weld bead can be seen under the flange.

This Airbox Flange/Collar is machined from solid material as opposed to formed and heat treated. This part comes un-drilled to better match your existing airbox. It supercedes 0750126-4.

180Marty wrote:Now maybe someone can talk to Atlee about making a total stainless top skin for the early airbox since there are probably a bunch of early on borrowed time.]

The top skin I bought from Yingling was stainless....and $700

PSA... My airbox needed a little repair and in my research I found that AirPlains has PMA parts, including the entire airbox should yours not be repairable. I haven't bought anything from them so can't comment on service but it might be a good source for parts.

https://shopairplains.com/collections/faa-pma-parts

I bought the Airplaines carb airbox for a spare a couple of years ago and it looks just fine and was shipped promptly. It has oil impregnated bearings where I think the Acorn Welding uses McFarlane composite bearings and costs more. Also, been wondering how soyAnarchisto turned out getting his old style airbox repaired.

The airplanes box only works for 180C and newer planes. No use for the early planes.

I bought Air Plaines box for the 180K or if I want to spend big bucks and convert the 1954 180 to newest style Selkirk cowl and Seaplanes West engine mount. What I wanted to know was how did your repair go on the early style box that I think you sent to Arizona.

180Marty wrote:I bought Air Plaines box for the 180K or if I want to spend big bucks and convert the 1954 180 to newest style Selkirk cowl and Seaplanes West engine mount. What I wanted to know was how did your repair go on the early style box that I think you sent to Arizona.

Anyone have a re-buildable early airbox for sale ('56-'59)?

I have an early 180 airbox which looks in good condition. Not sure which year it fits. I sent you a PM

bart wrote:....do you have a source or p/n for the airbox to carb gasket?? I can't seem to find it from the parts manual. Maybe the same as the carb to engine gasket?? ...

Doing some airbox repair, & while searching for information found this old post.
The early C180 IPC doesn't even show a gasket between the carb & airbox for the 53-55 models,
s/n 30000 thru 32150 with the A & J engine, let alone list a part number.
But for the 56 & up they show the gasket as p/n 0750142-1.
Hope this helps someone in the future.