converting from a a65 to a c85

[dfcpac]

i have a 1971 champ that has a a-65 in it now. the model for the aircraft is a 7aca. i'm looking for a stc paperwork to put a c-85 in it. anyone have any information on this/ i can not find any thing

thank you
dan carley
n9176l

[Dennis]

Isn't there a service letter that allows the exchange to a -8 with only a log book entry?

I am sure someone on here knows for sure. I will check my service letters.

Dennis

[MikeB]

This would be a Bellanca right? Didn't realize they still put in A65 engines although seems like I remember the Franklin (??). Did they do both??

Mike

[badger bob]

Dan ill be watching this thred. i have a 71 aca also. and id like to have a little more power to. the 65 is just a little weak on power for the 2 fat boys that fly it. thanks Bob

[Paul Agaliotis]

Dan,
You may be on your own on this one. The SL used for a 7AC conversion can be referenced on your STC. I don't know of any C85 conversions to the 7ACA, Bellanca didn't make that many of them. If the Feds shoot it down, shop it around. Or just follow the Service Letter installation procedures for the C85 and mail the 337 to the ACO and forget about it. Remember, you're not asking permission you're informing them of the properly modified state of the aircraft.
Paul

[badger bob]

mike the aca only came with the franklin. but most have been repowered with the old a65 . the 0200 in your L16 must be like a rockit. thats a good looking plane. Bob

[MikeB]

Paul: I like your style but I wonder if some sharp eyed FAA type might catch it somewhere down the line. Although it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission in some cases.

Bob: Big improvement over my 65 horse Champ but it came in pretty heavy at about 955#. When you add in starter, battery, mufflers, metal prop, Airtex interior, extra fuel tanks (18#) etc. It all adds up. The greenhouse also adds weight (fabric would add very little). I guess when you throw it up and it comes down it's going to add weight but I pretty much always fly alone or with someone light so it really doesn't matter overall and it really does perform even with the 69 inch 150 prop.

Mike

[Carl Prather]

Daniel,

You might ask ACA for the part number of the fuselage to see if it matches one the earlier 7 series models. Then, I would argue there is a structural justification for using either the Aeronca Service Letter or possibly the Lasher or Wagner STC. Other than fuel consumption, the C-85 weighs only 10 or 12 pounds more than an A-65 as the only measurable differences or consequence. Not a major difference, just measurable. With respect to the engine or airframe, one could use a wood prop with the C-85 and the installation's total weight would be nearly equal to one with a metal prop. No one seems to ask if the metal prop presents any additional structural loads.

Maybe the Melhoffs could write a letter in support of using a Lasher or Wagner STC directly. I don't see why they couldn't do this and it would show support for the Aeronca.

Otherwise, I would bet the FAA would be very receptive to an engine swap if you decided to put on a starter, especially after that tragic death of a pilot down in San Diego in the past few days.

I like Paul's direct approach the most, though.

Good luck,

Carl Prather

[rkittine]

That is one of the reasons that I like the C-90-8 in my 7CCM. No accessory case, no starter or alternator, battery or ignition, no need for a Transponder even under all Class B except Washington DC, less metal in the cylinders to provide more cubic inches, so the weight increase is negliable.

Danny, Call Don at Don's Dream Machine in Atlanta. He is a Continental Guru and has a number of STCs. The 0-200 Parts conversion in the C-85 in my Chief was supplied by him. I talk to him frequently about my Continental Engines and he is a wealth of knowledge. - Ciao - Robert

[Sonny Brown]

Dan i'll be watching this thread as well. Currently have a '71 ACA also but with the boat anchor Franklin that has been giving me a fit ever since being reinstalled after recover job. would like to get any hints,tips,tricks as well. Thanks for the info.

Sonny

[rkittine]

Danny,

There is a mod for making your A65 a 75 with a modification to the carb, a new prop that can get the added RPM, but it does require the Oil Passages to be enlarged. Not sure if you want to go through all that for only 10HP and still no starter. - Ciao - Robert

[Rich Valler]

Dan

In the UK there is an example of the Bellanca Champ 7ACA, imported in 1988 from the US where as N9173L I'm fairly certain it had already been re-engined with a C85-8F.

I've seen posts on here about obtaining a CD with the FAA records for specific aircraft ... without being the owner would it still be possible for you to get the FAA records for N9173L to see if they have a paper-trail for the conversion, and then use that as precedent?

If not, let me know and I'll see if I can obtain the paperwork background to the conversion from the owner (although that may not get a quick result as owner and documentation may well be far apart during the winter).

Rich

[Windknot]

So what ever happened with this?

I see the plane is for sale on Barnstormers now and its got a C-85-12 in it.

Any problems? I'm also wondering how many other parts/repairs were done to aeronca standards after the "Damage-Substantial" crash back in '78.....I've got a feeling there's more Aeronca than Bellanca in that plane anyway!!

Good luck with the sale....great looking bird:

http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_ ... +7aca.html

[Paul Agaliotis]

Looks like Dan got it all straightened out. The best way to check on the repair information is to send the FAA a Hamilton and pull the CD.
Paul