[f-AA] Need a spacer

[jfarrelly via aeronca]

The last step in getting my ‘47 Chief back in the air after an overhaul and lots of fuselage repairs is to install the prop with the new backplate and spinner I bought from Ray Johnson.  But it needs a spacer. My mechanic has the drawing and specs from Bill Pancake, but he doesn’t have the time, tools, or expertise to make the part I need.

 

Does anyone have a spacer I can buy? Or is someone with the right skills and tools willing and able to make the part? Or can someone give me the contact information of a reputable shop that can produce the spacer I need – preferably on the West Coast (since I’m in California)?

 

You guys always seem to have the solutions to any Aeronca need or problem.

 

Joe Farrelly

--
fearless Aeronca Aviators mailing list
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aeronca+u...@westmont.edu.

[Mark Peterson]

Any machinist can turn one out.  I got mine from another owner who had him turn two since he was set up for it anyway.

Sent from my iPhone 

On Aug 26, 2025, at 10:20 AM, jfarrelly via aeronca <aer...@westmont.edu> wrote:



['Botijo G' via aeronca]

Spacer becuase it had a starter at one point?

Sent from an NDB

On Aug 26, 2025, at 10:36 AM, Mark Peterson <mrpet...@msn.com> wrote:

 Any machinist can turn one out.  I got mine from another owner who had him turn two since he was set up for it anyway.

[Joe Farrelly]

Yeah. Apparently, the original engines came from the factory with a lawnmower/snowmobile-type rope pull starter (from the cockpit) of some kind and most or all were taken off way back when.

['Botijo G' via aeronca]

Yes the Mc Dowel (or something like that ) safety starter 

Sent from an NDB

On Aug 26, 2025, at 11:45 AM, Joe Farrelly <joe_fa...@hotmail.com> wrote:



[Richard Murray]

I believe I have a spacer laying around. I simply have to recall where I was when I saw it.

Richard in OH who fell asleep after lunch in a chair in his hangar and didn't wake up for a couple of hours.

['Botijo G' via aeronca]

Oh that’s nothing! I was cleaning the belly of my airplane lying down in this extremely comfortable creeper, nice breeze, spray bottle in hand…….so I started to feel really cold and I didn’t know why, I fell to sleep the bottle has leaked entirelly on my chest and when I open my eyes 4 hours later i only could see the white of the belly of the airplane!!!! Wet, cold, no idea where I’m at and I only see white……I thought I was dead!!!

Sent from an NDB

On Aug 26, 2025, at 1:04 PM, Richard Murray <murra...@gmail.com> wrote:



[duan...@gmail.com]

Ahh, to be retired.  I have 673 calendar days left.

 

Duane

’46 Chief, N85981

[Richard Murray]

Found the spacer I remembered, but it is for the large flange crank. It measured 0.372 thick 

['Joseph Farrelly' via aeronca]

That would be so cool if you can find it!

--
Sent with mail.com Mail app

[Richard Murray]

The one I found is for a larger flange and measures 0.372 inches thick

[jfarrelly via aeronca]

This is what my mechanic got from Bill Pancake:

[j...@joea.com]

Ok Joe,

My guy got back to me and he is able to do this spacer for you.

Price is: $330 for one, and I believe $175 for additional pieces.

I asked him about "as long as you are making one, how about multiple" so the price would
come down if we had several people interested.

Please let me know yes or no.

Thanks,

Joe Abrahamson
j...@joea.com
602 418 5642

On 25 Aug 2025 at 14:35, jfarrelly via aeronca wrote:

>
> The last step in getting my `47 Chief back in the air after an overhaul and lots of
> fuselage repairs is to install the prop with the new backplate and spinner I bought from
> Ray Johnson. But it needs a spacer. My mechanic has the drawing and specs from Bill
> Pancake, but he doesn´t have the time, tools, or expertise to make the part I need.
>
> Does anyone have a spacer I can buy? Or is someone with the right skills and tools
> willing and able to make the part? Or can someone give me the contact information of a

> reputable shop that can produce the spacer I need - preferably on the West Coast

[Mark Peterson]

I paid $150 for mine after a couple were made back in 2010 or so.


Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 3, 2025, at 11:03 AM, j...@joea.com wrote:
>
> Ok Joe,

[Rick]

Send me a print and I’ll see if I can do better.


Thanks, Rick Dover
Sent from iPhone

> On Sep 3, 2025, at 2:43 PM, Mark Peterson <mrpet...@msn.com> wrote:
>
> I paid $150 for mine after a couple were made back in 2010 or so.

[jfarrelly via aeronca]

Here it is

-----Original Message-----
From: aer...@westmont.edu <aer...@westmont.edu> On Behalf Of Rick
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 9:54 AM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: Re: [f-AA] Need a spacer

[duan...@gmail.com]

Thanks, you already sent it and I found the original in PDF format in my blueprints folder.

I'm working on it.

Duane

[Rick]

Will 6061 material work?

Thanks, Rick Dover
Sent from iPhone

> On Sep 4, 2025, at 1:12 PM, duan...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Thanks, you already sent it and I found the original in PDF format in my blueprints folder.

[jfarrelly via aeronca]

I have no idea. Anyone?

[j...@joea.com]

The original blueprint from the Aeronca factory that was posted gives
the specs for the material needed.

Using anything else is the beginning of an experiment.

Joe A

['Botijo G' via aeronca]

Can only reproduce using original or better materials. If the number is old then there are tables to modern equivalent
Sent from an NDB

> On Sep 4, 2025, at 3:39 PM, j...@joea.com wrote:
>
> The original blueprint from the Aeronca factory that was posted gives the specs for the material needed.

[Rick]

Found supplier for material. I’ll be back at my facility on Monday to look at pricing.

Thanks, Rick Dover
Sent from iPhone

> On Sep 4, 2025, at 6:48 PM, 'Botijo G' via aeronca <aer...@westmont.edu> wrote:
>
> Can only reproduce using original or better materials. If the number is old then there are tables to modern equivalent

[jfarrelly via aeronca]

Any word?
Joe

[Rick]

I did the numbers, $280 plus shipping is the best we can do.

Thanks, Rick Dover
Sent from iPhone

> On Sep 9, 2025, at 3:04 PM, jfarrelly via aeronca <aer...@westmont.edu> wrote:
>
> Any word?

[jfarrelly via aeronca]

I'll let you know after I check out Duane's option. Thanks.

[Rick]

No hurry, the offer stands. This seems expensive but I double checked the numbers and cost of materials.

Thanks, Rick Dover
Sent from iPhone

> On Sep 11, 2025, at 5:35 PM, jfarrelly via aeronca <aer...@westmont.edu> wrote:
>
> I'll let you know after I check out Duane's option. Thanks.

[Duane Fey]

Hi Rick,

What metal are you using for the spacer?

Thanks,

Duane
‘46 Chief, N85981

On Sep 11, 2025, at 17:41, Rick <rdo...@mmr-inc.net> wrote:

No hurry, the offer stands. This seems expensive but I double checked the numbers and cost of materials.

[Rick]

Duane

2024 aluminum. Temper T351, cold drawn, heat treated, brenill 120.

This is the closest I can find in modern aluminum.

Thanks, Rick Dover
Sent from iPhone

> On Sep 11, 2025, at 9:54 PM, Duane Fey <duan...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Rick,

['RALEIGH RASMUSSEN' via aeronca]

The original material was a similar alloy (24ST) but was "Alclad" meaning that both sides of the sheet had a thin layer of pure aluminum added for corrosion resistance. Bare 2024 aluminum is quite prone to corrosion, especially where it is contact with the cad-plated crankshaft flange. At a minimum the new spacer should be anodized or alodined for corrosion protection. Just a thought.

[Rick]

Sounds like an excellent idea. I had not thought of that. I’m no sure how to alodine it, I can check on anodize them.

Thanks, Rick Dover
Sent from iPhone

> On Sep 13, 2025, at 12:42 PM, 'RALEIGH RASMUSSEN' via aeronca <aer...@westmont.edu> wrote:
>
> The original material was a similar alloy (24ST) but was "Alclad" meaning that both sides of the sheet had a thin layer of pure aluminum added for corrosion resistance. Bare 2024 aluminum is quite prone to corrosion, especially where it is contact with the cad-plated crankshaft flange. At a minimum the new spacer should be anodized or alodined for corrosion protection. Just a thought.

[Richard Murray]

Alodine is easy.  Clean, rinse, Alodine, rinse, done

[Rick]

Richard 

It’s does look easy, but dang the chemicals to clean and alodine are $$$. 

Thanks, Rick Dover 

Sent from iPhone

On Sep 13, 2025, at 10:33 PM, Richard Murray <murra...@gmail.com> wrote:



[Richard Murray]

Any good aviation shop should have all they need to Alodine the piece. 

Ask what they would charge to do it for you.