1963 Cherokee 180
Hi everyone, we just got the word we officially got her! 1963 Piper Cherokee 180! So happy to be part of the group. We are going through major upgrades before we bring her home. We are completely redoing the panel, garmin g5’s, another garmin nav/com, garmin 430, and a garmin 255 so we can lose all the cdi’s. Looking forward to interacting with everyone. I tried putting some pics in but they wouldn’t load. We are also documenting it all via video on YouTube but don’t want to violate any rules by posting the vid. Can’t wait to meet everyone!
Tom
Comments
Congratulations hopefully you took some before and after shots that'll really be cool to see especially on a 63. Carl
49 yrs A/P IA DAL A/C inspector. 172N Rotax IRMT 912/914
Hey Carl! Thanks. Yeah we are doing videos of everything we are doing. I was just wondering how to post pics. I can’t get them to load. And… are videos ok on the site. I didn’t post because I didn’t want take a chance on breaking rules on my first day!😎
Hi 1080tommy,
If the images are too large, they will not post. I am not sure of the size cutoff. I use the Preview app on my MacBook and choose 800 x 800 to resize the image and it will post.
Congratulations on the '63 Cherokee 180. Early one for sure, only 1 year after introduction. What engine does it have? The O-360-A3A or O-360-A4A? The type certificate allows either one and the A3A with the hollow crankshaft requires periodic inspection and has an RPM restriction from 2150-2350 RPM. When I had my 1966 Cherokee 180 engine overhauled, I opted for the A4A to remove both the inspections and the RPM restrictions.
Regards,
Mike
Thanks Mike! It's an O-360-A3A. I talked to the mechanic doing the overhaul and he's going to check into the issues with the hollow crank. I was a bit confused because we have a fixed pitch Sensenich prop and the hollow crank supposedly is for the constant speed prop. Not sure what's going to happen, but the engine is getting a full overhaul. He said the engine has been completely disassembled and the parts are going to be sent out. It's been awesome so far. We are also doing a panel upgrade. I'll have some pics and vids. Again, I'm not putting the vids up cuz I'm so new and I do not want to offend anyone or break the forum guidelines. Haven't had the time to really see what those are as I am down in Missouri this week.
Tom
About videos, have seen others posts with links to 'tube content showing-off some plane skin. Just say-in.
New owner here. I am not the pilot "yet". I told my 25yr old son I would partner with him on one. We got a 1965 Cherokee 180. He has roughly 55 hrs in it , and was checking off a few minor things in order to do his check ride, and we discovered a prop strike. It did not kill the engine, and neither my son or his CFI ever remember hitting anything. That being said, we ( the A&P), are in the process of getting the prop off and the engine out to have the IRAN done. It really sucks that he was that close to getting his license, and now the plane is out of commission for 6 months or more.
Depending on TIS of the engine, stay in contact with the IRAN shop. Your insurance is picking up the cost of the Lycoming prop strike AD minimum, and maybe even the IRAN, so if that comes close to an overhaul it may be worth paying the delta for that. That is what our shop does with any prop strikes we assist with.
Tom Jackson
PA28RT-201, N3022U
Tappahannock, VA (KXSA)
A&P/IA, Private Pilot, IR/A
Hi 1080tommy,
Just wondering what the outcome is on the swap from the hollow O-360-A3A to the solid crank O-360-A4A for your Cherokee to avoid the RPM restriction and periodic inspections?
Regards,
Mike
Find my article on prop strikes. There's some good useful information there if you have not seen it. Carl
49 yrs A/P IA DAL A/C inspector. 172N Rotax IRMT 912/914
well, my engine just has about 1375 SMOH so not sure I want to spend the money right now for the total overhaul, unless they find something bad when they open it up.
I do like the idea of making that swap, and will definitely look into that when I have to rebuild it. At this point I am just leaning towards doing the IRAN, as long as everything looks good, and flying it for 600+ more hours until TBO.
thank you, will look that up
Thanks to you guys for the suggestions and info