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Bob-
Can I mention one problem, that probably only shows up in northern climes?
Unrestricted cold air flow to an oil cooler can cause the oil to build in
viscosity to the point of causing the bypass, even though the engine oil
temperature is calling for cooling.  Then the engine oil can then overheat,
and even cause problems with the prop governor, if you have a variable pitch
prop.  If the oil is too thin to maintain pressure in the prop governor, you
can have a prop that cannot be controlled; unless you have a counterweighted
prop in which case it will by default go to fine pitch.  Fine pitch is much
much better than a prop going to maximum course pitch.  The first plane I
owned was a C182; that's where I learned about oil cooler airflow
restriction needed in the winter.  It is better to have some oil passing
through the cooler at all times because if the oil flow does stop by a
thermostatic bypass, and the air is very cold, then it may be impossible to
get it flowing again until you are on the ground and engine heat can migrate
to the cooler and warm the oil to a point that the pressure relief valve is
not relieving.  I live in what is called "Northern Ontario", but if you look
on a map, about in line with the north end of MI, and well south of the
north western states, so I think there is a lot of country where this can be
an issue.

Gary Rodgers

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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.