EridanMan wrote:


The only real 'ugly' I came across was the Fuel tanks... red goo in
both. I'm already pricing salvage replacement tanks and fuel system.


Used tanks off another airplane probably won't fit. The piper tanks are
trimmed and drilled by hand and will only fit the airplane they were
trimmed and drilled for. If you replace them, you'll have either
replace the whole wing, or get new tanks from piper (and then trim and
drill them yourself). A better option would be to send the tanks out to
one of the two shops that do tank resealing and have them disassemble,
clean-out and reseal the tanks. You'll have to repaint them when you
get them back, as part of the process strips the paint. The cost is
around $600/tank. Call one of those shops and discuss your situation
with them. Skycraft used to do it, but I think they sold their tank
resealing business. I don't recall the name of the company that took it
over, nor the name of the other company. You could also have your local
mechanic do it if he is good with sheet metal, but you may end up paying
more.

It may also be possible to use a solvent to clean the goo out of the
tanks. Worst that would happen is it might also take out the sealant
and make it necessary to get the tanks resealed.