Chief Yoke Universal Joints

[MikeB]

The yoke universal joints on my Chief project are a little looser than I'd like them which results in a bit of side to side 'free play' in the control wheel. Nothing that's going to fall apart and I switched the right and left around as the left one had the most wear but I'd still like to replace them if someone happens to know a source. Part number is 1-2801 in the Aeronca Chief parts manual.

Also (I suppose this is a hopeless case) but I'd like to install a McDowell starting system if I could come up with all the parts. The bracket and pulley is still on the airframe and I may have located at least the hub. Unsure how much is there but I need to go look at it. It seems with all those that were taken off and thrown in a corner of the hangar there should still be some parts around but I know they are scarce as hen's teeth. Well anyway......just a shot in the dark.!!! Not a crisis at this point.

Mike

[EDGEFLY]

MikeB,

If you recall, I raised the question of fabricating parts to the manufacturiners's specifications and drawings for the McDowell starter system during the past year. There was a lot of traffic on the thread, some of which was to castigate me for even thinking that anyone who needed one of these things was only to hope that somewhere there were rusty remnants in a dingy dark hangar which probably were not servicible but might serve as accurate enough models that some talented mechanic could make acceptable replacement parts from them. Many semi-ghostly implications of pains which might befall me for not understanding the commands of the "system" were
suggested. And, at that time, Collie5857 was about to make a presentation at Sun'Fun on the workable system he had put together. Several forum members have stated their interest in somehow obtaining a McDowell set-up for their Aeroncas and I think this is still the situation. Rare as Hen's teeth ? Yes, impossible, I don't think so. let me strongly encourage you to consider a combination of original parts and precisely manufactured unavailable parts to solve this problem.

Incidentially, when I asked around, I was told there were 14 -18 Aeronca owners who had some parts of a McDowell system and were just looking for that dingy dark hanger owner too. I'm as guilty as anyone for not having taken any action. I hope you take some action which will benefit us all.

Dale

[MikeB]

Dale,
Quite sure that's the case as it would probably be a mixture of orginal, "reconditioned (insert correct word here ) and whatever else can be located in the dingy, dark and elusive hangar. I know a couple of dingy, dark hangars that may or may not hold some of the discarded parts. There must have been several thousand Chiefs, etc. that came with a nice new McDowell starter. I need to make a trip one of these days so see what my contact may have available. I'll keep everyone informed if I get lucky enough to locate anything useful. One person who shall go unnamed said he has a complete new unit still in the box but 'it's not for sale".
We're headed to Texas in a few weeks so maybe I can check out various locations on the way down (somehow I don't think my wife would appreciate that).
Mike

[Richard Murray]

MikeB

Not For Sale could mean the individual has not heard a price that attracted their attention. That price could well be more than you would want to pay.,

My wife tolerates my frequent detours on our trips, although I do have to listen to her recant the deviations with less than glamours detail whenever she speaks of a particular trip....

Richard

[Richard Murray]

Dale,

I was anxious and hopeful you would continue your quest and beat the odds. I don't think anyone didn't want you to succeed, rather those more wise, knowledgeable, and experienced with the workings of our governing bureaucracy were trying to alert you to the roadblocks and pitfalls that lay in your path. Sometimes individuals who are willing to ignore the restraints and impediments in their path create new solutions to old problems.

You keep trying if you can stand the heat.

[colie85857]

Dale & Mike, My article in the Oct issue of Aeronca Aviators, tells you what you need for the starter and with pictures.

[EDGEFLY]

So as not to Hijack MikeB's original thread, my additional responses will be posted under whatever and whatever and McDowell starters on this forum.

Dale

[Paul Agaliotis]

Mike,
All of the Chiefs have the brackets welded to the airframe. The handle is pretty easy to make and I have made all of the brackets for the cable drive system, both A series and C series, I still need to make some for Collie. If we need more I can start making them, but the last time I made about 10 sets and only one guy(Jay Spenser) installed them and provided feedback. They worked fine but required a lot of maintenance, that's why they got removed in the first place.
Some others have made the spring and the drive cogs but no drive wheels or complete starters.
Paul

[MikeB]

Thanks Paul,
Just in the thinking stage right now as I have at least another year to finish this Chief. Just finished covering the fuselage and ailerons so I have a ways to go although the wings are covered but need a 'repaint'. The McDowell starter does looked a cobbled arrangement but I thought it would be worth a try and my brother is a pretty skilled machinist and fabricator (unlike me ) so he could probably make new parts if I had some old ones to go by.

Bill Pancake called this morning and gave me a source for the yoke universal joints.

Mike

[Paul Agaliotis]

Mike,
I've seen starters for sale, from reasonable to the "skys the limit". It's all of the little hook-up parts that seem to be missing. The starter came with the mounting hardware only not the pulley system to bring it into the cabin area. Each manufacture made their own drive system, Aeronca included. Unfortunatly at overhaul the pieces were not reinstalled and were lost.
This probably the best starter set-up going and all for about 9 pounds.
Paul

[MikeB]

I think my "guy" has the hub but unsure what else. We'll see what transpires when I can get together with him.

Mike