All,
I live in a very warm section of the country (middle Georgia) and so want to make sure I have adequate cooling. I have been researching the baffle mounted oil cooler in a -8 here and elsewhere on the web.
Since the -8 oil cooler has to be mounted lower than on the side-by-sides, much of the oil cooler is blocked by the #4 cylinder and thus it doesn't work as well. Some have opted for a different more efficient oil cooler (Stewart-Warner, I think). Others have located their oil cooler on the firewall. I have a firewall mounted battery and thus, the firewall is a bit crowded. Also, I would rather not have to buy another oil cooler. I have the Niagra cooler that comes with the FWF kit.
Some have fabricated spacers that move the oil cooler back some. This looks like it improves airflow a little more. On one website someone used Z brackets (same ones used on the fuel tanks) to move the oil cooler way back. I have fabricated a 1/8" spacer that I plan to put between the oil cooler doubler bracket and the baffle. But, I don't know if that will make a significant difference.
The reason for my post is that I would like to update the body of knowledge on this topic. Those of you with flying 8's (particularly in warm climates), how is your baffle mounted oil cooler mounted (per plans or modified), which oil cooler do you have, and how is it performing?
Thanks,
I live in a very warm section of the country (middle Georgia) and so want to make sure I have adequate cooling. I have been researching the baffle mounted oil cooler in a -8 here and elsewhere on the web.
Since the -8 oil cooler has to be mounted lower than on the side-by-sides, much of the oil cooler is blocked by the #4 cylinder and thus it doesn't work as well. Some have opted for a different more efficient oil cooler (Stewart-Warner, I think). Others have located their oil cooler on the firewall. I have a firewall mounted battery and thus, the firewall is a bit crowded. Also, I would rather not have to buy another oil cooler. I have the Niagra cooler that comes with the FWF kit.
Some have fabricated spacers that move the oil cooler back some. This looks like it improves airflow a little more. On one website someone used Z brackets (same ones used on the fuel tanks) to move the oil cooler way back. I have fabricated a 1/8" spacer that I plan to put between the oil cooler doubler bracket and the baffle. But, I don't know if that will make a significant difference.
The reason for my post is that I would like to update the body of knowledge on this topic. Those of you with flying 8's (particularly in warm climates), how is your baffle mounted oil cooler mounted (per plans or modified), which oil cooler do you have, and how is it performing?
Thanks,