Hi Everyone,

After training in a 150 and then flying my dad's 182 for years, I recently purchased my first airplane (yay!!) a 1955 Cessna 180. It's a bit of a project, and so I've been sleuthing around the internet and calling the wreckers for parts to get her up and running. It looks like the plane is missing the carb and the entire carb-heat airbox assembly. The engine appears to have been swapped from the original J to an 0470-R. My boss says he has a spare carburetor I can borrow for that engine so I'm good there, however I haven't gotten any leads trying to track down an airbox.

I read through this post which discusses some of the early boxes:
https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/cessna-180-carb-air-box-repair-22058?hilit=airbox&start=20

But I had trouble finding much in the way for a part number for S/N 32150 and earlier 180s. I did find this on McFarlane's site. It says it fits the early models:
https://www.mcfarlaneaviation.com/products/product/0750126-21AWL/

But I'm not so sure this is right? Not to mention they're asking for $5500 for it. Can anyone chime-in on whether PN 0750126-21 will fit a 1955 model? Or what the correct part number I'm looking for is?

Also, if anyone has an airbox sitting in their garage that they'd be willing to sell, please let me know. Thanks for the help.

Three different airboxes used - '53-'55, '56-'59 and '60 and later. The '56-'59 airbox can be retrofitted on the '53-'55 with cowling mods.

By the way, I am still looking for a '56-'59 box. If you happen to come across one I would appreciate any leads!

McFarlane sez that's an Acorn airbox-- I've seen them up close & they are beautiful, but it won't fit your 55 model.
You need a p/n 0750111 airbox, at least if you are gonna run the stock lower cowl with the "shark mouth" air inlet.



I suggest that you make your first purchase an early Cessna 180/182 Illustrated Parts manual.

It really helps to see this stuff in person, vs photos or IPC illustrations.
I see you're on Lopez Island, I know of several 180's based there including some early ones.
FWIW I've got a 53 model, I live in Port Townsend.

C180_guy wrote:....I am still looking for a '56-'59 box. If you happen to come across one I would appreciate any leads!

I assume you're looking for a used one.
The link in the first post is for the 56-59 airbox, p/n 0750126-21

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

but they're $5500!!

Thanks for the quick replies everyone!

hotrod180 wrote:I suggest that you make your first purchase an early Cessna 180/182 Illustrated Parts manual.

I will definitely be picking up one of those parts catalogues! That looks like a must buy for me. I'll ask the 180 guys here on the island what they have kicking around. I know a guy here who has an early model I can at least take a look at (also a '55 I think).

C180_guy wrote:The '56-'59 airbox can be retrofitted on the '53-'55 with cowling mods.

I'm curious about this option as those boxes seem more readily available. Do you know much about the modification process? I have a good friend here who is a 180 pilot and an A&P who could probably help me make the modification if it isn't overly involved.

C180_guy wrote:By the way, I am still looking for a '56-'59 box. If you happen to come across one I would appreciate any leads!

I'll keep you in mind during my search.

hotrod180 wrote:

C180_guy wrote:....I am still looking for a '56-'59 box. If you happen to come across one I would appreciate any leads!

I assume you're looking for a used one.
The link in the first post is for the 56-59 airbox, p/n 0750126-21

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

but they're $5500!!

Yeah, very familiar with the Acorn offering. $5500 + 11% mexafornia sales tax is not going to happen.

I have an early airbox that was just rebuilt by the airbox doctor (Joe Rogg in Surprise, AZ) about 40 hours ago and it's in perfect shape now. I posted pics before rebuild in the thread you mention - it was subsequently rebuilt.

I'm removing to install a northpoint 520 on my '55 180. It is orginally for a J engine, though my J was converted to an R and the airbox was for the '55 cowling. You cannot get a new airbox from anyone, you can only have a sheet metal person rebuild them. Not Atlee, not Acorn, nobody. These things are made of unobtanium. $5 grand sounds about right.

My engine is going on this week. The old one got shipped back to Brainard, MN today for a core. I was gonna wait till my new one is running before selling off the parts, but I can be convinced to sell it now. Contact me directly for pics and to discuss.

C180_guy wrote:Three different airboxes used - '53-'55, '56-'59 and '60 and later. The '56-'59 airbox can be retrofitted on the '53-'55 with cowling mods.

By the way, I am still looking for a '56-'59 box. If you happen to come across one I would appreciate any leads!

I just spent the 5500 dollars for the Acorn Airbox and am hoping the stainless steel isn't prone to cracking like the aluminum. I removed my rebuilt airbox recently. It has cracks that need repair but came off my 1958 C180A. I am willing to sell it if you are interested. I am not sure what it is worth. Other than some very small cracks near the opening it is in good shape.



Josh

IslandFlyer wrote:.....

C180_guy wrote:The '56-'59 airbox can be retrofitted on the '53-'55 with cowling mods.

I'm curious about this option as those boxes seem more readily available. Do you know much about the modification process? I have a good friend here who is a 180 pilot and an A&P who could probably help me make the modification if it isn't overly involved......

Unfortunately it is a fairly involved mod, IMHO anyways.
You'd need a new lower cowl, one with a "scoop" intake instead of the big shark mouth inlet,
and whatever parts connect the airbox to that scoop.
Then you'd have to modify that lower cowl for the dual exhaust on your 55.
Seems much easier to me to find an early airbox, esp since it sounds like soyAnarchisto has one he's willing to sell.

IslandFlyer wrote:...if anyone has an airbox sitting in their garage that they'd be willing to sell, please let me know. Thanks for the help.

I DM'd you.

hotrod180 wrote:Unfortunately it is a fairly involved mod, IMHO anyways.
You'd need a new lower cowl, one with a "scoop" intake instead of the big shark mouth inlet,
and whatever parts connect the airbox to that scoop.
Then you'd have to modify that lower cowl for the dual exhaust on your 55.
Seems much easier to me to find an early airbox, esp since it sounds like soyAnarchisto has one he's willing to sell.

I believe you are thinking of a swap to the later style 180/182/185 lower cowl ('60 and later) with the air filter on the front. I was referring to reworking the center of the '53-'55 lower cowl to make it look like a '56-'59. Obviously the path of least resistance by far is just a replacement, used '53-'55 airbox.

C180_guy wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:Unfortunately it is a fairly involved mod, IMHO anyways.....

I believe you are thinking of a swap to the later style 180/182/185 lower cowl ('60 and later) with the air filter on the front. I was referring to reworking the center of the '53-'55 lower cowl to make it look like a '56-'59. Obviously the path of least resistance by far is just a replacement, used '53-'55 airbox.

I got what you were saying.
But even swapping just the center section of the lower cowl would still be a lot of work--
1) de-riveting the old part / riveting the new part in.
2) pretty sure there's a rubber boot between the 56-59 "scoop" and the airbox, and connectors for that to mess with.
3) have to do something different to get two air scats to the dual mufflers for carb heat / cabin heat.
So yes, just finding a 53-55 airbox is definitely easier.

I haven't compared them side to side, but I wonder if the 56-59 airbox is the same as a 53-55 airbox
but with the "wings" for the scat connectors removed?

I have a 50's vintage 180 air box in my hangar which looks to be in good condition. I'm not sure of the part number or exact year. PM me if interested.

Ron

Sounds like I don't really want to take on modification then. But I'm starting to think I won't even need to. Based on what hotrod180 and the rest of you are saying, I think at some point my cowling was already updated to the '56-'59 cowling with the "scoop" rather than the "shark mouth" style air intake. Only has the single exhaust pipe exiting the cowl too since the engine and exhaust was changed out at some point. Here's a picture of mine that seems to match with other '56 180s I've seen online:

Yep, you have 56 to 59. I'm curious what engine mount you have? That might be updated too with the cheaper Lord Mounts

IslandFlyer wrote:.... at some point my cowling was already updated to the '56-'59 cowling with the "scoop" rather than the "shark mouth" style air intake. Only has the single exhaust pipe ....

So the p/n 0750126-21 airbox should be the correct one.
Not sure, but in the IPC it looks like the rubber seal on the scoop (item #47)



just butts up against the air filter on the airbox.



So hopefully no extra parts needed there.

hotrod180 wrote:So hopefully no extra parts needed there.

Fingers crossed. I managed to get a hold of the correct box from a forum member (Thank you!), so I'll find out if I need anything else whenever it gets here. I didn't take any pictures when I was at the airport last, but there appears to be some kind of plate on the inside of the cowling's air scoop where it screws together with the air box flanges (item #32 on that air box diagram), so it shouldn't be too much hassle to make them play nice with each other I hope.