Installing new nose gear/engine mount on our -6A
VGB,
We ordered the new mount as soon as they were available. It made sense for us.
Our -6A’s backstory. Read if you’re bored.
We bought an -6A from my IAs father, Jim, who is also an IA. Jim was not the builder but bought it from the builder. An angle valve IO-360 was the first engine. My opinion is that engine is too big and heavy for the -6A. Around 250 TTAF, the engine oil pump failed when Jim was on the departure leg. He made an abbreviated pattern before the engine seized on short final. Airframe and Jim were undamaged.
. Jim removed the wings, trailered the -6A across town to his hangar, ordered a new engine mount and parallel valve IO-360. That was 2005. It all sat in his hangar until he gave me first shot at buying the project in 2018. I got wind Van’s was working on the new mount & gear shortly after i committed to buy the -6A project. So...
Our 6 was going to get it’s pant stripped, interior gutted and everything thing new FF. So, we were already going have 4/5s of the PITA required do this in the plan.
1) Vans technical assistance was extremely helpful and useful making this decision.
2) Over $3,000 with shipping. It’s a really big box. But I have a box for shipping if someone ever wants our old 0 time mount. Vintage 2005.
3) The new mount is un-drilled. Hey, 6s were mostly custom built. Any mount with bolt holes may not line up with a -6A firewall bolt holes. The mounting pads were just generous enough to align and get new holes match drilled. Two different size drill guide bushings are included so one doesn’t make a mess of the original bolt holes. A few firewall rivets are removed and mounting plates are temporarily installed to get new mount aligned. The mount from Vans is actually a very complete kit.
4) The original cowl may need work to get the alignment with the spinner correct. Even 1/4” different alignment will be very noticeable at the spinner.
5) I had a clean firewall and two experienced A&Ps help me align and then back-drill mount on a hot JUNE day.
6) All of the instructions are on the Vans website.
This was for a -6A, probably the aircraft requiring the most work.
We have the new engine mount installed. But haven’t checked the fit of the cowling. We don’t know how much fiberglass work needs to be done. As far as alignment on an -7/9A with regard to cowling fit? IDK That would make a huge difference in the PITA factor.
Cheers,