Hello All,
I am restoring a 1945 J-3 for a customer which has wood spars that were replaced back in the eighties. The ribs were in terrible shape so the customer elected to replace them with Dakota cub ribs. The problem I am hoping some one can give a little insight to is that the new ribs do not fit on the front spar. As in the front spar opening in the rib is to small. Now the spar measures 5-13/16 tall the original rib opening measures 5-7/8 tall and the Dakota cub rib measures 5-3/4. I talked to a fellow at Dakota Cub and he was kinda stumped that they didn't fit but didn't know what the spar measurement was supposed to be and suggested filing the T-angle until they slide on, but I want to know why they don't fit. My inclination is that the spar is just a little bit oversized. Can anyone point me in the direction of a factory drawing for the wood spars or does anyone know what the dimensions are supposed to be. I appreciate any input you folks might have.
Thank you
Chad
I am restoring a 1945 J-3 for a customer which has wood spars that were replaced back in the eighties. The ribs were in terrible shape so the customer elected to replace them with Dakota cub ribs. The problem I am hoping some one can give a little insight to is that the new ribs do not fit on the front spar. As in the front spar opening in the rib is to small. Now the spar measures 5-13/16 tall the original rib opening measures 5-7/8 tall and the Dakota cub rib measures 5-3/4. I talked to a fellow at Dakota Cub and he was kinda stumped that they didn't fit but didn't know what the spar measurement was supposed to be and suggested filing the T-angle until they slide on, but I want to know why they don't fit. My inclination is that the spar is just a little bit oversized. Can anyone point me in the direction of a factory drawing for the wood spars or does anyone know what the dimensions are supposed to be. I appreciate any input you folks might have.
Thank you
Chad
