N8427D Barn find Tri-pacer 22-160

R

Randy S Bachmann

Non-Member
Barnesville, MN
Just joined SWP.org a few days ago and have to say that I'm humbled by the knowledge and experience of the members here. A little background on me. Retired Air Force guy with Aircraft Maintenace history. From what I'm seeing / reading it would be easier for me to head out and work on an F-16 than a 1958 tri-pacer! A year and half ago I heard a rumor about an airplane that was in need of a new home. The owner had passed away, and the family was selling the property. It was in a hanger a mile off any road (no kidding) in west central MN. Long story short, I now the proud owner of N8427D Ser# 22-5682. What I know about this airplane I could put in my left ear and have room for more. Not a bad deal so far, but in the process of cleaning out the house and building most the history (logbooks) managed to get lost. They did have pilot logbook with last entry on 5 July 2002. I have found some history, engine changed, accident report, wing repair, and wing mod, but that's about it. In the eighteen plus years 427D sat in limbo it became home for the local squirrel population. They lived in the wings, building a real nice nest at the outboard end of the left wing using the lacing, rib cloth bracing and anything else they could find. Not to mention about ten gallons of pinecone husks. most of the lacings were gone. Thankfully it was easily decided that she wasn't flying out of there.

This is going to be a journey of 10,000 miles for sure. I have managed to get the Univair parts catalog, Aircraft Spruce parts book, Tips & techniques with all the Piper drawings on thumb drives that short wing piper club has. After a lot of research and reading, the Stewart system is what I want to use. Putting the cart in front of the horse I went to a recovering class with Stewarts and am convinced that is the way to go. After over a year of looking for a place to work on this project without success I started on the left wing in my 16'x20' shop in the backyard. It's big enough for one wing and me but it's forward progress.

Of course, there's a lot more to this story, but I don't want to put anyone to sleep, but rather I would hope to be able to ask a couple million really dumb questions of Ya'll and not have you come to my house and take away my computer!

Thanks for a really great place for someone to tap into a real treasure trove of information.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Randy
 
Welcome Randy and congratulations on the new addition. You’ve come to the right place for advice and answers to your questions.
I purchased my ‘57 PA-22-150 in 1977 at age 22. Guess I’m going to keep it!
Brian
 
Welcome aboard Randy. The only dumb question is the one not asked. Can't wait to follow the progress.
 
Exciting to hear another old pacer is getting a shot at life again. Can't wait to hear the progress. You've certainly come to the right place.
 
Welcome Randy, congrats on your barn find. I'm sure most of us are jealous of your opportunity, squirrel turds and all.
It's also very refreshing that you have done a lot of your homework, buying the available documentation from SWPC and planning your project.
I would guess that's a discipline honed from your Air Force experience - show up as ready as possible and ready to learn more.
If you are able, start an online photo diary of the project where you can keep notes and pics, hopefully starting with the "Look what I found!" chapter, and you can post links here to share.
You will find several others here have done similar and there are a few very long, very educational threads to review.
Also bookmark this site, very informative and helpful: https://sites.google.com/site/shortwinginfo/home

Best,
GG
 
Welcome, lots of people here willing to provide guidance. Good luck on the project.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Randy,
You've chosen a great airplane to start a project like this. Know that when you fly it for the first time, it will treat you very well. The people and their collective knowledge on this site cannot be found elsewhere. You're in a good place. Stay in touch. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
-Subsonic
 
Don't forget the FAA records data you can order!
Many good pieces of info - if you want it faster (usually 48 hours) buy the title search.
Also, Clyde Smith can usually produce additional factory info for you.
 
Randy S Bachmann said:
Just joined SWP.org a few days ago and have to say that I'm humbled by the knowledge and experience of the members here. A little background on me. Retired Air Force guy with Aircraft Maintenace history. From what I'm seeing / reading it would be easier for me to head out and work on an F-16 than a 1958 tri-pacer! A year and half ago I heard a rumor about an airplane that was in need of a new home. The owner had passed away, and the family was selling the property. It was in a hanger a mile off any road (no kidding) in west central MN. Long story short, I now the proud owner of N8427D Ser# 22-5682. What I know about this airplane I could put in my left ear and have room for more. Not a bad deal so far, but in the process of cleaning out the house and building most the history (logbooks) managed to get lost. They did have pilot logbook with last entry on 5 July 2002. I have found some history, engine changed, accident report, wing repair, and wing mod, but that's about it. In the eighteen plus years 427D sat in limbo it became home for the local squirrel population. They lived in the wings, building a real nice nest at the outboard end of the left wing using the lacing, rib cloth bracing and anything else they could find. Not to mention about ten gallons of pinecone husks. most of the lacings were gone. Thankfully it was easily decided that she wasn't flying out of there. This is going to be a journey of 10,000 miles for sure. I have managed to get the Univair parts catalog, Aircraft Spruce parts book, Tips & techniques with all the Piper drawings on thumb drives that short wing piper club has. After a lot of research and reading, the Stewart system is what I want to use. Putting the cart in front of the horse I went to a recovering class with Stewarts and am convinced that is the way to go. After over a year of looking for a place to work on this project without success I started on the left wing in my 16'x20' shop in the backyard. It's big enough for one wing and me but it's forward progress.Of course, there's a lot more to this story, but I don't want to put anyone to sleep, but rather I would hope to be able to ask a couple million really dumb questions of Ya'll and not have you come to my house and take away my computer!Thanks for a really great place for someone to tap into a real treasure trove of information.Merry Christmas to everyone! Randy
Click to expand...
IT'S A TRAP, LUKE IT'S A TRAP!Oh my... Glad you found your way to the SS process but you've got a ways to go yet I think.Someone mentioned Pacer upthread, is she still a Tripacer or converted?18 years... Get that engine out for an OH or IRAN now, it's been taking a a fat year post coved to get engines done, waiting for jugs mostly, what you need is a teardown inspection to see if it's even worth rebuilding. Now is the time to find a good tube and rag wrench to poke around her some, not later, NOW. Will save you heartbreak and cash.So, take some time and ask yourself why you are doing this, write it down, then think about it some more. Why? Cause you can buy a good flying bird for about 2/3 of what you are about to spend, and that's not counting the hand full of years you will spend rebuilding and not flying your dream girl. Hard facts Brother Randy but truth. I got my first bird, 61 pa-22 and flew it one time and that night it blew better then 145kts, ripped a wing strut out of the wing and blew her on her back, spent a few years rebuilding her and I had a shop and a crew and she wasn't that bad. Don't want to be Mr. Buzzkill but though it needed to be said. Sold my Tripacer about a year ago and I'm just grumpy and envious of your adventure ;)Your in good hands here at steve's SWP but it's mostly internet advise, often worth what it cost. You need to get that experienced tube and fabric IA on board ASAP before you get too deep. Make sure he is someone you trust and not some googan who is going to make you gold plate every part along the way, you get carried away and you'll have have close to a hundred grand in her and still not flyable, seen it happen again and again. Remember, a Tripacer should be cheap affordable fun so make sure your IA knows this too. Aside from a few danger zones, mainly the fabric over the windshield, the Tripacer doesn't have any real safty issues besides the guy at the controls, it's all about the noise maker out front, today that means darn near 30k and hardly any way around it. Think of it as a pay me now or pay me later scenario. You may think you can get away with the old exhaust or boat anchor starter, and you can, until you burn a hole in something spendy or you smoke your battery and alternator trying to start her some morning. Spend the real coin up front, save the interior and radios and other bling for down the road...I guess I could go on and on but my coffee cup is empty and it's time to get off my ass and get something done this morning.RocketNot sure why the formatting is all out of whack?... Oh wait, OH NO, I trapped in the quote box, ITS A TRAP...
 
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gliderman said:
Rocket
are we short of eggnog????........
Click to expand...

hard telling not knowing ;)

Suffering from FDS more then likly: flight-time deficiency syndrome.

Could be im just a few fries short of a happy meal as the kids say...

Tryjng to to keep it upbeat after writing a downer post.


Rocket

ok, figured pit formatting issue lack of typing return. Must turn Java on. Most of the time I keep it turned off so my older iDevices don't get hung up on all the crap code being written these day.
 
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Old3 pacer
Thanks for the FAA tip. I did get the History of Manufacture from Clyde. Good to have info. Weight & Balance, engine, wings, prop serial numbers as well as dates. Funny thing about 427D is it's a 1958 model, built in 1957 with 1957 colors. Daytona white and Cadillac red. I'm thinking that Cadillac red was not available in 1958.
 
Rocket,

LOL! Good advice, thanks! I have the best AP/IA in the area on the payroll! He had the fuselage with the engine and prop for about two months. He didn't dig in all the way but is happy with what he sees so far. The 160 HP engine was changed out and has a 150 on it now. If it turns into a big deal, I will spend the $$$ on a 160 taking her back to original power. I have a Lycoming guy 2 hours up the road that has all the parts I need. but again, good advice!

Randy
 
All,
In the little paperwork that I do have is a letter dated Sept 1983 describing the airplane and some history. In it the wing mod is referred to as "super tips" and strobe. I have the left wing on the rotatory, covering off. The droop tip has no info on it but on the outboard end of both spars is a stamp that has the following information. "Drawing UVA 101-235-2 Date 3/1/1964 PAGT P3 Inspector Marvey Ferguson"
I asked Univair and it's not their number. Can anyone shed some light on this? Specifically, if keeping these tips is the thing to do...

V/r

Randy
 
Randy S Bachmann said:
All,In the little paperwork that I do have is a letter dated Sept 1983 describing the airplane and some history. In it the wing mod is referred to as "super tips" and strobe. I have the left wing on the rotatory, covering off. The droop tip has no info on it but on the outboard end of both spars is a stamp that has the following information. "Drawing UVA 101-235-2 Date 3/1/1964 PAGT P3 Inspector Marvey Ferguson"I asked Univair and it's not their number. Can anyone shed some light on this? Specifically, if keeping these tips is the thing to do...V/rRandy
Click to expand...

UVA : Upper Vally Aviation.

You have the "Booster wingtip" STC, Should have the paperwork in your logs or get the info off the disc from the FAA.

It's the best of the so called wing tip extension mods in my opinion but most hate the droop tip, say they can't see past the wing tip. I think is cause they hit their head on it in the dark in the hanger ;)

It adds a fair amount of wing area and I felt at high angles of attack it kept the flow over the ailerons.


Rocket

and yes, you defenatly want to keep the wing tips!
 
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Good morning
Any advice on a STC, mod or kit to deal with the landing/taxi lights? Even with the wing covering off and, on the rotisserie, those little screws and nuts are a pain!
 
Landing Light installation is drawing 12534. Kroil or PB Blaster and a heat gun works for getting the screws out.
 
Randy S Bachmann said:
Good morningAny advice on a STC, mod or kit to deal with the landing/taxi lights? Even with the wing covering off and, on the rotisserie, those little screws and nuts are a pain!
Click to expand...
Oh my, are you in for some fun. Fortunately there are now LED landing and taxi bulbs, good for 10,000 hours they say, so most likly you'll never have to replace them. Put silicon grease on the little screws that hold the leads to the bulb, you'll thank me in about ten years. Rocket
 
Randy S Bachmann said:
Good morning
Any advice on a STC, mod or kit to deal with the landing/taxi lights? Even with the wing covering off and, on the rotisserie, those little screws and nuts are a pain!
Click to expand...

The last time I replaced my old PAR36 lamps, I removed all the mounting screws and nuts, and reassembled them with new bolts installed from the back of the mounting plate, then a nut & lock or star washer. It's easy to use an open-end wrench on the bolt-heads behind the frames, and a suitable nutdriver to really tighten the retaining nuts.
You might want to securely tape the wrench to a long stick, or tie a string around the wrench and your wrist, so you are less likely to lose it in the wing behind the lamps!
Now the threaded ends of the bolts are facing forward, for easy access!
I installed CAR3 compatible* LED spots (not traps or floods) in both landing and taxi positions, then secured the outer frames using pre-screwed nylok nuts.
If those LED lamps ever fail, it will be relatively simple to replace them with the nuts on the forward side of the assemblies.
While I had everything apart I cleaned up the cruddy old black paint in the lamp housings and hit the surfaces with Flat Black BBQ rattle paint.

*Think about what an RV builder might use, and remember our planes predate FAA regs for many components.

Best,
GG
 
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