OK, I received a new SW oil cooler to replace my other one (figured maybe it was coked up or something..guy at Pacific said that was a possibility).  This is  the 6 vane model that he stated was the most popular for O-320's and was the same one that I already had.  I installed it and saw better results, but not much better (and this was probably due to it being around 72 degrees on the ground...last time I flew it was around 86 or so..maybe more).  I sustained a climb to about 7500 feet and managed to rack up around 235 degrees.  It would settle down to about 205-210 in cruise.  I don't like it.   I'd hate to see what it's still gonna do on a hot day.  Looking through the front of the cowl it just seems to defy physics that enough air is crossing over those cylinders (enough cool air at that) and running down the 3" scat tubing to the oil cooler.
Soooo... I am going to put in a dedicated NACA scoop and hopefully get this thing cured once and for all.  I am tired of bullsh*tting around with this problem throwing money at it (new vernatherm...had gauge checked....new oil cooler).
Can someone point me in the right direction with this, and does anyone have any templates for it.  I believe Scott K. posted some dimensions for his which was accommodating 3" tubing which is the same that I will be using.  And the main thing....does it make a huge difference where I put it.  I want to put it on the bottom of the cowl.  There is already a smaller one on the other side which feeds the fresh air vents in the plane.


Steve Reeves
Glasair I FT 343ND