At long last is appears that I have found a company that can make all the necessary rib dies at a price that is reasonable even in these times.
What I am looking for here is which ribs should be made first? My take on it is the nose ribs, intermediate ribs, the L/R nose and intermediate butt ribs. Just these ribs alone will require 6 different dies. It will take a total of 14 different dies to form all the different ribs.
I need some serious input here. If we are to make ribs there will need to be a ready and willing market.
Let me hear from you all! Call me @ (907)688-3715 or email me:
burl@biginalaska.com.
I will try to answer any and all questions if I can. Right now I'm sure cost is utmost in everyone's mind. This will have to be determined as we go along and get cost estimates on the dies and material and production costs.
Happy New Year to you ALL!!
Burl
FINALLY!!! New Wing Ribs for the Sedan
FINALLY!!! New Wing Ribs for the Sedan
When all else fails, go to the source. Factory Approved parts and data will get you back in the air.
Butt Ribs
This is great news! I've been struggling with some repairs on mine and wasn't happy with how it was going. The possibility of new butt ribs is a relief--thanks Burl!
Like I told you offline, I'm willing to step up with an order for L/R nose and L/R intermediate butt ribs. Anybody else? :-)
Eric
Like I told you offline, I'm willing to step up with an order for L/R nose and L/R intermediate butt ribs. Anybody else? :-)
Eric
I agree! Are you talking about the aux tanks Burl has been working on? Another ten gallons of gas in each wing would sure be nice. Than a guy could carry something besides jerry cans in the back.
I'm not sure what I'm going to need in my wings. I wouldn't rule out corrosion at this point, so I'm real glad parts are going to be available. My project was put on hold after we sold our house and bought one that was unfinished. I get to work on the Sedan when my wife has a kitchen again....Louis
I'm not sure what I'm going to need in my wings. I wouldn't rule out corrosion at this point, so I'm real glad parts are going to be available. My project was put on hold after we sold our house and bought one that was unfinished. I get to work on the Sedan when my wife has a kitchen again....Louis
Louis,
Am talking about ANY tanks at this point. I really wish that Aeronca had put some sort of "header" tank in the system where the two mains feed into, then to the engine but they did not.
Have heard scuttlebutt of both a header and/or a wing tank possibly coming up for the Sedan, and from various sources. I do not care where it comes from, would just like to have some options!
Right now I have about 100 hours under my belt in the Sedan and much more than 2.5 hours and I am looking for an airport. Just did a trip 5 days ago that was 2.4 hours and landed with 8 gallons of gas in the tanks, so the Sedan could really IMHO use a bit more fuel at times.
Joe
Am talking about ANY tanks at this point. I really wish that Aeronca had put some sort of "header" tank in the system where the two mains feed into, then to the engine but they did not.
Have heard scuttlebutt of both a header and/or a wing tank possibly coming up for the Sedan, and from various sources. I do not care where it comes from, would just like to have some options!
Right now I have about 100 hours under my belt in the Sedan and much more than 2.5 hours and I am looking for an airport. Just did a trip 5 days ago that was 2.4 hours and landed with 8 gallons of gas in the tanks, so the Sedan could really IMHO use a bit more fuel at times.
Joe
Joe: I installed a header tank in my Sedan. I bought the kit from Burl a few years back. Did you talk to him about that? The kit utilizes a C-170 fuel valve. It was a field approval, but no problem. Things should be simpler now that Burl has a new fuel valve approved. I haven't flown with the system yet, of course, but it should eliminate the fuel interruption problems. I also wasn't real fond of how the old fuel line was practically resting on the master switch and circuit breakers....Louis
Joe: The header tank mounts behind the firewall, between the crossmembers that join with the upper engine mount attach point. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing installation on an assembled airplane would involve removal of the boot cowl.
The dimensions of the header tank are 4"x20", which, according to my volume calculations, would give you about a gallon....Louis
The dimensions of the header tank are 4"x20", which, according to my volume calculations, would give you about a gallon....Louis
I believe the header tank requires the installation of a Cessna 170 fuel valve. This does allow for independent operation of the left and right tanks. In my opinion this is a nice option especially with the limited fuel supply with the 180 Lycoming conversion. something to also consider is the 50+ year old Imperial fuel shutoff is done away with and replaced with a production part. Talk to Burl or check his website for more details.
Burl
I thought my ears were ringing the other day! Count me in on the ribs. A whole rack of ribs sure would be tasty with the fresh fuselage.
Now you also have me thinking of my old project again...
Tom
Burl
I thought my ears were ringing the other day! Count me in on the ribs. A whole rack of ribs sure would be tasty with the fresh fuselage.
Now you also have me thinking of my old project again...Tom
It has been over a week now since I posted this notice about the wing ribs for the Sedan.
Aside from Tom and Eric posting here I have not heard from anyone else. Not an email, not a phone call; nothing!
I'll be the devil's uncle if I can figure out how this post got turned into a thread about the Sedan fuel system and its components. (???????????) Let's stay on track here!
If I don't get any more feedback than this then I will not pursue the rib manufacturing. It's a simple decision; no market, no product, PERIOD!
If you need ribs, and I'm sure you do, then let me hear from you. The orders will need to be prepaid.
I'm not going out on the same limb as I did on the fuel valves that everyone had to have. I had 21 owners contact me and said to let them know when the valve kit would be available. I notified every one of them and not one has bought a valve yet. In fact, they never returned my calls or email. How's that for a thank you, job well done?
Only 10 have been sold. I still have 90 valves on the shelf. Anyone need to replace a leaky, sticky, crappy, antique, out of production fuel valve?
Sorry, here I am back at the fuel system components again, too but I hope you get my point. I'll be here for you but YOU HAVE TO BE HERE FOR ME, TOO.
Burl
Aside from Tom and Eric posting here I have not heard from anyone else. Not an email, not a phone call; nothing!
I'll be the devil's uncle if I can figure out how this post got turned into a thread about the Sedan fuel system and its components. (???????????) Let's stay on track here!
If I don't get any more feedback than this then I will not pursue the rib manufacturing. It's a simple decision; no market, no product, PERIOD!
If you need ribs, and I'm sure you do, then let me hear from you. The orders will need to be prepaid.
I'm not going out on the same limb as I did on the fuel valves that everyone had to have. I had 21 owners contact me and said to let them know when the valve kit would be available. I notified every one of them and not one has bought a valve yet. In fact, they never returned my calls or email. How's that for a thank you, job well done?
Only 10 have been sold. I still have 90 valves on the shelf. Anyone need to replace a leaky, sticky, crappy, antique, out of production fuel valve?
Sorry, here I am back at the fuel system components again, too but I hope you get my point. I'll be here for you but YOU HAVE TO BE HERE FOR ME, TOO.
Burl
When all else fails, go to the source. Factory Approved parts and data will get you back in the air.