Piper Cherokee cowling swap
Good day all, have a bit of an odd question. On my 1969 Pa -28-140 I am missing the cowlings for it and know originally it had the 3 piece cowl set up. I was wondering if anyone has done or knows if it’s not only possible but legal to install the 180 style of cowlings on it. And if the parts are interchangeable, they do appear to be from what I’ve seen but was curious if anyone has done something like this before.
Thank you all
Comments
I had a similar question years ago. I wanted to swap a late model cowling onto my 1978 PA-28-161.
Back then I was somewhat new to airplane ownership and didn't fully appreciate the FAA rules and regs. My position was they are both certificated parts, and even come from the same manufacturer, so why not?
IA's answer: the parts were approved and certified for a specific airframe model and year. Bottom line, to swap cowlings would require FAA certification.
Look in Trade-a-plane, Barnstormers, eBay, or airplane boneyards. I typed "PA-28-140 cowling" into my search engine and found a bunch including an upper and lower on eBay for $700. I'd seriously consider that one. Edit: he has all kinds of 140 parts for sale.
Jim "Doc Griff" Griffin
PA28 - 161
Chicago area
Officially changes to an engine cowl constitute a major alteration, so you would need some approved data and a 337. If the IPC lists the same P/N's across multiple series (140/150/180/etc) and years, you could pull it off without, but that's typically not the case.
Tom Jackson
PA28RT-201, N3022U
Tappahannock, VA (KXSA)
A&P/IA, Private Pilot, IR/A
I know the engine swap would constitute a 337 and wasn’t sure about the cowlings. So if I’m understanding it correctly I would need to verify the part numbers are interchangeable. Did Piper come out with a list of parts that are interchangeable? I’m looking at the 2 pice cowl In general not specifically ones off a 180 but maybe cowlings from a 150. At the moment I’m missing everything from the engine mount forward. No engine or cowlings came with the aircraft. So a little of a clean slate in that way. Would very much like to get the other style on this aircraft if possible.