Cowl Flap Motor

Kelly Greene · #1 02-11-10, 07:13 PM

Looking for cowl flap motor for rear engine on a '75 T337G.
Thanks, Kelly 208-683-7676

hharney · #2 02-11-10, 07:44 PM

Hey Kelly

Have you checked with Don Nieser? Commodore Aerospace

6221 Commodore Lane OKC, OK 73162-6814

Phone: 405.722.4079 Cell: 405.503.4686

nieser.02.337parts@juno.com

How's North Idaho these days? I was born and raised in Twin Falls down south. Hope to see you at Sun N' Fun.

Kelly Greene · #3 02-11-10, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the reply! I'll contact them tomorrow. Things in North Idaho are well except for not much snow. Flew just shy of Canada yesterday checking snow levels in the mtns. and was disappointed. Not much chance of making up the shortage now. Have not been to Sun 'n Fun for about eight years. Got into antler shed hunting and of course that coinsides right with Sun n' Fun.

Talley Ho,
Kg

hharney · #4 02-19-10, 07:12 PM

Here is another source for cowl flap motors:

http://www.aviationenterprises.us/Pa...lapmotors.html

Kelly Greene · #5 02-22-10, 01:55 PM

Thanks much

!

Mark Hislop · #6 02-22-10, 09:27 PM

Kelly:

Do you have a bad motor? This guy completely rebuilt mine for under $400.

RLB Accessory Service
FAA Station KB2R946K
971 N Babbitt Avenue
Addison, IL 60101

630-543-9213 630-543-9213

The owner is Bob Bena (pronounced Benya). He runs his business out of the basement of his house, but he's been doing it for 40 years, and he does spectacular work.

Skymaster337B · #7 02-23-10, 02:09 AM

What is he actually fixing to overhaul the motors? Just the brushes?

Mark Hislop · #8 02-23-10, 09:24 AM

He can totally overhaul the cowl flap motor, including rewinding the armature, replacing the brushes, replacing the bearings, and lubricating the planetary gears. He did my front cowl flap motor last year, and it works perfectly. I think it was $375, but it may have been $475. I had found another place in California that would do it for $800. My only other choice was to buy one for $2,000 or more.

Kelly Greene · #9 02-23-10, 07:42 PM

Thanks much! I just got of the phone with Bob and explained to him that the motor had been taken apart and that broken gears were found. He said, "No problem, send it in I can take care of it." That's what I like to hear!
Thanks again for the contact.

Kg

Kelly Greene · #10 07-13-10, 08:13 PM

Cowl Flap Follow-up: It's a sad and long story but I sent in my cowl flap motor to RLB Accessory Service in Illionois back in Feb. I still have yet to get it returned. On the phone the guy is really nice and polite but always has an excuse and after numerous calls (maybe a dozen) he's yet to follow through with one promise. I called him back in June and he said it was finished and he'd ship it out to me that day or the next... Nothing after 3 weeks. I called yesterday and he said he'd shipped it to the wrong guy and that he was waiting to get it back. Five months is a little long in turn around time. This guy is a real quack and people need to know!

edasmus · #11 12-04-10, 11:30 AM

Kelly, did you ever get this issue resolved? My front cowl flap motor is in need of service. Mark, is your front cowl flap motor still working? Are you still satisfied? My plane is based at ARR near Chicago as is Mark's and Mr. Bena is a short drive from here. I am wondering if I should contact this gentleman or not. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ed Asmus N1873M

Mark Hislop · #12 12-04-10, 04:38 PM

Ed:

My cowl flap motor is still running perfectly. I hadn't realized how slow it had gotten until I had it repaired.

I read Kelly's problem. I don't know what to say. My motor was repaired well, and done within a few days. I have had other items repaired or rebuild by Bob Bena, including the fuel spider on my front engine (it kept dripping) and my mags. Many people on our field have used him for mags and prop governors, and as far as I know have all been happy. Tom Carr of CPA called Bob Bena after I posted my "find" and chlecked him out. Tom sent me an email from which I gathered that Tom was impressed with Bob's capabilities. He even told me that Bob could rewind the motors.

If I have need of a repair that Bob can do, I still fee confident in his work.

edasmus · #13 12-04-10, 06:34 PM

Thanks Mark...

I will call Mr. Bena on Monday and I will give feedback to the forum on how it goes. I am hoping for the same success that you had.

Ed

Kelly Greene · #14 12-06-10, 12:55 PM

Hi Ed,

I finally got my cowl motor back after six months from RLB Accessory Service in Addison, IL in August. It was inititially sent in Feb. This guy put me off at least a dozen times with empty promises that it would be shipped "next week". The final fix cost was around $450.

Take care,
Kelly

edasmus · #15 12-06-10, 08:40 PM

Thanks Kelly,

Turns out I spoke with a few other folks at my home airport and they all spoke well of Mr. Bena including my regular shop that I use for maintenance. They have used him many times over the years with good success. The guys at my regular shop also have heard that his health has been ailing the past several months. I cannot say with any certainty, but my guess would be that probably had something to do with your experience with his service. Hopefully your cowl flap works and hopefully his health improves. Thanks for your response!

Ed