Well I've been putting in some serious hours trying to get the -8 to an IFR status while performing the condition inspection and thought I'd share some of the progress and dilemmas I've been incurring. To preface, I did not build the airplane so I am 'righting' some previous owners/builders handiwork to my preference/specification. Right now the biggest threat to the timeline is mission creep; it seems like the further into the airplane I dig the more I find that needs/I want to have corrected. I think the crux will be sorting out the needs vs the wants. I'd like the opinions of those out there in sorting out some of these needs vs wants. Here's some photo updates:
As she sits:
The panel minus the electric artifical horizon not mounted:
The aunnunciator strip a la Paul Dye (shamelessly copied)
What kind of alt mount am I looking for? Case or Boss mount? I purchased a Boss mount kit from vans and it doesn't look like the puzzle pieces fit together for a 12 and 6' oclock mounting auto alternator (yes, I'm decided on the auto alternator)
This clearly needs to be fixed, each prop bolt is approx 3/4'' too long so a total of 5 washers are added to correct the length. I can a) buy new bolts for $200 or b) cut the length and file/run a die over the threads. And yes it surprised me to see no safety wire, they will be safety wired after replacement/cutting.
Finally, I'm relocating the old fuel gauges from the panel to just next to the fuel selector valve. Can I get rid of both of them and just use a fuel totalizer from EI? We all know the resistance floats are worthless but I'm unfamilar with the CFR that might require me to retain them. As always, thanks for the input. Looking for info on the alternator mount ASAP. I will give consideration to all suggestions and act on the prudent ones.
As she sits:
The panel minus the electric artifical horizon not mounted:
The aunnunciator strip a la Paul Dye (shamelessly copied)
What kind of alt mount am I looking for? Case or Boss mount? I purchased a Boss mount kit from vans and it doesn't look like the puzzle pieces fit together for a 12 and 6' oclock mounting auto alternator (yes, I'm decided on the auto alternator)
This clearly needs to be fixed, each prop bolt is approx 3/4'' too long so a total of 5 washers are added to correct the length. I can a) buy new bolts for $200 or b) cut the length and file/run a die over the threads. And yes it surprised me to see no safety wire, they will be safety wired after replacement/cutting.
Finally, I'm relocating the old fuel gauges from the panel to just next to the fuel selector valve. Can I get rid of both of them and just use a fuel totalizer from EI? We all know the resistance floats are worthless but I'm unfamilar with the CFR that might require me to retain them. As always, thanks for the input. Looking for info on the alternator mount ASAP. I will give consideration to all suggestions and act on the prudent ones.