To buy or not to buy

[Extrakatana]

Did a more thorough inspection today under the knowledge a complete annual would follow if all looked good today.
Scoped all of the cylinders.....looked good and saw hone marks. Was able to look at 2 lobes on the cam through the dipstick tube.....all looked good. Did a static test and changed the oil/checked the filter. Progressing and will post some pics once this works out.
Thanks for the help.

[T. Gandy]

I must be a lucky stiff. I bought two airplanes by looking them over and talking to the owner - a 1946 Champ and a 1947 Stinson Voyager. I might have had a mechanic do a prepurchase on the Stinson, but it was 1500 miles away. It doesn't hurt to be thourough, but if an airplane is going to burn you, you may never see it coming no matter how close you look. As engines go, the only 100% guarantee of what you have is a tear down - not going to happen.

IMHO, if you like the airplane and the owner and if the owner has a good reputation (didn't someone say they knew this owner?), pull the trigger and buy it. Like a car, you can tell a lot about how an airplane has been treated by how the exterior/interior look. Scratches, dents, torn/worn fabric, bad tires or under inflated tires always point to a possibly tired plane on the inside, too. In a lot of ways, the outside reflects what's on the inside.

[BEEZERBOY]

yep, better to have multiple samples when you do spectrographic oil analysis, but they can spot an obvious problem on a single sample, though the oil should have some time on it. Blackstone labs, $25. there are others... all can provide 1 day turnaround.

example: metals such as iron, copper, tin and lead rates of wear can be observed and abnormal wear modes can be detected. Many contaminants have metallic components which can be monitored as well. Some additives also have metallic components. Monitoring additive metals can help indicate when a system has been topped off with the incorrect lubricant.

Elements Possible Source
Iron (Fe) Shafts, Gears, Housing, Piston Rings, Cylinder Walls
Copper (Cu) Brass/Bronze Alloys, Bearings, Bushings, Thrust Washers
Lead (Pb) Bearings, Anti-Wear Gears
Tin (Sn) Bearing Alloys, Bearing Cages, Solder
Aluminum (Al) Pumps, Thrust Washers, Pistons
Chromium (Cr) Roller Bearings, Piston Rings, Cylinder Walls
Nickel (Ni) Pumps, Gear Platings, Valves
Titanium (Ti) Exotic Alloy
Silver (Ag) Some Bearings
Magnesium (Mg) Detergent Additive, Coolant Additive
Silicon (Si) Dirt, Defoamant Additive
Boron (B) Anti-corrosion in Coolants
Sodium (Na) Detergent Additive, Coolant Additive
Barium (Ba) Rust and Corrosion Inhibitors
Calcium (Ca) Detergent/Dispersant Additive
Phosphorus (P) Anti-wear Additive, EP Gear Additive
Potassium (K) Coolant Additive
Molybdenum (Mo) EP Additive
Zinc (Zn) Anti-wear Additive
Vanadium (V) Turbine Blades

[Extrakatana]

I must be a lucky stiff.

Sounds like good luck to me!

(didn't someone say they knew this owner?)

Nupe. Owner not mentioned

you can tell a lot about how an airplane has been treated by how the exterior/interior look.

I Agree!

[Extrakatana]

The deal is done. Time to breathe gently.

[T. Gandy]

Congratulations!! I'm envious. Have fun and I hope I see it in St. Louis.

[W.J.Langholz]

Congrats!!!!!

Give us and Update when you get a chance. Maybe some pics too


W.

[Extrakatana]

...

[Ryan Smith]

I've seen you on Flying Giants before, I believe. I think your RV6A is/was your avatar on there at one point. The username ExtraKatana is a little too coincidental for someone who doesn't fly R/C.

Beautiful airplane you've got! Congratulations!

[Extrakatana]

Hi Ryan,
Yes! I sent you a PM

[T. Gandy]

Very pretty 170. Congratulations!!

[W.J.Langholz]

Good Looking 170!!!!!!! Good Job! and enjoy it


W.

[blueldr]

That's a realy nice looking C-170B and I prticularly like the panel. Nice and neat looking. I would guess that they put a "U" yoke in in place of the "T" yoke in order to center stack the radios. Very nice. Enjoy.

[Extrakatana]

Thanks folks. It was love at first sight. Just needed to make sure thAt engine was just as good. Due diligence is required when we place ourselves on the line. Hence, all the questions about the O300.

[GAHorn]

After seeing the pic, all that worry about the engine is less troublesome than the pic of that panel raises.
What work was actually done and how was it documented, and who did it ?......is the first thing that jumps out at me.

(Lovely airplane tho', congrats! Hope that panel is legal and those yokes are not plastic.)