Bluelabel
Well Known Member
I decided since the taxiway in front of my hangar was getting repaired for a couple weeks, I'd take the opportunity to re-do my baffle seals. My engine has always been on the hot side. Manageable, but I'd really like to have more headroom on hot days.
I though there was a pretty good chance I was getting some leaks in the back corners as the the air may have pushed the material down. We started with the original material from Van's.
I shopped a few things at Oshkosh and decided to give the McFarlan Cowl Saver stuff a try. It's extremely slick on one side and much stiffer than the original.
While I was at it, I figured I'd make it look cool too. Worst case scenario, I have the same cooling and a better look with the cowl off.
So, I whipped up new strips for both sides so the rivets had something good to bite into, off to the anodizer, and here we are.
First flight with them was on Saturday to fly young eagles. Getting the cowl on for the first time was a bear!!.
So far it seems I may have lowered the temps a couple degrees at best. Won't really know for sure until I go somewhere where I can get up high in cruise where I know exactly what temps I usually see.
Here's the before and after pics...
Before:
After
I though there was a pretty good chance I was getting some leaks in the back corners as the the air may have pushed the material down. We started with the original material from Van's.
I shopped a few things at Oshkosh and decided to give the McFarlan Cowl Saver stuff a try. It's extremely slick on one side and much stiffer than the original.
While I was at it, I figured I'd make it look cool too. Worst case scenario, I have the same cooling and a better look with the cowl off.
So, I whipped up new strips for both sides so the rivets had something good to bite into, off to the anodizer, and here we are.
First flight with them was on Saturday to fly young eagles. Getting the cowl on for the first time was a bear!!.
So far it seems I may have lowered the temps a couple degrees at best. Won't really know for sure until I go somewhere where I can get up high in cruise where I know exactly what temps I usually see.
Here's the before and after pics...
Before:
After