PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.
PA-28-161, WARRIOR III
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
PAGE 3
Nov 30/06
4I5
61-10-00
B. Cleaning, Inspection, and Repair
(1) Clean the spinner back plate and propeller surfaces with a non-corrosive solvent, and inspect
for nicks, scratches, corrosion and cracks.
(2) Nicks in the leading edges of the blades should be filed out and all edges rounded, as cracks
sometimes start from such places. Use fine emery cloth for finishing, (Refer to Figure 1 for
propeller blade care.) A propeller with several nicks, scratches, corrosion or cracks should be
returned to a propeller overhaul shop or the manufacturer for inspection and repair.
(3) Each blade face should be sanded lightly and painted, when necessary, with a flat black paint
to retard glare. A light application of oil or wax may be applied to the surfaces to prevent
corrosion.
C. Installation (Refer to Figure 2.)
NOTE: If the propeller-engine combination feels rough on initial run-up or flight, propeller may be
rotated 180° from initial installation.
(1) Insure magneto switch is OFF.
(2) Place the alternator drive belt in the groove of the starter ring gear and position the starter
gear on the flange of the crankshaft. Ascertain that the stamped “O” on the gear is aligned with
the “O” on the crankshaft flange.
(3) Install the propeller spinner back plate or bulkhead on the starter ring gear.
(4) Rotate crankshaft until the top center (TC) mark on the starter gear and the crankcase parting
flange or the index mark on the starter housing are aligned.
(5) Install propeller by indexing number one propeller blade over “O” mark on ring gear support.
(6) Place the doubler in position. Install and tighten each propeller bolt, with washer, finger tight.
Use a torque wrench for final tightening and tighten in sequence so that all bolts are pulled
down evenly, (Refer to Chart 1 for specific torque requirements.)
(7) Check the propeller blade track Blade Track, below.
(8) Safety the propeller mounting bolts with MS20995-C41 wire.
(9) Install the spinner and torque attachment screws per Chart 1. The minimum allowable gap
between propeller and spinner components is 0.040 inch.
(10) Adjust alternator drive belt per Alternator Belt Tension Adjustment, 24-30-00.
2. Blade Track
Blade track is the ability of one blade tip to follow the other, while rotating, in almost the same plane.
Excessive difference in blade track – more than 0.062 inch – may be an indication of bent blades or
improper propeller installation. Check blade track as follows:
A. With the engine shut down and blades vertical secure to the aircraft a smooth board just under the
tip of the lower blade. Move the tip fore and aft through its full blade-shake travel, making small
marks with a pencil at each position. Then center the tip between these marks and scribe a line on
the board for the full width of the tip.
B. Carefully rotate propeller by hand to bring the opposite blade down. Center the tip and scribe a
pencil line as before and check that lines are not separated more than 0.062 inch.
C. Propellers having excess blade track should be removed and inspected for bent blades. Bent blades
will require repair and overhaul of assemble.