Installing A TCM IO360

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Metal Master
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Installing A TCM IO360

Post by Metal Master »

I spent a couple of hour’s yesterday afternoon talking with Tom Anderson of The Landing Gear Works in Renton Washington at his facility at the Renton airport. He showed me around his shop and I got to see some of his inventory of ready to ship exchange stock landing gear and his titanium landing gear replacements. He also showed me his jig for manufacturing the engine mount used for installing his STC‘d TCM IO360 into a Cessna 170 aircraft.
This leads to my purpose of being there. I have decided to install a Continental IO360 engine and constant speed propellor in my 170A. I have found an overhauled Propellor at an unbelievable bargain as well as an engine which I will go through myself also at an unbelievable bargain.
Concerning all of the issues related in posts here on the C170 Association web site I have no concern about my ability to complete this project getting the engine mount built and inspected to meet the requirement. To the extent I am able to take pictures as things come together I will try to post pictures and details as I work on this project. In the mean time while I get the part pieces altogether I intend to keep my 170 flying as is with the O300A installed.
I found my visit with Tom really fun we are both from this area have similar back grounds and experiences. We had a fun time sharing sea stories along with looking at a converted 172 on floats with an IO360 installed. One of the interesting aspects of Tom’s TCM IO360 STC installation is that it allows the retention of the original air filter inlet as a dummy. Which I am inclined to do. The IO360 inlet filter is on top of the engine inside the cowling.
This will be about the sixth engine upgrade to a single engine Cessna aircraft I have performed and am excited about the project. My costs will be much less than the average persons might be and I would not consider this project if I figured that I could not perform the project at less than $20,000 overall costs.
We will see.
Regards,
Jim
A&P, IA, New owner C170A N1208D, Have rebuilt some 50 aircraft. So many airplanes, So little time!
bagarre
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by bagarre »

Do you plan to make the mount yourself or do you have someone for that?
bagarre
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by bagarre »

I've been collecting parts and hunting for a decent IO-360 for a while now. It's tough to find a decent IO-360. There are lots of run out ones or overhauled 40 years ago with an airmelt crank tho.

Wait until you price the firewall shut off valve 8O

But, you're right about it not being incredibly difficult. If you can weld aluminum and stainless steel, that is.
The project is very much DIY with some fabrication required where as the Lycoming 360 kit comes with everything needed including washers and bolts.

Have you bought the plans yet?
Last edited by bagarre on Sun Mar 04, 2018 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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johneeb
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by johneeb »

"One of the interesting aspects of Tom’s TCM IO360 STC installation is that it allows the retention of the original air filter inlet as a dummy."

Jim here is one of the ways you could use the original now dummy carburetor air inlet. The heat with this set up is amazing.
170 progress    2004-10-28 001.jpg
170 progress    2004-10-28 003.jpg
John E. Barrett
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Metal Master
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by Metal Master »

bagarre wrote:Do you plan to make the mount yourself or do you have someone for that?
I am building it as an owner produced part. I have done this many times before with other items so I am familiar with the process. However Tom and I will work together on this as he has the jig.
A&P, IA, New owner C170A N1208D, Have rebuilt some 50 aircraft. So many airplanes, So little time!
Metal Master
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by Metal Master »

Have you bought the plans yet?[/quote]
I have the instructions and STC. I viewed the plans (drawings) yesterday. Tom and I have agreed I will be able to pick them up the end of this week or first of next week.
A&P, IA, New owner C170A N1208D, Have rebuilt some 50 aircraft. So many airplanes, So little time!
Metal Master
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by Metal Master »

johneeb wrote:"One of the interesting aspects of Tom’s TCM IO360 STC installation is that it allows the retention of the original air filter inlet as a dummy."

Jim here is one of the ways you could use the original now dummy carburetor air inlet. The heat with this set up is amazing.
170 progress 2004-10-28 001.jpg
170 progress 2004-10-28 003.jpg
Are you using that for just the heat inlet or also as the air inlet for the FMU?
A&P, IA, New owner C170A N1208D, Have rebuilt some 50 aircraft. So many airplanes, So little time!
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johneeb
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by johneeb »

Jim,
Strictly for cabin heat, as you know the FMU regular air intake is a "Y" pipe with an filter on one branch and the other alternate branch I plumbed to the low pressure side of the baffling in case the snow god some how packed the cowling with snow there is still an air source (it could happen, I hope I am home in bed when it does).

DSCN2063.JPG
John E. Barrett
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bagarre
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by bagarre »

John,
I just saw that air intake setup two weeks ago on another conversion and thought it genius.

how did you do your exhaust?
I'm not crazy about re-working the O-300 exhaust and I don't like the look of the HawkXP exhaust.
I was thinking about trying to get approval to modify the HawkXP exhaust to route out the bottom like a Bartone(sp?) exhaust to keep things looking pseudo original.
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T. C. Downey
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by T. C. Downey »

If you are in Puget Sound, I'd like to drop by and see what I can see :)
Metal Master
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by Metal Master »

T. C. Downey wrote:If you are in Puget Sound, I'd like to drop by and see what I can see :)
I am at the Auburn airport S50 when I am at the Auburn airport. I do not have much to look at yet unless you are asking johneeb?
A&P, IA, New owner C170A N1208D, Have rebuilt some 50 aircraft. So many airplanes, So little time!
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48RagwingPilot
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by 48RagwingPilot »

Does Mr. Anderson's STC cover the '48 C-170? Just curious. Thx.
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johneeb
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by johneeb »

I do not know if the STC covers the 170.
I used the o-300 exhaust muffs, seemed like the least path of resistance. It has worked will and taught me about pipe angle geometry.
Arish here are photos at some point in the project.

170 progress    2004-07-21 001.jpg
170 progress    2004-07-21 002.jpg
John E. Barrett
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Metal Master
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by Metal Master »

48RagwingPilot wrote:Does Mr. Anderson's STC cover the '48 C-170? Just curious. Thx.
The stc applicability lists the 170, 170A, 170B, 172, 172 through the 172D, F172D through H, 175 through the C model and the 172 F & H (T-41)
A&P, IA, New owner C170A N1208D, Have rebuilt some 50 aircraft. So many airplanes, So little time!
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48RagwingPilot
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Re: Installing A TCM IO360

Post by 48RagwingPilot »

Thx. I am close by @KTIW, so may want to pick your brain a little if it's ok.
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