REPAINT/REBUILD ADVICE

[squeeze01!]

I'm a B-1B pilot stationed at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD. Support for any type of GA activity in this region is extremely limited. I'm currently looking at getting my '53 170B painted and the engine rebuilt. I'm looking for a shop/shops any club members have had good luck with in getting their 170s painted and O-300/C-145s rebuilt. I'd prefer someone in the SD, WY, MT, NB, IA region, but will obviously travel as required to get it done. Any help/direction will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much!,
squeeze

[BloomerJohn]

Bulduc Aviation in the Mpls Area is 3rd generation shop that is known for small Contenental rebuilds. Very reasonable pricing also.

[standingpipe]

Check on Custom Aircraft Refinishing in Casselton ND. They do excellent paint work and have a great mechanic very familiar with the 170B. They are currently working on a 170 in the shop. Check it out when you are there. They did great work for my customers.

(701)347-5262 Roy

The 170B is my favorite tail wheel

Good Luck
Ryan Piper

[HA]

I used to live out that way, the head mech for Westjet in RAP is a fella named Dwight. Talk to him about advice, he is usually never shy about giving it ) but he'll give you some good leads and he knows everybody

my favorite paint shop is Vanco Aviation in Hazen ND, north of Bismarck, we have had many aircraft done by Joe there and he is very good - 701-748-5592

I can second the tip on Bolduc in the Minneapolis area, they are an excellent engine shop. I also used to use Custom Airmotive in Tulsa, but only for IO-320 Lycs so I'm not sure about how they are with O-300's

happy info gathering

Hans

[AR Dave]

Where is the best place to get a stainless steel screw kit?
And also the rubber U channel molding (rubber seal) that is between the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage? How many feet of rubber seal is needed, top and bottom?

[doug8082a]

Stainless Steel screws kits:

D&D Aircraft Supply
PO Box 1200
4 Stickney Terrace
Hampton, NH 03843-1200

800-468-8000

http://www.ddaircraft.com/

[AR Dave]

Thanks on the screws Doug?
Reckon I need the S/S Kit?
C102 CESSNA 170 STAINLESS 460 PCS. 1 $ 33.9500 $ 33.95
I like the shiny stainless screw heads, instead of the painted ones that wouldn't stay painted very long on mine.
Dave

[doug8082a]

Aren't you headed for the paint shop? A lot of paint shops (including the one that did mine) include replacement of all screws w/stainless as part of the job or as an option for a small price. Does your paint shop offer this?

[jrenwick]

When I bought my 170, it had a recent paint job and new stainless screws, with nylon washers under all the screw heads. I thought that was a nice touch -- it protects the paint.

Best Regards,

John

[AR Dave]

Well Joe, the plane is sittin in Ozark at Grays Paint Shop! Maybe we should send your Dad down to oversee it. Got it there by 07:00 yesterday. They had the windows covered and were taking the cowling down to his Dad's repair shop before I left at 08:00. The dawn flight over there was wonderful, couldn't help but think of you and Frank while I followed the Arkansas river. About 1/2 way, I got to thinking this plane sure fly's nice, so I did some steep banks and played a bit. Made me think it is all worth it. Of course the Ozark mountain music CD, is the icing. Do all 170 owners think their plane is probably the best flying 170, like I do? The plane might be flying a little different, sure seemed it. I took off the Strobe on the belly, Beacon on the back, 4 ski attachment mounts, something on top that I don't want an argument over, and even the speaker bolts and drop out the old speaker. The backseat was out, so it was lighter. Guess I need to make log book entry's for all these things? The Stobe, Beacon, & ski mounts were 337 or STC previously. The speaker and other thing were original. Then figure the weight and balance? Hangers and all for the Bartone exhaust are on. Will install the ceramic coated pipes when picking up the plane. Those closed exhaust holes should worth 5 mph? Told him to stuff bubble gum or something in the tinnerman holes on the doors and reinstall the SkyCatch pieces. Have a T.A.P. in front of me now, looking for the post part. On the steering cables: Told em to patch the mettle, I'll either drop some eye bolts down from the tail wheel to lower the cables or I'll hook up to the rudder horn, like the pre 55's to get it home. The attachment points are there, I guess for that option. I've been playing with figure S 's and U turns with just the tailwheel steering (No brakes) and I'm interested in comparing this at Petit Jean. If I hook up the old way, guess I'll get my comparison? The new leafspring do seem to make the plane a little taller, wish I'd measured the heigth before. The steering cables moved away from the mettle 1/8" anyway, which might be an inch at the tail. Gray started stretching the stripes I drew. So I hope it won't be a suprise to all of us!

[AR Dave]

Guess that was too long, since both of you were able to reply while I was typing that post. No, basically it's up to me on the screws. If I want them, order them. Same with the rubber gaskets around the stabilizer. I am open for suggestions, on what looks nice! I'd like to at least replace the cowling & inspection plates screws. Should they or shouldn't they be painted?

[HA]

go with stainless screws and don't paint them. have to come out every annual anyway, just get chipped up and paint gets ripped up too if you have the screws painted in. I think the stainless ones look better than chipped up ones, especially old rusty ones like mine had once upon a time.

[doug8082a]

Go stainless and don't paint them. Also, as jrenwick mentioned, get nylon washers for the screws. My paint shop did that and it's nice. They are the same size as the screw head and almost clear colored so you don't even notice them unless you really look for them.

[N1478D]

WOW Dave! Got her in the paint shop, that's terrific! Was wondering where you ended up deciding to take her. Going to have her out for Petit Jean too! Mom and Dad are spending their time at the Ozark hospital, my Grandma who is in her 90's is not doing too well. She probably won't be able to return to her home, it will most likely be a rest home at this point. Flying the Arkansas River and then the valley over to Ozark from your area is a very fun flight, lot's to look at. Just wait till you fly her with a new paint job - she will really handle nice then, and you will find yourself wiping EVERY bug, etc off of her after each flight now. Clean rags and a spray bottle with water will be part of your survival gear. Wait till someone with one of those large gallon size belt buckles and a couple fake diamond rings want to lean on her and you can hear metal against metal. Let me know how you handle that. Enjoy that airplane and have fun.

[GAHorn]

The nylon washers should be installed whenever SS screws are used to prevent corrosion from the dissimilar metals as well as the paint protection purpose. Spruce has them.
The rubber edge-seal is available from http://brownaircraft.com their part number BA-200 -B is only 1/4" wide but if you can settle for 3/8" wide you can get their T-11 (or you can get the 3/8" wide stuff from Spruce while you're ordering from them and maybe save some shipping.)