Gap at wing root
 

Hi all.

When recently inspecting a prospect, I noticed a pronounced gap at the front of the right wing root. I can't honestly remember if I saw the same for the port-side. It runs about 2 ft from the leading edge-back, and is about an inch wide. The rest is pretty much a good seal. Attempting to attach a photo...

Not sure if this is unusual, but even if it is not a sign of damage or failure, can water get in and cause damage? If not unusual, what's involved in replacing that seal?

Thanks.

Wing Root Gap (pic attached)
 

What year is the aircraft (1968?)? My 1966 has a fairing over the gap, with a small rubber channel on the edge that goes against the fuselage. This is the same set up for C337s up to 1973. I can't quite tell from your photo if it is only a rubber seal between the wing and fuselage, so I cannot tell you if there is a problem. The fairing could be homemade, damaged, etc, so the only way to tell, is to remove it and look at structure to determine if there is a problem.

Regardless, anything that fills the void between the wing and fuselage is primarily for aerodynamics. The fuselage penetrations would be normally sealed where any fuel lines or wires go through. It is best to have a great seal on that fairing as the more moisture you can keep out of that area, the better. You have some flight control cables and attach fittings that you want to keep dry. Typically those rubber seals on filet fairings are easy to replace. New seals are available from various suppliers - use a little contact cement or Gorilla Glue (my preference) to glue on fairing.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff.

This one is a '69. There is a fairing, but my shot is too close up to tell. Glad to hear the seal is an easy replacement. Guess we'll have to inspect inside when we replace it (if there's visibility. Do you have any particular sources you like for that sort of thing?

Our 5 sky masters use a h shaped seal which will fill the gap better than a u shaped

These wing fairings have oversized holes that allow the fairing to be positioned against the fuselage. It's not as easy as it looks, and when done in haste without technique this is the outcome. Yes it needs a new rubber channel and that would also help to allow the fairing to lay flat. The rubber turns to plastic and doesn't form too good. These are tell tale signs of not taking care of our birds. Be careful and proceed with caution doing the pre-buy

Extremely helpful Herb. That might explain the uneven, changing gap size along that seam, which was my biggest concern.

Noted on telltale sign. It has been hangared since 2011, and possibly before. So critters and weather incursion were hopefully kept to a minimum. I dragged my IA down from CT to pre-buy it where it's parked in VA. It went better than we expected, but we expected the worst. Ran surprisingly well, at least on the front. Ironic, given that the front has close to 900 hours and a (light) prop strike; whereas the rear has 100 hours, but failed to provide adequate fuel flow to start and/or run without continual boost.

-Gray-

So true...

Was wondering if anyone might know where I can find these seals. As best I can tell, these are S202R in the 65-69 manual, but the diagram is a bit vague for the wing root. If so, I can't find this by googling.

Aircraft Spruce is really good about sending out samples so you can match up just what you need. Also Brown Aircraft Seal has a good selection

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...clickkey=10656

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...clickkey=10656

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...clickkey=10656

https://www.brownaircraft.com/category-s/60.htm

Much appreciated. Especially the brown's link.