PA-30 Quick Drains

[Charles Schefer]

While I have the engines totally de-cowled for the alternator upgrade it seems a good time to do an oil change since I'm only 10hrs away from it being due anyway. I'd like to add quick drains. I know most folks have done this already but mine does not have them (yet). I know clearance is tight between the sump drain and the bottom of the cowl. I search of Aircraft Spruce reveals 100s of types of quick drains. I will call Webco but I wondered if anyone knew the exact type / model to use for the IO-320B1A on the PA-30B.

Thanks,

- Charles

[Kristin Winter]

saf-air F50

[Charles Schefer]

[N3322G]

Charles,

I have used the Saf-Air quick drains but they consistently form a few drops of seepage. After three sets and numerous o-rings and a cap and they were still wet at oil change and sometimes dripped down the underside of the cowl, I went back to the Curtiss quick drains from Spruce. Haven't had the first oil change yet to look to see if there is any seepage.

Had the curtiss quick drains prior to engine O/H and they were always dry at oil change - have been trying to get back to that point for a long time now.

[Charles Schefer]

Thanks Pat. I just just decided to hold off on the SAF-AIR drains because they appear to be about $100 per drain and doing the alternator upgrade right now I think I'm spending enough. Can't drive the wife too crazy with the airplane spending all at once. I had noticed the curtis drains are cheaper and am interested to hear what you say about seepage. We have a drain on the Cirrus (looks like a Curtis but don't know for sure) and it does not seep. Which model of Curtis do you have do you know? I think the issue is clearance to the cowl underneath...

Thanks,

- Charles

[N3322G]

Charles,

Somewhere in my office is the answer to that question - sequential search is sooo time consuming - it will be days or weeks before I get back to you on this.

[Charles Schefer]

Take your time Pat. I've already decided it will wait til the next oil change (not this one). Take a month or two...

Thanks,

- Charles

[Hans Bok]

Charles,

My PA-30 has the Curtis valves on it and have not had any leakage issues. I believe it is part number CCA-1700.

Hans

[Charles Schefer]

Thank you Hans.

- Charles

[Charles Schefer]

For the stock oil pan plugs (I.e. no quick drains) I assume there is a crush gasket in there. Is this a standard part? Finished the alternator upgrade and before recowling the engines I'm going to do an oil change...

[Charles Schefer]

Phillip at Webco answered my question... apparently the part numbers are:

MS-35769-11

or

AN900-10

Posting this in case it helps others.

- Charles

[N3322G]

Charles,

The Twin's engines now have Curtiss CCA-1400 $24.50 ea from Spruce. I'll try to remember to post at next oil change as to any seepage a la Saf Air F50s.

[Clarence Beintema]

Charles,

Lycoming engine drain plug should be a 1/2" national pipe thread and does not require a gasket or "O" ring. It require some thread seal lube, careful torquing and some safety wire. The suction screen however does require an MS 35769-21.

Clarence

[Charles Schefer]

Pat / Clarence - thanks for those last two replies. Clarence - yes my IA and I figured out that the gaskets I bought were not needed for the 50-hr oil change for the reason you gave. Thanks Pat for that quick drain part number. It seems the one you have installed is different from the other part number listed by Hans above. Could it be that there are multiple models that work?

- Charles

[N3322G]

Charles,

My experience is limited to what's on my Twin and in the logbook. I have seen some interesting cowls for sale recently that included an open hole for apparently longer quick drains. I can safely vouch that these fit this year - there is always the possibility that the Mfr changed part numbers or that there are multiple options - but I can only guess. I would also note that CCA-1700 and CCA-1400 are only a transcription error away. Both show with virtually the same description on the Spruce site - maybe ask Spruce what the difference is or contact Curtis.