Boy am I glad I found this forum! I've been reading a few of the posts and it's clear there is a host of information here. I'm hoping someone can help me out. Recently through a pilot friend I was offered a '67 7KCAB ground looped project. It's been sitting for about 15 years in a hanger. How can I come up with a reasonable value for it? It has damage to both wing tips and had a prop strike. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
7KCAB Project
- Thread starter jmill
- Start date
jmill,
First of all, you'll need to thoroughly check out all four wood spars IAW the AD. Tip strikes are murder on wood spars. It's entirely possible that you'll need 4 new spars, but let's hope not. If you do, you might think about the metal spars.
Secondly, a prop strike, then sitting for 15 years means an engine overhaul. Not only do you need to worry about the possible damage from the prop strike, but sitting unused for that long makes it the perfect rust collector. So, factor in an overhaul, and a new prop or prop overhaul.
Since you'll be recovering both wings you might want to consider uncovering, inspecting and recovering the fuselage at the same time.
Ground loops usually tweak the gear out of alignment at the very least. At most, they can rip the gear out completely. Check the lower fuselage longerons and gear attach points for damage, and the gear for alignment.
But, don't let me discourage you from buying the project. A KCAB is a great aircraft, and a 'freshly rebuilt' KCAB is even better. Doing the majority of the work yourself,(under proper supervision), will be a very rewarding and educational endeavor, and will save you considerable money. Think how much more confidence you will have in a airplane when you've seen it completely naked and know every nut and bolt in it!
My advice, GO FOR IT!!!!!
First of all, you'll need to thoroughly check out all four wood spars IAW the AD. Tip strikes are murder on wood spars. It's entirely possible that you'll need 4 new spars, but let's hope not. If you do, you might think about the metal spars.
Secondly, a prop strike, then sitting for 15 years means an engine overhaul. Not only do you need to worry about the possible damage from the prop strike, but sitting unused for that long makes it the perfect rust collector. So, factor in an overhaul, and a new prop or prop overhaul.
Since you'll be recovering both wings you might want to consider uncovering, inspecting and recovering the fuselage at the same time.
Ground loops usually tweak the gear out of alignment at the very least. At most, they can rip the gear out completely. Check the lower fuselage longerons and gear attach points for damage, and the gear for alignment.
But, don't let me discourage you from buying the project. A KCAB is a great aircraft, and a 'freshly rebuilt' KCAB is even better. Doing the majority of the work yourself,(under proper supervision), will be a very rewarding and educational endeavor, and will save you considerable money. Think how much more confidence you will have in a airplane when you've seen it completely naked and know every nut and bolt in it!
My advice, GO FOR IT!!!!!
Ron86654
New member
jmill
I agree with everything in the above post, except for the metal spars, I am a wood spar fan. You have a lot of research ahead of you.
First, you will want to know what a fair price is for an intact 67 KCAB with similar times. You can find websites that will give you this number.(AOPA has one.)
Second, you will need to research what actual repairs the AC needs. A trusted Mech should be able to make a list after inspecting it. And give you an estimate of the cost and time it will take. As a rule of thumb in Aviation, you can double the cost and triple the time estimates(just kidding, well, maybe not).
Third, you will need to find out how much overhauling the engine and prop(if overhaulable) will cost.
After gathering the above information, you will need to find out how much of the work you are willing and able to do.
After the above research, you will be able to figure what a fair price is for the AC with a 0 time engine and prop.
Ron
I agree with everything in the above post, except for the metal spars, I am a wood spar fan. You have a lot of research ahead of you.
First, you will want to know what a fair price is for an intact 67 KCAB with similar times. You can find websites that will give you this number.(AOPA has one.)
Second, you will need to research what actual repairs the AC needs. A trusted Mech should be able to make a list after inspecting it. And give you an estimate of the cost and time it will take. As a rule of thumb in Aviation, you can double the cost and triple the time estimates(just kidding, well, maybe not).
Third, you will need to find out how much overhauling the engine and prop(if overhaulable) will cost.
After gathering the above information, you will need to find out how much of the work you are willing and able to do.
After the above research, you will be able to figure what a fair price is for the AC with a 0 time engine and prop.
Ron
Thanks for the advice.... you both have given me some things to consider. I have done some work on my 172 and had an A/P sign it off so doing some of the work myself is what I had in mind. I just need someone with the knowledge to show me what needs doing. I tend to like to keep things original so I would prefer the wood spars over the aluminum. I was hoping a total rebuild wouldn't be necessary but sound like that's the best direction to go. A price of $7500 was mentioned at one time. Is that in the ball park? I actually have no idea!
$7500 for a rebuild? That would probably cover the cost of materials and some labor for the wings, but what about that engine. It's goes for about 18 to 20 thousand for a rebuild (not a zero time by the factory) assuming it's an IO-320E2D that's been STC'd to an AEIO-320E2D like the 74 I had.
The unfortunate bottom line is that a late 60's airplane is just not worth the cost of a complete rebuild, even if you can get it for virtually nothing.
I did a nose to tail restore on a 75 ECA. Bought it for 9500 and put a total of 35000 into it with me doing all the labor, about 500 hours worth (and I've done a few) and the only way I made out on it was to operate it at a flight school full time and put 4000 hours on it before selling.
The unfortunate bottom line is that a late 60's airplane is just not worth the cost of a complete rebuild, even if you can get it for virtually nothing.
I did a nose to tail restore on a 75 ECA. Bought it for 9500 and put a total of 35000 into it with me doing all the labor, about 500 hours worth (and I've done a few) and the only way I made out on it was to operate it at a flight school full time and put 4000 hours on it before selling.
Sorry! I guess maybe my mention of $7500 wasn't clear. That was for just rebuilding the wings, not the entire plane. I'm hoping the engine just needs a teardown inspection from the prop strike. Worst case a new top end is all it needs. I have no experience with tailwheel or fabric planes. This is all new to me. Also a full restoration is not what I had in mind. Just to get everything fixed that needs fixed and get the thing in the air is my plan. A very optimistic approach I know, but I'm hoping for the best, yet sort of planning for the worst! We'll see how it goes. I've not torn into it yet! 