Oil Door Pin Between the Two Hartwell Latches

Derek Lawless

Derek Lawless

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Joined
Dec 24, 2024
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Location
Fishers, IN
I seem to have lost whatever was installed as a pin between the two latches on the oil door of a 2001 GCAA. I’ve temporarily installed a floating nut and screw but would prefer to not have to get the screwdriver out to check the oil. ACA no longer makes the part nor do they have any info on what it looked like. Anyone have a picture or a novel solution?IMG_6089.webp
 
Agree - mine has a 1/4-20 bolt. Seems like there ought to be a more elegant way. We have a 2003 on the field - maybe ACA had a better solution by then?
 
Yeah, trick.

You have heard the ethnic joke about why they only allow a ten minute break instead of lunch?

I swear - figuring out and installing quarter turn fasteners is the singular most difficult thing in aircraft restoration. Two years ago I was an expert - re-doing a Cub Crafters cowl.

Now I don't know the difference between Southco and Camlok. Let alone the dash numbers. Get help from an expert.

Also - there is an installation tool that is almost essential.
 
Took me 30 minutes, a man of your talent probably less. After dropping the Phillips head screw, at night, in the rain, on gravel. Never again.

Tried flying without the screw, flap was lifting uncomfortably.


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Mtrask77 said:
I replaced the screw with a 10-32 x 1/2” thumbscrew. Looks ugly but now it is at least tool-less.


Has anyone ever tried just flying without the screw? Does the door really not stay closed?
Click to expand...
Pops open almost instantly. Great first tailwheel lesson with a student.
 
Bob Turner said:
Yeah, trick.

You have heard the ethnic joke about why they only allow a ten minute break instead of lunch?

I swear - figuring out and installing quarter turn fasteners is the singular most difficult thing in aircraft restoration. Two years ago I was an expert - re-doing a Cub Crafters cowl.

Now I don't know the difference between Southco and Camlok. Let alone the dash numbers. Get help from an expert.

Also - there is an installation tool that is almost essential.
Click to expand...
I don’t see a problem 🙈

To select the proper length stud, first select the grommet, for example 4002-G. Next, select the receptacle, such as 214-16. After determining the total grip thickness, use the grommet column under which the selected grommet and receptacle appear. Use the dash number which appears opposite the determined total grip thickness.

Example: If the total determined grip thickness “G” was. 144, the stud dash number for the above 4002-G grommet and 214-16 receptacle would be -4. The stud part number would be 4002-4.
 
I knew all that at one point. And yes, once the correct parts are in hand, installation is semi-trivial. Those numbers are now meaningless to me.

Do that analysis for the oil door, and specify the brand of fastener, and 90% of the work is done. Don't expect that the parts sre cheap.

And yeah, the door will fly open without the extra fastener. The 2003 bird has a quarter-turn winged.
 
Bob Turner said:
I knew all that at one point. And yes, once the correct parts are in hand, installation is semi-trivial. Those numbers are now meaningless to me.

Do that analysis for the oil door, and specify the brand of fastener, and 90% of the work is done. Don't expect that the parts sre cheap.

And yeah, the door will fly open without the extra fastener. The 2003 bird has a quarter-turn winged.
Click to expand...
My sarcasm didn’t translate well. Those instructions are ridiculous.
 
Thanks. I did misinterpret. Yes, it is doable, but the effort to understand the problem is more than five years worth of unscrewing a 10-32 screw.

And now that we mentioned it I bet I can buy a winged bolt so that I don't need the 7/16 wrench every time I go flying.

www.zoro.com

Zoro Select Thumb Screw, 1/4"-20 Thread Size, Wing, Zinc Plated Iron, 13/16 in Head Ht, 3/4 in Lg, 25 PK 1-CDJ-02-17- | Zoro

Order Zoro Select Thumb Screw, 1/4"-20 Thread Size, Wing, Zinc Plated Iron, 13/16 in Head Ht, 3/4 in Lg, 25 PK, 1-CDJ-02-17- at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.
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One is under four bucks, but I bet shipping is ten!
 
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