Target Audience:
Aircraft owners, A&P mechanics, rebuilders, and parts suppliers working on the 1977-1981 Cessna 172
Primary Use:
Identifying correct factory part numbers for maintenance, repair, and restoration
OEM Part Numbers:
Factory-illustrated breakdowns with official Cessna part numbers
Illustrations:
Detailed exploded-view diagrams for every major assembly
Format:
Searchable digital PDF for fast part lookup on any device
Manual Type:
Factory parts catalog (illustrated parts book)
Coverage Areas:
Airframe, engine, landing gear, flight controls, and associated hardware for the 1977-1981 Cessna 172
Format:
PDF (digital download)
Delivery Method:
Instant download after purchase
Binding:
Digital (no physical binding)
Page Count:
N/A - full factory catalog reproduction; page total shown at download
Compatibility:
Printable on standard paper; zoomable for fine print and part numbers
Systems and Assemblies Covered
Airframe:
Fuselage, wing assembly, empennage, cowling, and structural panels
Engine and Cowling:
Engine mount, baffles, cowling components, and related hardware
Fuel System:
Fuel tanks, selector valves, lines, strainer, and fuel quantity indicators
Landing Gear:
Main gear, nose gear, shock struts, wheels, brakes, and tires
Flight Controls:
Aileron, elevator, rudder, flap controls, cables, and pulleys
Propeller Group:
Propeller, spinner, and mounting hardware for the standard fixed-pitch propeller
Powerplant Accessories:
Alternator, starter, exhaust, induction, and lubrication components
Electrical System:
Wiring, battery, master and ignition switches, lighting, and circuit protection
Instruments:
Pitot-static, gyro, and engine instrument installations and panels
Hydraulic and Brake System:
Brake cylinders, lines, and parking brake components
Cabin and Upholstery:
Seats, belts, interior trim, windows, doors, and latches
Heating and Ventilation:
Cabin heat shrouds, ducts, vents, and defrost components
Anti-Icing / Deicing:
Pitot heat and related optional equipment as fitted
Miscellaneous Hardware:
Fasteners, clamps, rivets, and standard hardware tables
Effects of Serial Numbers:
Part applicability notes by serial number effective points
Figure References:
Exploded illustrations keyed to figure-item-part number listings
Supersession Data:
Superseded part numbers where applicable
Quantity Columns:
Quantity of each part per assembly
Parts Source Codes:
Vendor codes for procurement of purchased components
Technical Depth:
Parts identification level only; overhaul and repair procedures are covered in separate service manuals
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Primary Engine:
Lycoming O-320 series, 4-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally opposed
Rated Power:
160 horsepower at 2700 rpm (typical for 1977-1981 172N)
Displacement:
319.8 cubic inches (5.24 liters)
Fuel System:
Carbureted, gravity-fed from wing tanks
Fuel Grade:
100LL aviation gasoline (100/130 as originally specified)
Propeller:
Fixed-pitch metal propeller; part numbers in catalog propeller group
Transmission:
N/A - not applicable to fixed-wing aircraft
Propeller Drive:
Direct drive from the Lycoming O-320 crankshaft through a fixed-pitch propeller
Relevant Powertrain Content:
Catalog covers propeller, spinner, engine mount, and related drive hardware
Wingspan:
36 ft 1 in (11.0 m)
Length:
Approximately 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
Height:
Approximately 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)
Wheelbase:
N/A - not applicable to tricycle gear aircraft
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
2,300 lb (typical for 172N of this era)
Approximate Empty Weight:
Around 1,380-1,450 lb depending on equipment
Crash Test Ratings:
N/A - general aviation aircraft are not assigned consumer crash test ratings
Restraints:
Four-seat Lap Belt installations; shoulder harnesses optional/retrofit
Stall Protection:
Wing stall strips, stall warning horn on lift struts
Landing Gear:
Fixed tricycle gear with steerable nose wheel
Certification:
FAA type certificated under CAR 3/FAR Part 23 requirements of the era
Flight Instrument Safety Systems:
Pitot-static system with optional pitot heat
Avionics:
Panel-mounted VHF COM/NAV, transponder, and standard flight instruments of the era; installations vary by serial number
Audio / Intercom:
Basic panel audio of the period; aftermarket upgrades common
Autopilot:
Optional Factory-Fitted systems where installed
Glass Cockpit:
N/A - factory standard analog gauges; G1000 is a later retrofit option
Parts Catalog Relevance:
Lists avionics mounting trays, antennas, and wiring hardware by serial effectivity
Service Intervals:
Annual FAA inspection; 100-hour inspection if operated for hire (per FAR 43, not detailed in a parts catalog)
Engine Oil:
Approximately 8 quarts, aviation mineral or ashless dispersant oil per Lycoming specification
Fuel Capacity:
43 gallons standard (21 gallons unusable reserve varies by configuration); verify by serial
Tires and Brakes:
6.00x6 tires typical; brake linings and master cylinders are high-wear catalog items
Common Wear Items:
Brake linings, tires, shock strut seals, control cables, pulleys, and exhaust components
Known Issues:
Nose gear shimmy and exhaust stack cracking are common 172-era service concerns
Note:
This is a parts catalog; maintenance procedures require the Cessna 172 service manual
Manufacturer:
Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas, USA
Model Evolution:
The 172 first flew in 1955; the 1977-1981 172N era featured the 160 hp O-320 and refined interiors
Cutlass Variant:
The 172RG Cutlass, introduced in 1980, added retractable gear and a 180 hp engine for cruise speeds near 140 knots
Production Location:
Cessna Aircraft Company, Wichita, Kansas
Legacy:
Most-produced aircraft in history; a mainstay of flight training worldwide
