General Skymaster Info & Tips For Buyers

[Shalimar]

I am the proud owner of P3370196, my second 337 the first was a 65 s/n0028. I am also an A&P/IA and do as much of my own work as I can. The earlier comments on performance are right on, my numbers are close to what was reported. You do need to treat the engines properly including cool down and proper application of power.
The airplane is very difficult to work on. It has numerous systems all crammed into a tiny space so systems must be removed to get at other components needing maintenance. Pressurization brings a whole new level of care requirement when penetrating the pressure bulkhead. Having said that the system itself is pretty much maintenance free. Vibration remains a concern on all Skymasters. Check the rear spinner bulkhead and rear cowling and baffles for cracking. For some obscure reason, Cessna riveted the center floor board access panel on the later models replacing the screwed on system on the earlier aircraft. This add a whole new challenge to routing wires, or even inspecting the landing gear hydraulics. I replaced the rivets with nut plates and screws on an FAA field approval.

A key point which has been made earlier is that all Skymasters are cheap to buy but expensive and time consuming to maintain. A low first cost may mean that the aircraft was not well taken care of. Better to pay a little more and get one that has been taken care of.

Still love the airplane and would (or will) do it again.

[hharney]

Since installing the MT composite props 6 years ago (can't believe I have had them that long) I have notice a significant decrease in vibration related issues. Rear muffler is a good example, I normally figured at least every other annual to repair cracks. I have had none since the MT's. The composite material (primarily beechwood) absorbs the vibrations caused from those lovely Continental engines. With the aluminum blades this vibration is just amplified. Great article on composite props in the new Aviation Consumer. So my suggestion is to balance things to a more extreme measure as much as possible. During engine overhauls or prop overhauls balance is the key. I would have to think that for the P and Turbo models with more exhaust stuff it would be even more important. Bottom line, composite props should be a legitimate option if it comes up on your aircraft. You have to do both front and rear at the same time and that may be a show stopper for most to swallow.

[Shalimar]

Excellent recommendation on the MT Props. For me, however according to the MT website, they are only STC'd through the F model. The later G's and H's are not yet approved under the STC. Since I fly a P337H it doesn't work just yet.
In any case, for anyone doing a pre-buy on any 337, I would suggest checking the rear cowling, engine baffling, spinner and spinner bulkhead for vibration related fatigue cracking. The spinner bulkheads are costly to replace and hard to find. On my earlier 337 (s/n0028) I replaced the rear spinner bulkhead twice due to cracking, I used to joke that i burn 20 gph and get 400 hours per spinner bulkhead.

[hharney]

As far as I know the MT's are now approved for the later model (G&H). Not sure why MT does not indicate this on the website. I know of one G model aircraft with MT's.

[skymstr02]

Yes, MT's are STC'd for the full 337 line, here is a link to the STC:

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Gu...2?OpenDocument

Application Date:
12/01/1999

Status:
Amended, 05/16/2006

Responsible Office:
ACE-115A Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office Tel: (404) 474-5500

TC Number -- Make -- Model:
A2CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 336
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337A
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337B
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337C
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337D
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337E
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337F
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337G
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 337H
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- M337B

APPLICABLE MODELS: Model Number
Serial Numbers
336
633,636, 336-001 through 336-0195
337
337-0002 through 337-0239
337A (USAF 02B)
337-0240 through 337-0525 (except 337-0306 & 337-0470)
337B
337-0001, 337-0470, 337-0526 through 337-0755 (except 337-0569)
337C
337-0756 through 337-0978
337D
337-0979 through 337-1193
M337B (USAF 02A)
337-M0001 through 337-M0476
337E
33701194 through 33701316
337F
33701317 through 33701462 and 33700306 (except 33701449)
337G
33701463 through 33701815 and 33701449
337H
33701816 through 33701950 (except 33701920 and 33701923 through 33701927)

Folks, I'm back like a bad cold sore . . . just can't get rid of me.

I'm in the midst of getting the old girl back in the air, and need a starter for the front engine on my 1966 337A. I did a message search for "starter" and only found a discussion from 2002 about Lamar starters. Obviously, a lot has changed since then.

Does anyone have any recent experience replacing a starter on these birds and whether the light weight starters are a viable option these days, and if so, which one(s)?

Thanks,

Keven
________
Herbal vaporizers

[Shalimar]

Is the starter missing or is it non-functioning? If it doesn't work then I would send it out for overhaul. If it is missing then I would look at Sky-Tec light weight starters. I had one on my 65 337 rear engine and it worked well. I believe that the model number that you want is a C24ST5, Aircraft Spruce has them for $567.00. A couple of other thoughts: Sacramento Sky Ranch has some interesting comments on the light weight starter. Apparently they don't work well for repetitive starts (20 or more per day). Also, with a light weight starter you cannot rotate the prop backwards. I would recommend staying away from Kelly Aerospace starters (or any Kelly product for that matter) Perhaps others on this site can comment otherwise, but my experience with Kelly stuff has not been great.
Good Luck and get this back in the air!