I've drug the late style cables around through a fair amount of "stuff" in 185 and my old 180. No problem, and they steer a LOT better than the old style.

On the V Brace, I'm betting all float kit equipped 185s came with a V Brace, and most 185 s were ordered with the float kit.

In any case, rattle around on some rough stuff just a little without one and you'll recognize their value.

MTV

Going along with my last post above and photos... I am now noticing a lot of Skywagons with this set up on the cables hanging below the stinger. As an example of concern, look at the yellow bush in this photo. The cables would drag through the brush if turning around quickly.

Curious if anyone has ever heard of anyone tearing/breaking cables like this?

AKT

Yes, later models are all this way. Makes the steering much better.

This may have been covered in the last 8 pages. But, what was your reasons for going with a 1966 -H model? It seems with your budget you had your choice of any model of 180.

Just curious,

MM

mountainmatt wrote:This may have been covered in the last 8 pages. But, what was your reasons for going with a 1966 -H model? It seems with your budget you had your choice of any model of 180.

Just curious,

MM

I wish that was the case... although it may seem that way from what I am doing. No, budget is def a consideration and Im watching pennies. Been saving up for a long time for this. I financed the Skywagon, and have the lion's share of the funds from the sale of the 170 for this project. Also, I have a ton of the upgrades/goodies that came from the C170, and lots that were never installed that transfer right over. Big tires, V brace, Sportsman, all the Garmin Avionics etc...

RE: why a 1966...

Keep in mind that I am just a knucklehead and no expert. But here are my thoughts-

First why the Skywagon: My goal was to build a light, capable, modern backcountry airplane. I always wanted a Supercub, but in my opinion it's not as practical as a Skywagon. Plus, Im not that good of a BC pilot yet, and If I cant get down in the wagon, I probably shouldn't be trying to land there yet... I wanted a (relatively) fast, light IMC airplane that I could haul a shitload, fly coast to coast comfortably, and land in the bush.

Why a 180 and not a 185? Built right, it will do everything the 185 can do, and sometimes better. Most of the old timers and mentors will say that its not the fancy mods or the machines anyways, but the pilot.

As far as the year, in my research/opinion, (and as been said here before, many believe that the 66 is the best model around.) It has the elements of the light earlier models, but the big and important changes of the later models, IE modern panel, long range tanks, better TW steering, landing light in the wing, pilot adj seat, 3rd window, 6 passenger, baggage door etc.

I didnt want an airplane that had already been adulterated, I wanted to find the cleanest, stock example of an "H" I could and make it mine. With perseverance and patience, I was lucky enough to find just that.

By the time its finished, we should have a +/- 150kt airplane with a 6hr range with a stall speed in the high 30's (mph) that weights in the low 1700's with a GW of 3190. Thats oversized tires, 474lb in fuel, two 200 lb guys, and almost 600lbs of cargo/passengers. I think thats pretty cool.

Now who know if this will be a reality or not. The internet is full of exaggeration and BS. I really dont care one way or another, but regardless, it is already a hell of a lot of fun!

Pulled the interior out today...

AND SO IT BEGINS!

I love projects, I am going to really enjoy watching this one more than most.

As well with all that fiberglass as old as this plane is I am surprised you didn't find any mice/droppings, they do love that stuff.

Amazing how much the insulation and interior weighs. You are a inspiration to many, keep up the good work.
Greg

Well I finally got to talk to Avion about a panel design for the Skywagon. The intent for the panel will be to follow the same lines as the entire project. Simple, light, and elegant. I'm excited to see what Trevor comes up with RE: design.

Stay tuned...

It's nice to see the progress,and pics

The west coast/east coast 180 builds are cool,first aktahoe ,
now you. Keep on posting,
Chuck


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Wow Bigrenna you are really going for gold here. Watching this thread closely!

Bigrenna: Would you mind giving a little more detail on the closed cell foam. I believe you said it was a pre-cut kit from selkirk? I know you did this on your 170 and I have '56 172 that I want to do the same. I guess I have a couple question related to it:

1)Does the kit include the areas below the floorboars?
2)Does it include the upper part of the boot cowl(bottom of the dash) and all the areas behind the panel?
3)What did you do for a firewall blanket or insulation on the backside of the firewall? Any pics of this?

Thank's for any input. Everyone is enjoying this thread. I find check for updates is becoming as habitual as my coffee everyday!

Jeredp wrote:Bigrenna: Would you mind giving a little more detail on the closed cell foam. I believe you said it was a pre-cut kit from selkirk? I know you did this on your 170 and I have '56 172 that I want to do the same. I guess I have a couple question related to it:

1)Does the kit include the areas below the floorboars?
2)Does it include the upper part of the boot cowl(bottom of the dash) and all the areas behind the panel?
3)What did you do for a firewall blanket or insulation on the backside of the firewall? Any pics of this?

Thank's for any input. Everyone is enjoying this thread. I find check for updates is becoming as habitual as my coffee everyday!

Selkirk has a couple of "kits." That said, the fittment was a bit shoddy. I had to have them re-send me a bunch of panels cuz they were so far off it was not usable. I have to say that Joni at Selkirk was so nice and cool about it, sending me what I needed to fix the problem, that there was no issue. Great customer service.

No foam below the floor.

I never got to the firewall on the C170. Got the 180 before I could tackle it. Plan for the 180 is to do the FW with the 1/4".

FYI... I flew today for an hour in the 180 w/ NO insulation and no headliner. Was interested in the noise/cold. Although it wasnt very cold here today (in Boston) the noise was pleasantly surprising, IE not bad at all.

I was wearing Zulus, and it was not much louder at all empty as w/ the total interior. My conclusion... No need for 1/2" closed cell foam. 1/4 will do just fine. And way better than what I had in there when I bought it.

bigrenna wrote:

Jeredp wrote:Bigrenna: Would you mind giving a little more detail on the closed cell foam. I believe you said it was a pre-cut kit from selkirk? I know you did this on your 170 and I have '56 172 that I want to do the same. I guess I have a couple question related to it:

1)Does the kit include the areas below the floorboars?
2)Does it include the upper part of the boot cowl(bottom of the dash) and all the areas behind the panel?
3)What did you do for a firewall blanket or insulation on the backside of the firewall? Any pics of this?

Thank's for any input. Everyone is enjoying this thread. I find check for updates is becoming as habitual as my coffee everyday!

Selkirk has a couple of "kits." That said, the fittment was a bit shoddy. I had to have them re-send me a bunch of panels cuz they were so far off it was not usable. I have to say that Joni at Selkirk was so nice and cool about it, sending me what I needed to fix the problem, that there was no issue. Great customer service.

No foam below the floor.

I never got to the firewall on the C170. Got the 180 before I could tackle it. Plan for the 180 is to do the FW with the 1/4".

FYI... I flew today for an hour in the 180 w/ NO insulation and no headliner. Was interested in the noise/cold. Although it wasnt very cold here today (in Boston) the noise was pleasantly surprising, IE not bad at all.

I was wearing Zulus, and it was not much louder at all empty as w/ the total interior. My conclusion... No need for 1/2" closed cell foam. 1/4 will do just fine. And way better than what I had in there when I bought it.

Thanks for the info. In the 172 I removed the glass insulation behind the panel when I did some avionics work and could tell a differance in the noise, but not bad. That's wearing non=ANR headsets. My concern with firewall was the heat duct running across there and how the heat would affect the insulation. Given what you said about the fittment of the pre-cut pieces, I may just order the material and cut them myself.

Jeredp wrote:[ My concern with firewall was the heat duct running across there and how the heat would affect the insulation. Given what you said about the fittment of the pre-cut pieces, I may just order the material and cut them myself.

Perhaps... Depends on what your time is worth. The Selkirk kit was reasonable, and it the panels that did work saved me a bunch of time. I plan on ordering again from them even with having to deal with the setbacks.

Do you know what supplier Selkirk used? IE, can you get the same stuff? A burn cert is important, which is why I liked Selkirks.

In my experience, Spruce is good for name brand stuff. Bad for general stuff like insulation etc... They tend to have cheap manufacturers, although I have no experience with this, just experience from other purchases.

bigrenna wrote:

Jeredp wrote:[ My concern with firewall was the heat duct running across there and how the heat would affect the insulation. Given what you said about the fittment of the pre-cut pieces, I may just order the material and cut them myself.

Perhaps... Depends on what your time is worth. The Selkirk kit was reasonable, and it the panels that did work saved me a bunch of time. I plan on ordering again from them even with having to deal with the setbacks.

Do you know what supplier Selkirk used? IE, can you get the same stuff? A burn cert is important, which is why I liked Selkirks.

In my experience, Spruce is good for name brand stuff. Bad for general stuff like insulation etc... They tend to have cheap manufacturers, although I have no experience with this, just experience from other purchases.

My plan was to talk with selkirk about buying the material in bulk from them. I've heard good things about them and would like to support a local northwest business. I've had the same experiance with Spruce. I wonder if selkirk would sell a guy the kit and an extra couple feet of bulk material to remake the ones that don't fit???

That material is DOT approved for a variety of commercial transportation applications I believe. You might be able to source it from NAPA autoparts. I imagine it will have some sort of paper trail. I remember seeing scads of it when a company I worked for did some wiring updates on the light rail cars in Portland.

EB

Started stripping the black goo. I had fought with this stuff on the C170, and all I can say is it's insidious. No fun at all. I have no idea what Cessna called it, but the thick black mix of petroleum based goo aint no pick-nick. The best way to deal with this stuff is to paint on a layer of aircraft stripper (being very careful it doesn't run between the seams) letting it soften up the material, then scrape off the heavy stuff with a plastic putty knife. Once that is done, 3M makes an amazing elixir called "General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner." This stuff is perfect for dissolving the goo and cleaning it right up.

BigR - really enjoying this thread, thanks for the great documentation. Really inspiring to follow the progression of dream sheet builds like yours and Kevins. I'm taking notes and filing ideas away for projects on my 180.

I like these minimalist interiors - what's the approval basis for them? I heard of a guy who had stripped his interior and was later told his plane was unairworthy by the big brother types. Field approval to cover the removal of the factory interior and installation of just the insulation?

BigR,

I have that black stuff all over the inside of my 1953 180. I am just curious, have you found any corrosion underneath it? How about other areas where insulation or headliner was removed?

I can't see what might be lurking behind my panels or beneath the covering, but it would be nice to know I don't need to worry about what might be beneath that black goo.

DEGJR

Im pretty lucky in that there is no corrosion on my Skywagon. In the C170, there was just a wee bit of surface stuff going on underneath glue. Never anything under the black stuff as that is some kind of petroleum based goo. The issue is when the factory applied the glue for the insulation right to the bare alum. This was the case on a bunch of panels in the C170.