7ECA buying tips

D

dreed

New member
Sorry if this is a repost-

I am looking at purchasing a 67 ECA. It has about 2000 total time and had a recent prop strike. It will have a new crank and prop and have the engine completely gone through before the sale.

I have searched through the site and I have found some great information but I would like any more advice that you could all pass along. My grandfather is aquainted with the shop that has done all of the maintenace since the owner purchased it and they have given it good marks.

Are there any major gotchas or areas to look for? also, does $28K sound like a reasonable price given the above and that the fabric/paint/and interior are all in good shape.

Thanks in advance-

Dan
 
Dan:

$28K is a pretty decent deal. If, of course, everything is sound. (Even if it needs some work, it's not a bad price.)

Make certain that the spar AD has been complied with - you also have to get them inspected annually, end to end. Make certain the rib nails are firmly in the spars, also. Fixing wings can get 'spensive.

Have the lift struts been replaced with sealed ones? If not, have them checked for corrosion at the bottom end. A new set runs around $1500, plus a couple hundred more for the forks.

Rust and corrosion in the lower tubes, especially near the tail, can be a problem. This is another expensive fix but a relatively inexpensive test.

The shop that has done the maintenance isn't necessarily the best place for a pre-purchase. In some cases, they may overlook things based upon their own pride. If they've been doing the repairs, then nothing can be wrong with it in their eyes. In some case, just having another, different set of eyes look at it may be helpful. This doesn't apply to every transaction, though, and I don't mean to cast the shop in a bad light. You know them; I don't.

Remember, this bird's approaching 40 years of age. If she's spent time tied outside, there's bound to be some suffering for it. How old is the fabric? Forty years is a long time for that. A recover will cost you $20k if you can't do it yourself. Even if you do it yourself, you'll spend 6-8k and be down for a year. It's a big job!

Have it carefully inspected, have the mechanic also sign it off as an annual and, if he gives the green light, buy it, fly it and enjoy it!

Jon
Champ '57B
 
Can anyone shed light on the pros and cons of the Continental vs. Lycoming 7EC? I am going to start looking for a 7EC and need to know if I should focus on one over the other.

Ed
 
Also, is there some date, model or serial number that divides the wood spar planes from the metal spar ones?

Thanks,
Ed
 
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