200 HP Fuel Injected "Pre-201" Type Mooneys

This section our Hangar Talk Forums is primarily intended for owners and enthusiasts of earlier vintage 200 HP Fuel Injected "pre-201" type Mooneys such as M20E (Super 21's) & F's (Executive's), it may contain select postings applicable to other similar vintage models as well.
Because many member/owner comments or contributions are of interest and valuable to most all Mooney owners, the moderators may place select contributions received from members in other sections

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:  James Edward Malters wrote:
I have 1965 M20E. Can you do a new panel for this aircraft. I note in your materials that you discuss new panels for aircraft from 1970 on. Please advise.
jmalters@rconnect.com
Forum Moderators: Installing new instrument panels in Mooneys (or any G/A Aircraft) is amazingly labor intensive and expensive. Many shops and/or avionics shops have attempted them and lost lots of money and/or clients good will in the process. We probably did the very first entire panel up-grade to M20J standards with the Mod Squad while in St. Louis and we used all OEM Factory components. Remember, the stock factory panel is/was rated as "The Best" by most aviation press in the late '70's and early '80's and not much has changed since then. We see little reason to explore exotic composites and F/Glass components when simple and serviceable Mooney Factory panels are in existance and comparatively in-expensive. Why invent a better mousetrap when the existing one has been winning awards and kudo's from everyone?
See our "Modification Section" for more details and photos of OEM Factory panel installs. Also, there is a far less expensive "½ Panel Mod" which replaces the Flight Group Panel with a more modern appeal and allows for several more instruments.

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
Note: The following is a part order from our facility, but is included here to emphasize the point that you should almost never re-install "stock" aluminum belly panels when doing a "gear-up" repair. Also, always check with a Mooney Mod expert when considering doing any major insurance or damage repairs as to how newer production parts may be installed rather than returning back to service a "older vintage stock" airframe of lesser value and flying attributes.
Subject: Gear Up Replacement Parts
From: John Mark
Dear Sir,
I run an fbo in Zimbabwe and urgently require the following spares. The following spares are required for a wheels up landing. Please supply a pro forma invoice delivered to to Jade Aviation by return e-mail. Quote should include shipping to Harare Zimbabwe. Tagged serviceable items are acceptable.
2X 916002 Spring
2X 560009 Bungee Cylinder
2X 340117-17 Tube
2X AN3-13 Bolt
1X 550032-3 Door Nose L H
1X 550032-5 Door Nose R H
1X 915019 Tube
1X 550030 Bracket
1X 550031 Bracket
N. Van Deventer, Managing Director
Forum Moderators: We would be more than happy to supply the parts as you requested, but strongly recommend you consider installing the current production OEM Factory On Piece F/Glass Belly Pan Mod as per our "Modification" and "Maintenance" Section on our Web Site. In specific, suggest you see our "Don't be a Sad Eyed Mooniac" comments in our Maintenance Section and then re-contact me (hopefully) with instructions on sending you our STC'd F/Glass Belly Mod which will add value, replace your older and damaged components, and go a long way to erasing the stigma of a GUY! Ed Notes: He did re-consider and we shipped a complete FAYE Belly Mod Kit! See the next posting for more F/Glass Belly Q&A's


Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
I am extremely interested in your one piece belly skin mod for my Mooney. Please fax me the basic information on your kit, ie., price, delivery and installation man-hours etc. I am also interested in receiving your Mooney Buyers Kit.
John Samians
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Forum Moderators: The One Piece F/Glass Belly mod you speak of is a great mod offering increased cruise and rate of climb, besides a much easier annual. It also provides for greater belly innards access to inspect and lube the various gear and flight control components. I advise you to read more about it in our "Modifications" section. The usual cost installed is under $5,000 and it adds substantially to re-sale value.
Our STC'd kit is all Mooney Factory components and is not to be confused with "look a-like" but flimsy PMA belly pans or those with protruding runners or strakes. We believe in keeping your Mooney "All Mooney" as much as you can to protect your re-sale value and serviceability later on.

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
Subject: manual to electric gear
From: catkins@musiccity.net (Clay Atkins)
Is it possible to convert a manual gear to electric on a 65 M20E?
clay atkins
Forum Moderators: Manual gear Mooney can be converted, but Mooney hasn't sold a true complete "conversion kit" in years. The last one they sold was with an old style Dukes motor/transmission etc. and our guess is that they would have to generate the "paperwork" as well as the parts. Cost could approach $7-9K or more using all new parts. The most economical way is to find boneyard parts and carefully gut an electric fuselage along with all the wires, switches, C/brakers, etc. and then have same installed by someone who knows exactly what he is doing and (repeat AND) done similar before. Collapsing gear is expensive and common in such mods.
There at several other options/details such as a "manual power assist" etc. Also, manual gear Mooney are far simpler to install inner gear door mods on than electric. CAll ME DIRECTLY FOR MORE DETAILS----COY

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
Subject: prop grease
From: arthur m. elliott
I would like to know the correct grease for the hartzell prop. Is it Aeroshell 5, 6, or 7? Thanks, Art M20F
Forum Moderators: There is little (or nearly no) heat generated in the prop hub, and water intrusion and/or corrosion is by far the biggest problem. For a while the thinner Aeroshell 6 was used, but now they recommend the thicker Aeroshell 5 is recommended especially for hotter climates. We recommend a superior anti-corrosion grease such as 5, but ("un- officially", of course) have heard of high quality (super sticky) OMC, Lubrimatic, or Mercruser etc., Marine Formula Anti-Corrosion grease for marine outdrive or wheel bearings being used for Mooneys which sit outside.

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
Subject: Fuel tank repairs
From: Mark Miller
In the past, I have always been able to purchase the materials I need to patch a leak I have in my right fuel tank on my 1965 M20C. This is starting to turn into an annual event an I'm considering completely stripping away the old material and refurbishing the tank. Is there a kit available with all the materials necessary to reseal mooney tanks? Just wondering.
Thanks in advance for your response. Mark Miller
Forum Moderators: The "kit" you mentioned is actually made up of several components which we (and several other Mooney Service Centers) usually stock. Make sure the components are "fresh" and being kept in cold storage from your source prior to your receiving them, however.
Since each Mooney tank problem can be different, we need some one on one conversation to see how much of which component you need. Usually, it is best to get enough the first time. If done properly, fuel tank "repairs" make $ense and are well worth the effort.
Again, we strongly recommend you enlist the help of an experienced fueltankologiest either on the phone or in person prior to tackling such a chore. If not, doing so can be like sentenced to purgatory with rubber gloves and nasty smelling stuff all over you while recuperating from a sprained neck.

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
From: RIDPATHAIR@aol.com To: Hangar Talk Forum
Date: Friday, September 18, 1998 2:05 PM
Subject: instument panel
I thought I would find info on your ½ Panel Mod upgrade on your website.  If it's there,tell me how to get it on screen.  Otherwise email info & pics of the "half-panel" Coy told me about on the phone the other day.  What I'm interested in is an STC'd kit for a '68-C to have my avionics shop install, plus cost, etc.............Thanks
Forum Moderators: The ½ Panel Mod you speak of is probably the shock mounted aluminum panel that several Mod Shops market for the flight group panel in front of the pilot. Lake Aero is one who sells a 9 hole panel which (with some modification) will usually bolt in most pre-201 panels. It is an improvment over the old "shotgun" design panel, but is not easy to install and make look good at the same time. It usually envolves installing post or outline instrument panel lighting and changaing the right side to an exposed (or Royalite-less) style panel to match.
Installed prices usually run from $1,500 to $2,000.

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
Subject: Voltage regulator & Oshkosh From: John Kapitan
I have a 1975 m20f ser# 22-1218 and am looking for a direct replacement solid state voltage regulator. The current one is MW-VR415F it was purchased from Coy but when he was at "the other place" Was also wondering if you be in Oshkosh? Was wanting to talk to you there about redoing my mooney inside and out plus mods. Thanks John C, Kapitan Jr. mooney@capital.net
Forum Moderators: John, Zephtronics is now making solid state voltage regulators for most 12V Mooneys. We stock same, call for details and/or see our "Maintenance Section" on our Web Site. Our experience with them is good. Also, read the Battery and Accessory Section Intro in our Mooney Bro's Outfitters Catalogue for more details as to why G/A aircraft seem to have more frequent alt/reg/batt failures than autos. You will find it interesting. Also, I have written a recent article in AVIATION CONSUMER Mag on the same subject including the new rage; "Pulse Battery Charging". See it for more details.

Hangar Talk Member Notice/Posting:
Subject: Tail hold down
From: arthur m. elliott
To: Coy@mooneymart.com I would like to know how much weight is necessary to hold the tail down on a M20F with wing jacks in place to get the nose off the ground for a retract test during an annual. I am planning on making one out of cement in a tub on casters but don't want to go overboard with the weight. regards,
Art
Forum Moderators: Art, Mooney doesn't recommend holding down a tail w/weights. I have seen it done, and it seems that somewhat over 2-300 lbs will do the trick. Usually, about ½ or less of a 55 gal drum filled w/concrete is enough. I have seen some tail weights made of about a third of a drum on rollers.
We don't use a weight but use prop jacks. My experience is that it takes nearly all of, if not more than my weight to hold a tail down (200+) as I have tried it myself by throwing my body weight on a tail when a F is on jacks. Not to be a smarty, but why not jack one up and then go to the tail fuselage/dorsal fin area and hold one down to see for yourself? My guess is 350 lbs. My recommendation is a "prop stand" rather than a weight anyway, like Mooney recommends in their SM. Coy
Follow-UP
Subject: Re: tail hold down,
Thanks Coy.
How much are the prop stands and where is the source? do you have to remove the spinner to use the stand? not able to really get on top of the tail cone as the speed faring is in the way and i don't have any 350# friends. seems that you still have to get the nose wheel off the ground before installing the prop stand and then jack up the wings. just trying to keep it simple and the cost down. regards,
Art
Forum Moderators: Art, check T-A-Plane for commercial mfg.'d prop jack/stands etc. Or you can make one yourself. Remember, if your Mooney falls, it will cost far more than the cost of several jacks etc. Be smart....... Coy PS: Like our new Web Site? http://www.mooneymart.com

The Hangar Talk Moderators welcome all members to post Q&A's as well as relate your flying, "care & feeding" Mooney related comments on 200 hp "Pre-201" Type Mooneys in this section. Beginning Fall of 1998 in this section is filling with interesting notices which you should check back and refer to often.
Thank You.