I am looking at a 66 a23-24 with the old style DG that looks like a magnetic compass ….What if any alternatives do I have to change to a open face DG like I am used to …Kevin Huff
Kevin, I’m hoping that you will get some responses from folks who have more experience with the older panels than I do. My belief is that you have the floating pilot’s panel, that is mounted on shock mounts to reduce vibration in the instruments. The older, large-head DGs were often made by Garwin, and are no longer made. Some shops may still overhaul them.
The nicest-looking solution is to have a new floating panel made by an instrument shop such as Gulf Coast Avionics, with the correct size holes for any new instruments. This is naturally the most expensive approach. You can probably get (or make) a hole adapter to mount the later (smaller) gyro in the original hole; I have not personally done that for this larger unit and hole (standard adapters are available for the two smaller standard size holes).
Barring a better response from another member, I would call two outfits.
1. Call Gulf Coast (or your nearest equivalent shop), and ask them about your options.
2. Call Nutek Instruments, and ask them about pricing and availability for an alternative gyro.
Both of these shops have links on the BAC website.
Best of luck, and Merry Christmas! Please keep us posted on the outcome.