Piper project, take it on or let it pass

[Smarcoux]

I have this as an opportunity
at least 13 years sitting.
1953 Pa-22
O290 d2 800hrs smoh
chrome cylinders looks great with bore scope.
Cam and crank? tbd

Not sealed struts with light surface rust upper half.
Newer strut forks.

Logs are incomplete.

Basically he would rather it be restored than parted out. I could buy it for the price of an engine core.

My step son just got his A&P (working for jet blue now) it would be our project.

My issue is I don't know what I don't know about Tri Pacers. I am not an A&P but have been working with tube and fabric planes for good while.

I am also very aware of the "free horse" that I might be getting into.

Looking for some advise and guidance.

 

[rsrguy3]

Sooo. First look very carefully for rust, lower longerons etc, with your experience it should be a snap to repair it.
These things are heaps of fun.
If we're talking about the price of an o290 core, about 3k then, jump in with both feet. If it isn't cotton chances are the covering is in good shape, with some paint/dope repair you can fly, as is for a bit. I love that motor, it runs great on mogas. Parts are available thanks to the innerwebs.
Next to free is the only way to start on a tripe resto, you already know what it'll cost you to cover it, so if you're buying it right, why not? The only other factor is your time, how often and how much time can you throw at it?

 

[Steve Pierce]

Do you enjoy working on stuff, have the time and space. Start researching here, anything you want to know about restoring a Short Wing Piper is here or a post away.

 

[Jim]

Hi,

Save it, or pass it on to those that will.

 

[Smarcoux]

Thank you for the input.
lol, well I paid for an O320 fire wall forward a few years ago, so it was double that.

I was able to use the bore scope to look at the lower longerons as best I could.
Did not see anything bogus, as of yet. I will be getting the logs this weekend to look over.

Jim, I agreed with the gentleman that if for some reason I didn't take it on, I will make every effort to find someone that will take care of it.

That said Im not sure I will be passing this up. The plane just makes sense.

Yes my son and I will need help with knowledge.

 

[rsrguy3]

If you don't have much ring worm, I'd be tempted to rejuvenate the dope. You have what looks to be a seriously cool paint job. The bottom paint can be restored.

 

[Steve Pierce]

The structure looks really clean.

 

[MrBill]

Any idea what caused the bottom to peel? Anyone? Probably see rust streaks along the longerons if it was battery acid. Everything else looks great.

 

[rsrguy3]

Couple of things can cause that... hard to tell from pics. I've seen jobs where the initial coat of dope was incorrect..... buterate instead of nitrate, I've also seen poor prep(contamination) prior to a second coat of paint, cause this... Incompatible paint will do this as well, something like polytone on a urethane...
The most likely culprit? This is the dirty side, if the paint wasn't properly cleaned and abraided it it won't make the long haul.

 

[Steve Pierce]

Any idea what caused the bottom to peel? Anyone? Probably see rust streaks along the longerons if it was battery acid. Everything else looks great.

Looks like they might have repainted the belly without cleaning and or scuffing the old paint. Not coming off down to the fabric which is good.

 

[tim bandy]

in the 1-st and 2-nd pictures-- if you magnify them----look at the left (as you look at the picture) side of the cross tube that supports the trim wheel. If you look closely where the tube welds into the longeron -- it looks like there is a rusty crack there. it also looks like there is a little on the other side too-----
Paint remove and blast that first and then magiflux (dye-penetrant) those areas right away. could be the welds cracked for some reason and the rust is just a tell tale.

But it looks like it could be a nice plane ---- IF the tubes are not rusted inside or out. Check for metal screws into the tubing in the cabin. That will let moisture inside the tubes. And there there is SB-819 ----- look for that to have
done in the logs-- (if it has logs---)

 

[Smarcoux]

I was able to get back out to the airport to dig a little deeper this past weekend.

Found more good and not so good but nothing earth shattering yet. Im finding what at first looks like "uh'oh's" are turning out to be not so bad.
example are the two picks of the frame near the pull. Cracks on the interior finish paint, underneath reveal very nice frame paint and welds.
Then the covering. Well you win some and you lose some. left side wing is some what of a hot mess especially around the tank.
There are several rattle can touch up spots on the plane and from the looks of it that's the reason for the underside potato chips.
Under the floor rear seat to back of front seat is in better shape than expected.

Tim I will look closer at the cross tube. Has that area been a known failure point? Did not see anything specific in the logs about sb 819.
the plane was recovered with Ceconite in 1968.

I have noticed digital pics. tend to make anything not in focus look drastically worse than in person.

Thanks for the feed back guys!

 

[MrBill]

Yes, Like that rusted thru pin hole in the first pic. Looks very bad but the second pic shows that it is most likely where the weld pooled as it cooled. Im sure things look much better in person.

 

[Smarcoux]

After much deliberation I will have to pass this opportunity on.

The aircraft has a rich Newengland history after being built it was flown to Marlborough Ma. known to be one of the shortest fields around before it was turned into an office park a few years ago.
If Im not mistaken there has only been two owners.

The current owner would like to sell it complete and have it restored. He already has offers for parting out and does not want to go down that road. Since he lives in FLA and the plane is in Massachusetts it would be to much logistics.
Anyone that is serious about the plane can contact me and I will give them the contact info.

That said it is mostly timing on my part that is preventing me from taking on the project there was not a major issue with the plane itself.

 

[Old3pacer]

What kind of $$ is the seller asking?

 

[Smarcoux]

What kind of $$ is the seller askin

What kind of $$ is the seller asking?

Ball park
$7000 give or take.

Apologies I forgot to pressed send