Gear Smiling or Frowning

[j3pup]

I recently purchased a 1952 170B and the gear seems to be slightly smiling with only 10 gal of gas and nobody inside. Is this normal, or should they be frowning?

Thanks,

Randy

[blueldr]

If your '52 C-170B is equipped with the original gear legs, they will normally be splayed slightly outward at the bottom. If it has been equipped with
the later type "Lady Legs" gear, they should be very slightly bowed the other way or straight. The original type gear can be recognized by the
constant taper from top to bottom and both legs are interchangeable. They both have the same part number. The so called "Lady Legs" have
a narrowed "ankle" just above the bottom bend above the axle. They are each a different part number and are a right and left.

[j3pup]

Thanks I think I am safe then, because they are the original gear legs, and they bow just slightly outward at the bottom. (Frowning)

[GAHorn]

Randy, just to reiterate something that lots of folks didn't realize... The "52 C-170B.... MAY NOT be! It may be a '53.
In other words, be careful when referring to these planes as specific year-models because it ain't necessarily so.
Example: My 170-B, serial number 25713 is listed at the FAA registration office as a 1971 (because it was re-imported that year and received it's FIRST U.S. Airworthiness Certificate at that time) even tho' it rolled off the assembly-line in Wichita, KS in November 1952, and it's registration certificate claims it's a 1952 -model. The point is: It's actually an 1953 MODEL which was mfr'd in 1952 but didn't receive an AW certificate until 1971..... and the parts I must order for replacements must be for a '53 per it's serial number.

In other words, it's your SERIAL NUMBER that is important...not the year model printed on any certificate.

BTW, my insurance-carrier wanted to argue the hull value of my airplane based upon it's year of mfr....not it's year-model. See how silly this can get? So, use your SERIAL NUMBER to determine which "year model" you actually have in your possession.

[j3pup]

FAA's website says my manufacturing date is 1952. The airworthiness date is 1996 as that is when it was re-issued after being imported back from Canada. Is there a document out there that lists the SN and years? I do know I don't have the rear vents.

[cessna170bdriver]

...In other words, it's your SERIAL NUMBER that is important...not the year model printed on any certificate. ..:

Oh so true! Mine (sn 26541) is in a similar situation to George's, having been manufactured in October of '54, but is definitely a '55 model (the 37th one, IIRC). The previous owner swore up and down the airplane was a '54 model since the original W&B is dated October 26, 1954. I'm fairly sure he never ordered any parts for the tailwheel steering, rear window installation, or fixed instrument/radio panel, just three of the numerous differences from '54 to '55.

I think maybe that somewhere in a past thread someone enumerated serial number vs. year model, but not sure. You can generally pick it out from the illustrated parts catalog, but there are many parts that were changed mid-model year. For the '52-'53 change-over serial number, open the B-model IPC and look for sn at the change in cowling style ( large doors w/plenum vs. pressure-type with smaller doors) and/or electrical switch style (piano key vs pull-type).

Bottom line is if you're looking for parts, research and buy them by serial #.

Miles

[GAHorn]

... Is there a document out there that lists the SN and years? I do know I don't have the rear vents.

SUch a document might make interesting reading...but it would not solve your parts ordering problem. (You don't want to determine your parts based upon an outside document that tells you the '52 you ASSUME you have is within a particular serial-range. YOu want to know YOUR SPECIFIC serial number to order parts by.)

Look on your Airworthiness certificate. It should list your serial number. Look at your pilot's door-jamb. It should have a data tag with your serial number. Look at the left rear of your fuselage near the horiz. stab. There should be a placard there which shows your serial number. Look at your registration certificate. It should show your serial number. Look at your aircraft mx logs. It should identify your aircraft by serial number. (Why? Because N-numbers can CHANGE. Serial numbers do not.) etc etc etc.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Several of us have sources for serial number to year models. The association has it listed in one of it's documents but I don't remember which one.

BTW as George has noted the FAA using a single lookup is not a good source for this information. But if you used the FAA site and looked up a few serial numbers before yours and a few after yours you could probably tell what year yours is likely to be.

Give us the serial number and I'll be you'll have answer in no time from someone here. I'm away from my documentation or I'd find it for you.

[j3pup]

SN# 20949 I did order my tailwheel parts from this number. Thanks for all the info....

[cmsusllc]

52 170B sr#s 20267 thru 20999. Search this site for serial numbers, you will find a fairly recent post ---considering a 170 / need your opinion. Copy and save. Good information.
Scott --- 53B