That sure looks like a Navion

Yes, I spent 6 years rebuilding one. It was a great airplane. No vices. After 1100 hrs flying it, I sold it.

Louis,

Thanks for the pics and info re: Grove brakes. This does help. Thank you.

Jim Snyder
CH 650

Louis, we live on the dry side here in Idaho. My wife has wanted to live close to the ocean. She's about to retire from Active Duty and has lined up a job as a Nurse with the VA Clinic at Camp Rilea. We have taken the weather into consideration, but life's a journey and sometimes you have to get wet ;-)

Hi Louie

Your progress is awesome. Are you sure that you're not an Aussie? Those guys really push their planes out the door! I had to take a break from upgrading to get after my spring chores. When I bought this place 5 years ago, I hadn't thought out the consequences of having to care for 10 acres. Now, after a month of chores, I'm about to start upgrading again.

I'm awaiting delivery of some 1/4 inch lock nuts and washers from Spruce. I ordered AN4 bolts to replace the AN3's to attach the spar root doubler. The 3/16" rivet holes are too big for my comfort zone with AN3's, so with Zenair concurrence I'm using AN4's.

I was going to send you a message about the SS rivets. I was thinking that I'd post a message to Matronics. I'd like ~250 myself, though I'm willing to buy 500. 1000 seems a bit much. I want to use them in high stress locations (or what looks like high stress to my amateur eye.) Folks have had smoke problems with the original Avex's in the wing nose skin joints with the top and bottom rear skins near the wing root. I'm sure that problem will be reduced as a result of the upgrade, but I'd like to use the SS rivets in those locations any way.

The AS-5's supplied by Zenair have too long a grip length for thin joints. The AS-5 rivet bulbs do not seat on the base metal. I'm sure they work just fine in the joints specified by Zenair, just not in thin joints.

So, if you're still in, I'll post a message on Matronics and see if I get any interest. We might end up having to split 1000 between us, but I can think of a few folks who I can contact directly if I do not get a response from the Matronics post.

Terry

Louie, it will be a struggle to deal with the weather in Bend ;-)

It is hard to measure performance improvements when a plane is as slow as the 601. ;)  But it certianly seals beatter ans leask less and is a lot easier to work because of the cross-bar at the rear bow.  Yes, they are the Grove gear, gun-drilled.  -15# compared to the Zenith gear and much more forgiving.

Andy

Mr. Ott

Hate to bother you but a couple questions-

Are you satisfied with the aeromax opposed to a WW engine

I have a short block from WW but it seems that he has elected to stop sending my parts paid for- waiting 5 months for distributor

I sent an email to Azaleaavaition-Bill Clapp- and got a prompt reply.  He has in stock dual point dist.with new ball bearing design, ss exhaust, alumn. intake- all parts that I need.  Wondering if you are familiar with these items.

 

Thanks-Fred Schutt