Spring Maintenance

N729S’s annual is due in June, but most of the time, it’s better to take care of maintenance items when they are discovered. I started by rebuilding the weeping carburetor.

I replaced the old brass float with the newer foam style. This was an AD put out by Marvel Schebler.

After removing the old alternator to replace the brushes, I discovered the mounting bolt had worn completely through the steel bushing and into the aluminum case. Rather than get it overhauled, I replaced it with a new B&C alternator. Now my entire electrical system is B&C.

The bracket that holds the cable for the nose gear door was pretty badly bent. I don’t know how long it has been like this. The door is adjusted properly, so I didn’t want to straighten it. I machined a new one out of 4130 steel with a thicker section so it won’t bend in the future.

Lastly, it was time for two new main gear tires. The Michelin tires that were on the plane are slightly larger than the Goodyears and are marginal on clearance, so I went back to Goodyear Flight Special II’s.

The magnetos were also due for a 500hr overhaul. I sent them out to Magneto Services in Montana.