Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes need a piece of the front cowling

Probably, but a picture would help.

Geo.

I'll have to take one next time out to the airport.

Well My A&P/IA buddy said that cutting the piece off would definately make it un-airworthy. We aren't sure if we can put an adequate patch on it. Does anyone know where I can find what part number the piece is? Upper nose bowl for 69 C150J. Also, anyone know if cessna still has them?

This is the compound curved front of the top cowl that forms the top of the cooling air opening.

Part Number 0452002-6 CAP NOSE (list $573.00) $487.05 EA

I use Spectrum Aviation in Lexington, Kentucky. Dealer markup is usually around 40% over cost. Spectrum claims to sell everything Cessna @ 10% over their cost, for at least a 20% - 30% savings over anyone else I've checked!

859-255-1902 EXT 23.....or Fax/Email your parts list for a price quote to 859-254-0844. rmaainc@alltel.net

Thanks Carl. We are trying one last thing to see if perhaps we can TIG weld it. This should be interesting to say the least. There are an aweful lot of things for this airplane I would have rather spent ~$500 on. Bummer!

The problem with welding 2024-T3 aluminum (or any heat treated aluminum) is it destroys the heat treating either side of the weld for several inches. It cools too fast and becomes brittle, and the crack just reappears one side or the other of the weld after just a few hours flight time. It can be done, but requires removal so it can be properly heat treated in a large oven to restore its T3 properties. I think in the long run you'd be better off with a backing plate patch/re-enforcement.

The A&P agrees but we spent a good couple of hours trying to bend the sheet metal to fit it right and never got there. The way the crack sits, I can't put much force on the section to bend the sheet metal patch to the contour of the sowling. The crack sits right at the most complex curve on there. I am thinking if he welds it, then I may be able to bend a piece of sheet around it and rivet that in. I don't know. The entire thing is a big pain. I did find a place that will sell me an entire upper cowling for $430. Anyone need the upper cowling sans upper nose bowl?

2024T3 aluminum .032" (what you should be using) isn't that hard to work with. I use a vice with aluminum lined jaws, and clamp the metal along with a round form between the jaws. I use a block of wood (piece of 2x4) and a hammer to form the curve around the form. Anything round and hard enough can be used as a form, like a breaker bar or wooden dowel (broom handle?) long enough to extend past the metal. The form should be slightly smaller in diameter than the nosepiece you're trying to fit. Start out with an oversized piece of aluminum, Work it a little, check the fit, then work it a little more, repeating until it fits the curvature. Then mark and trim the excess metal. Use the AC43.13 and Cessna Maintenance Manual for correct rivet spacing and patch dimensions.