68 7KCAB project

[theluch]

The good:
Hangared as far back as I know, it shows.
I have all the logbooks and records since new.
1996 ACA metal wings, tanks, ailerons and spades - 9/10
VG kit
fabric and paint on fuse and wings 9/10
interior 8/10
excellent glass and greenhouse
Bruces covers canopy cover
Hooker harness
ADSB out via Uavionix
new AV-30
KLX-135A GPS/COMM
TRT-250 with mode c just serviced and a spare one also just serviced.
new GT-50
Sigtronics 2 place ICS


The Bad:
Airplane went up on the nose, prop strike. Not a ground loop, no damage to wings or side loads on fuselage or tail.
Noted damage as follows:
Spinner
prop
lower cowl crack but appears fixable, boot cowl is not bent but is loose.
engine sudden stoppage applies
Engine is approx 950 SMOH from Pacific Continental Engines, engine has good compression and turns freely.
front of wheel pants are scratched and need repair
tailwheel and springs need replaced
bottom of rudder bent from tail coming back down on tailwheel.
does not appear to me that there is any tube damage, a couple mechanics say they would want to put it on a jig just to be sure, a couple others looked at it and say they don't think theres any damage and no need to go that far. Here are a few pictures, if you would like more please contact me.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested and we can have a call and discuss it, I can tell you what happened in detail and if your are interested you can make an offer.

 

[Bob Turner]

Your insurer won’t fix it?

 

[theluch]

It's a matter of insurance money Vs. cost to fix it and wether I can put in the extra money. It's looking like financially I may have no other choice than selling it.

 

[darrell whitley]

hmmmm. I would think it would be incumbent on the insurance co to make u whole. Either fix or total it.

 

[theluch]

Yes exactly. But they will only fix it if it doesn’t exceed a certain percentage of the insured value then they total it. The total number doesn’t cover what I have in it so my choice was to accept the total or the other option is accept the total minus salvage value. I took the latter thinking it would be enough to fix it but increasingly it’s looking like it’s not. So I can put more money in or sell the parts and cut my losses. That’s where I’m at. If I had a crystal ball I would have insured it for more, but that’s a whole other discussion. If I had the time, skills and certifications to do the work myself that would be an easy decision, so I’m thinking maybe that would be a good option for someone that can.

 

[Bartman]

it's very tempting, a newly restored 7KCAB or GCAA would be about all I'd need

 

[theluch]

I really want to see this airplane fly again. Honestly, if I can find a shop that 1. can do it in a reasonable time frame. 2. can give me a budget that is pretty concrete so I know what I am getting into and won't ballon into a crazy amount I would fix it and obviously do it right. I am going to have the wings removed and then trailer it home to my hangar here and figure out what to do from there. Anyway, musings of a tortured airplane owner!

 

[darrell whitley]

Got it.

 

[darrell whitley]

Show it to my friend Jimmie Baker in hallettsville, tx. He might take it on. Might cost ya though transporting it to him.

 

[Bob Turner]

I don't know what the engine disassembly will cost, but you do not have to overhaul it - just check the crank and gears. A prop is probably $20 grand these days, and the rudder can be fixed. Tailsprings - surely under a hundred? I just gave away a set. So let's say thirty total - surely your insurance company gave you that?

 

[theluch]

Engine tear down and inspection is 15k if nothing is wrong. I was advised that there is a good chance the crank is bent and if so a new one is about 9k. I’ve informed by a couple of people with similar experiences that I should budget no less than 30k just for the engine. Also remember I can’t do the work myself so I have to hire a shop. I’ve gotten two estimates from nearby shops in the 60k range. Also, ACA was 60k not including the engine but they were just going off pictures and my description of the damage, but they wanted to strip the whole airplane and jig it, just in case which most shops I speak with think is excessive and not at all warranted.

 

[william@willkrisservices.]

How much do you want for the plane