---------------------------------------------------------- Commander-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 07/13/05: 6 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:17 PM - Simmonds Fuel Pumps (Moe) 2. 06:51 PM - Finished restoration (Chris Schuermann) 3. 06:59 PM - Re: Finished restoration (Randy Dettmer, AIA) 4. 07:27 PM - Re: Finished restoration () 5. 07:33 PM - Re: Finished restoration (RRamm52@cs.com) 6. 08:03 PM - Re: Simmonds Fuel Pumps (CloudCraft@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:17:31 PM PST US From: "Moe" Subject: Commander-List: Simmonds Fuel Pumps --> Commander-List message posted by: "Moe" Gents, After flying N680RR for almost 700 hours I have gone through five Simmonds fuel pumps. One kept going dead rich and would not adjust so it was rebuilt. About ten hours after being rebuilt it developed an internal leak which pumped the gas back into the crankcase and overfilled the oil sump tank. In flight there was no way of knowing what was going on until the oil pressure went low, and I strongly suspect that this is why the crankshaft and rod bearings had abnormal wear at over haul time. Another one wore to the point that it was impossible to get the proper mixture settings on it. Two pumps with about 400 hours have suddenly developed leaks (not just drips) around the shaft that goes in the side of the pump, for the idle cut off. The down time is out of hand, and the overhaul costs are bizarre. Am I the only one with this problem, or is this normal? Moe Mills N680RR 680F(p) ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:51:18 PM PST US From: Chris Schuermann Subject: Commander-List: Finished restoration --> Commander-List message posted by: Chris Schuermann Howdy all. This is "off topic" but thought I'd share with my Commander friends anyway. I've finally finished the total restoration of my twin Piper. It's been quite the project but I'm very pleased with the results. I know an Aztec isn't a Commander but it's a darn fine combination of functionality in an affordable package. I've put a series of pictures up on a web page in case anyone wants to see the fruits of two years of hard labor. http://members.cox.net/cschuerm/ With all the upgrades and improvments, I'm getting right at 170kts true at 5000ft. Pretty respectable for an old blunt fat-wing piper product. cheers Chris Schuermann ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:59:51 PM PST US From: "Randy Dettmer, AIA" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Finished restoration --> Commander-List message posted by: "Randy Dettmer, AIA" Hey Chris, Beautiful airplane..!! I have alot of time in a wonderful old Apache we called the "potato"...because it was "brown and round". I have a soft spot in my heart for that old plane, and your beautiful restoration brings back great memories. You did a gorgeous job...congratulations..!! Randy Dettmer 680F/N6253X -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Chris Schuermann Subject: Commander-List: Finished restoration --> Commander-List message posted by: Chris Schuermann Howdy all. This is "off topic" but thought I'd share with my Commander friends anyway. I've finally finished the total restoration of my twin Piper. It's been quite the project but I'm very pleased with the results. I know an Aztec isn't a Commander but it's a darn fine combination of functionality in an affordable package. I've put a series of pictures up on a web page in case anyone wants to see the fruits of two years of hard labor. http://members.cox.net/cschuerm/ With all the upgrades and improvments, I'm getting right at 170kts true at 5000ft. Pretty respectable for an old blunt fat-wing piper product. cheers Chris Schuermann ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:27:37 PM PST US From: Subject: RE: Commander-List: Finished restoration --> Commander-List message posted by: As the proud owner of a 1957 Apache 150 in addition to a 1970 500S I can truly say what a magnificent restoration on a truly classic airplane. I, too, enjoy the airmanship of flying the "potato" as a respite from flying the "airliner" (500S). In fact this fri. I am leaving for a one week flying adventure to Alaska from Michigan and am taking the Apache instead of the Commander. Again, nice restoration. Don -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Randy Dettmer, AIA Subject: RE: Commander-List: Finished restoration --> Commander-List message posted by: "Randy Dettmer, AIA" Hey Chris, Beautiful airplane..!! I have alot of time in a wonderful old Apache we called the "potato"...because it was "brown and round". I have a soft spot in my heart for that old plane, and your beautiful restoration brings back great memories. You did a gorgeous job...congratulations..!! Randy Dettmer 680F/N6253X -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Chris Schuermann Subject: Commander-List: Finished restoration --> Commander-List message posted by: Chris Schuermann Howdy all. This is "off topic" but thought I'd share with my Commander friends anyway. I've finally finished the total restoration of my twin Piper. It's been quite the project but I'm very pleased with the results. I know an Aztec isn't a Commander but it's a darn fine combination of functionality in an affordable package. I've put a series of pictures up on a web page in case anyone wants to see the fruits of two years of hard labor. http://members.cox.net/cschuerm/ With all the upgrades and improvments, I'm getting right at 170kts true at 5000ft. Pretty respectable for an old blunt fat-wing piper product. cheers Chris Schuermann ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:33:21 PM PST US From: RRamm52@cs.com Subject: Re: Commander-List: Finished restoration --> Commander-List message posted by: RRamm52@cs.com In a message dated 7/13/2005 9:02:28 PM Central Standard Time, rcdettmer@charter.net writes: > http://members.cox.net/cschuerm/ Beautiful job, Chris! Very admirable.... Rob ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 08:03:36 PM PST US From: CloudCraft@aol.com Subject: Re: Commander-List: Simmonds Fuel Pumps --> Commander-List message posted by: CloudCraft@aol.com In a message dated 13-Jul-05 17:18:17 Pacific Daylight Time, moe@rosspistons.com writes: The down time is out of hand, and the overhaul costs are bizarre. Am I the only one with this problem, or is this normal? Moe, You are one of the few operators I know of running the IGSO-540 who flies a bunch. Who did your last overhauls? I sure hope it wasn't Central Cylinder. What is your shutdown procedure, by the way? I hint I taught my 680-F series clients was to turn the engines off via the mag switch instead of pulling the mixtures to idle. As heretical as that is, it does two things: Complies with an AD on certain mag switches to test them every 10 hours and keeps fuel in the Simmonds so the diaphragms don't dry out. Wing Commander Gordon Life is not simple anywhere. Probably less so elsewhere.