Best three mods

[blueldr]

Did you guys ever wonder why Clyde put differential braking on the airplane?

[hilltop170]

Was it because he was a farm tractor mechanic in his previous career?

[Dooley]

If its supposed to be a steerable tailwheel, it would be nice if it worked. I like things that work. Many things can be improved. Back on topic. I like my O-360 and my Plane-power 70amp alternator with solid state voltage regulator. Also circuit breakers, and lightweight sky-tec starter, one piece windshield, Rosen sun visors. Dooley

[GAHorn]

When was the last time you replacedthe heavy duty steering springs?

[bigrenna]

delete

[Kyle]

Hi Greg,

1) Tail pull handles

2) HSI - Century vacuum driven unit - SO simple, driven by my Garmin SL30 and the venturi tube w/regulator -

3) sholder harness's that retract - best thing since black labs.

lots more of them to talk about but I'll save that for the walk around over a coffee.

[bigrenna]

delete

[marathonrunner]

George

I like all your mods except the non riveted impulse couplings. Get the shower of sparks. Easy to install, NO AD notes, full spark all the time instead of one little click from a spring that corrodes and breaks over time, about the same cost as impulse mags.

[GAHorn]

I disagree thoroughly!
Shower of sparks SUCKS....and only starts on ONE mag.....and requires major changes to the
mag switch circuits.......AND fails to provide retarded spark except to that one mag.

[marathonrunner]

Well, lots of engines have only one impulsed coupled magneto. The wiring is not a big deal really. I guess just go with what you know best no real right or wrong.

[GAHorn]

Have you priced that mag switch difference lately?
AND, have you ever tried to hand prop shower of sparks?
(no retarded spark, and dangerous kickback.)

[marathonrunner]

I have an email in to Cliff at Aircraft Magneto Service in Bainbridge Island Washington. He is also an advocate of the shower of sparks and does repair them for fixed prices as well as sell kits. I will get the price difference. He also has both magnetos with the shower of sparks. I am guessing he has a switch that is affordable but not sure.

I will get that information and price difference with comparable impulse coupled magnetos and post it. On hand propping I have handpropped a few of 985's in Beavers which also do not have impulse coupled magnetos. I agree that is dangerous but I have not had to hand prop an airplane in years. I do however buy batteries and keep them maintained so that does not happen or it would be very rare. Usually unless you are very remote then youcan either get a new battery or, charge yours.

[marathonrunner]

Actually, I have been so remote that a snow machine...(snowmobile?) battery and some improvised jumper cables did the trick... you really don't want to know what that was..northwest Alaska above the Arctic Circle

[GAHorn]

And another thing you cannot have a shower sparks with a pull starter.
the R985 uses 1 magneto for starting usually the left, it is always retarded, and it is not shower of sparks.
...... a shower of sparks for cessna 170 is a lousy idea. trust me on this one.

[marathonrunner]

Umm unless we have been timing them wrong all these years they are 25 degrees BTC on both mags for the 985 and just one set of breaker points in each. No retard option on the ones I have flown. I do not know if that is true you cannot have shower of sparks with pull starter but it may be I will check that as well.

A lot of people do not like having shower of sparks and I have not figured out why as it is absolutely total spark the whole starting process instead of one little spark each compression stroke on one cylinder only. I also do not think anyone advocates handpropping unless it is the only way to start or an emergency. I learned in a J-3 and that was the only way to start. Unfortunately I have seen a lot of poor technigue with hand propping...standing too far away and pulling oneself into the prop instead of close and pushing away, fingertips curled around the trailing edge, the list goes on.

There really should be good instruction on the best way to hand prop before attempting it and I do know there are several videos of planes gone wild when someone had either an inexperienced person at the controls or no one and the tie down device broke or came loose, or in some cases was not even chocked or tied down.

Maintaining the aircraft and having a good battery makes way more sense in my opinion.