cargo pod installation

[nick]

I just bought a used like new factory cargo pod for my 1969 T337D, but I need to get the templet and the hardware along with instructions to install this thing. has anybody done this? i would greatly appriciate any help.
my e-mail nicknazari@gmail.com

[Skymaster337B]

I'd also like to get a pod, so I'm curious how much a used pod is selling for?

[nick]

I paid $2500.00 for mine but i saw just the other day somebody paid $3500.oo for it. also after market ones new are going about $6000.00.

[skymstr02]

I installed one, but didn't have a template. I had a truck innertube under the pod, and had this under the airplane. Inflated the tube with shop air to place the pod where I wanted it, and transferred the hole to the belly. I used the illustrated parts catalog for the hardware, the extended rods for the front cowl flaps, and the front engine exhaust pipes. You will need the extended pipes to direct the exhaust gasses from the pod so that it doens't get cooked, and the rods to have the cowl flaps accomodate the tail pipes.

[nick]

thanks skymaster02 for the reply. the cessna part store on our field told me that he could not get the rivnuts(some of the hardware) anymore. would you please forward me more info maybe the part numers and the phone number of the part store where you got your parts.
I'd sure appriciate it very much.

[skymstr02]

The riv-nuts are available thru Aircraft Spruce, www.aircraftspruce.com, amoung other aviation hardware dealers. They may be available on ebay also, but I have not checked. I did this job over 20 years ago, but it wasn't unsurmountable, and I don't remember who I bought the parts from, but it probably was a company like Van Dusen or Aviall, as those were my primary hardware type vendors. Van Dusen has been bought out by Aviall since then.

[brian]

Be careful where you drill. Was told by someone in the know that it is easy to drill thru some structural members - then it gets expensive... Brian

[Skymaster337B]

Does anyone have some close-up pics of an installed cargo pod they could post, especially around the key alignment hole/rivet areas. Just in case I, or any one else, finds a pod and wants to install it a picture is worth a thousand words.