General Skymaster Info & Tips For Buyers

[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!

I believe that my starter got smoked by a line guy with aux power. He plugged it in, I hit my stareter, and smoke came out of the cowling. Both ends of the starter cable were melted, and burnt smelling fluid was running out of the starter. Oh, what a great feeling that is! Any way, one of the field windings looks like black, runny, silly putty! Have taken it to be overhauled, but they are having a difficult time finding parts any more. So, I'm looking at other options.

When you say that you can't rotate the prop in the opposite direction with a light weight starter, do you mean at all? If not, how do you time the mag or do any maintenance requiring such an action?

Any problems with the light weight starters actually turning the engine? I've got two on my Twin Comanche, and sometimes it seems like they have to muster every amp of energy just to barely swing the prop. Never had a failure, but it sure is different from every other plane I've flown with regular starters.

Any other comments are welcome.

Thanks for your input.

Keven
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Vodun (voodoo) forums

[Shalimar]

I had no trouble with starting using a light weight starter, it spun the rear engine just fine. With respect to counter-rotating the engine you can do it but it is very resistant. It felt to me that I was trying to make it do something that it did not want to do and I was concerned with putting undue stress on the gear train. Perhaps someone else on this blog can shed more light on this. It did make mag timing and compression testing more of a challenge.
All that said, I am surprised that parts for a heavy weight starter are hard to find. There are a lot of heavy weights still out there! Suggest that you contact Cessna Pilots Association (if you are a member, and it's worthwhile) and see if they can shed some light on this.
Good luck

[hharney]

Keven
I bought a reman couple of years ago for the front engine and it was in stock, next day it was in. I can't see why there would be a problem getting parts or just go with a reman.

Getting the 337 ready for that trip to Idaho?