Arghhh! Just got a call from my IA this morning. One cylinder had a low compression when he checked it for the annual, so that was worked on last week. He installed the cylinder on Saturday. When he went to reinstall the exhaust, he concluded that the pipes were all corroded enough that he recommends a new exhaust system. It has to be semi-custom, because of the Avcon conversion. So he's shipping off the old system to Knisley for copying, since it's really a pretty functional design.

Just venting--no advice needed. Arghhh!

Cary

Ah... The joys of aircraft ownership

For anyone thinking about purchasing their first airplane: Airplane ownership is great, but don't convince yourself that you can afford something that you cannot. Expensive stuff will break at some point (usually at the least opportune time).

Might give Delair in Porterville Ca a call as their conversion is neat identical to the Avcon. Harry put it together cause no one could ever get Avcon to answer the phone. That story has been repeated numerous times.

Just ask Chris if he knows that they are a good match.
Wannabe

KISS. Why are Army aircraft so much simpler than Air Force aircraft? Answer: larger payroll. The Army has to have enough left over to pay the troops.

Russian Air Force, on the other hand. Belenko asked his instructor what could be done about the F-15. "Comrade Instructor, this airplane can shoot five of us down before we can get it." "Ah! Comrade Belenko," he answered, "that is why we send six."

wannabe wrote:Might give Delair in Porterville Ca a call as their conversion is neat identical to the Avcon. Harry put it together cause no one could ever get Avcon to answer the phone. That story has been repeated numerous times.

Just ask Chris if he knows that they are a good match.
Wannabe

Thanks, but my IA has been taking care of my airplane for 12+ years now, he used Knisley for the creation of my heater shroud, and tells me that he's always been satisfied with what KWI makes. I just wish it wasn't necessary!

Cary

Thumbs up to DelAir for providing my replacement exhaust for the AvCon conversion on my T-41B (aka R172E) in the previous millenium.

Now that I think about it, I might still have the old AvCon exhaust, but for sure it needs the heater shroud around the muffler portion; I will check after work. Is your shroud still servicable?

Pat

Cary,

I feel your pain......first annual after buying this cub, I got the same message. $900 later, it's all new, and good for many years.

It's called aviation.

MTV

Knisley does do some really good work. I've been sending stuff there for years.

Ben

it's always something!

Break out another couple AMU! AMU = Aviation Monetary Units = $1000 Bucks

Cary,

I checked the hangar last night and found the old AvCon exhaust for [one of] their O-360-A1A conversions, the muffler portion on same having an oval cross-section (IIRC my DelAir replacement unit has a cylindrical cross-section muffler). All risers have a small hole to accommodate an EGT probe, and it needs a new heater shroud.

If that sounds like it could work for you, and if you have not already committed to a new one, your welcome to it for the cost of shipping.

Pat

A buddy of mine used to work at Knisley as a welder, and the stories he told did not inspire confidence. He wasn't a pilot, but after working there for several years he said he'd never step foot in a small plane.

I've used them because they're right down the road, and I've had real mixed success. I just bring it up so people who get something from them that's not quite right have the insight and confidence to call BS and send it back. I'm sure that they can produce very good work, but they've also sent some garbage out the door with a huge bill attached. Don't believe that the prices they charge are reflective of the work they do...it's all about having the license to weld aviation exhaust. They charge that much because they can...the welding is just welding.

iPat wrote:Cary,

I checked the hangar last night and found the old AvCon exhaust for [one of] their O-360-A1A conversions, the muffler portion on same having an oval cross-section (IIRC my DelAir replacement unit has a cylindrical cross-section muffler). All risers have a small hole to accommodate an EGT probe, and it needs a new heater shroud.

If that sounds like it could work for you, and if you have not already committed to a new one, your welcome to it for the cost of shipping.

Pat

I appreciate the offer, but the old one has been shipped to Knisley to make sure of the fit for a new one. I'm pretty well committed to going new at this point. Oh well, what's another thou here or there? I already own the singularly most expensive 172 in God's creation, I think!

Cary