I would really like to thank you Ed for your efforts to help all of us who come later to the party. Your chronicles of both the good and the bad will save many people from peril, THANKS AGAIN. Fly safe and often!
Hi Bill,
My cooling system now seems well (if not optimized) matched to my current installation. Full power take offs on hot days see my cooling temps elevate to 200F for oil and 210-220F for coolant. Once I hit 120 MPH IAS the cooling system catches up and starts to eliminate the cooling deficit.
At my normal retired-man cruise of 7- 8 gph, my coolant and oil range from 155-170F depending on OAT. When I push it to my max fuel flow/power 10.5-12.5 gph at altitude the temperatures of both increase until they are in the 190-195F range. This gives me my maximum true airspeed. So it appears my cooling capacity is about right where I need it. Certainly a surplus at low power cruise, but just adequate on take/off climbout on hot days and adequate for full boogie flight.
I really don't know how much drag (if any) I have eliminated, but I am convinced that it is less than if I had more of the core exposed to high velocity airflow.
Sorry, I can't be more definitive about it - I would like to know as well, but only so much time to get all the wonderful projects on my list done. Perhaps someone with the inclination and time will someday put this idea in a wind tunnel and tell us {:>)
Ed