Pietenpol-List: Low oil temps in winter

[matronics]

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
I've been battling the low oil temperature issue for a few years. I have been able to get 185F at 38F outside. 176F at 30-32 and 167F at 18 - 20F on my A-65. The current setup hasn't been tested any cooler this year yet as I recently changed a baffle design and we have had unseasonally mild weather here. I have a J-3 style cowling with original J-3 eyebrows. I'm assuming you already have the lower cylinder baffles installed as these are left on year round. The following is a list of modifications that I complete for winter operations.materials required: Some standard grade aluminium sheet...say .032-.040. No need for fancy stuff here.A roll of the aluminium tape. The very soft shiny stuff.A roll of the insulated duct wrap that has a sticky sided foam about 1/4" thick with an aluminium foil outside.-Wrap the oil tank with the insulated duct wrap. leave an open area at the back (say 25% of it) without the insulation. I then use a insulated hood from from an old parka and also wrap this around the oil tank. And again I leave the back area open. The back area open allows the oil to get warmed up when I am preheating the engine.-Wrap all the intake tubes with the insulated duct wrap. I then safety wire the wrap around the tubes to secure it even though it does stick to the tubes.-I also stick the insulated wrap to the front of the engine case, and the top of the engine case. (I'm trying to retain as much heat as possible. The aluminium tape can be used to assist retaining some of this wrap. As well as securing with safety wire when possible.-I install baffle plates that block off the airflow from the top of the eyebrow downward over the barrel portion of the cylinder to the height of the exhaust flange then outward to the valve cover and downward to the lower cowling. Now in the area from a line at the exhaust flange upward to the top of the cylinder in the head portion of the cylinder the baffle here has 10 holes in it. (this is my latest mod., prior I tried blocking it off but I believe it was causing the front cylinders to run too hot) So far up to 18-20F I can run w/o closing up any holes. When the temps drop, my plan is to partially block the holes with some tape. Thus still allowing airflow...but limiting it.-Either with tape or with some sheet aluminium. Block off the top of the eyebrow about 2" from the highest point of the eyebrow.-Tape over the hole in the front of the cowling above the air intake that blows on the lower engine case above the carburetor.-Tape over gap (if any) between cowling and air filter assembly. If anyone wants further info...I can email a picture. Currently I don't have any pics but could easily provide some. I have also made some other winter mods for improved carb heat and cabin heat. (very little...mostly directed at my feet) I have made cylindrical heat muffs that mount on the exposed exhaust manifolds. I have wrapped springs around the manifold first before these are installed to increase heat exchange. On one side the heat muff has a series of restrictor holes facing forward. The muff is then ducted into the J-3 style dual heat muff and then through a heat box to two hoses directed at my feet. On the other side the opening on the heat muff is around the back of the muff. And then is ducted to the carb heat side of the J-3 style dual heat muff. Normally the carb heat and cabin heat muffs get there air from the front of the cowling. The cabin heat side still gets some ram, but the carb heat side doesn't need ram effect as the engine will suck the air in. Both of these additional muffs work as preheaters for the original style systems. Shawn Wolk Winnipeg. MB C-FRAZ 1933 Pietenpol Aircamper. 'already 25 hours on skis this season...yippee'________________________________________________________________________________

[matronics]

Original Posted By: "Don Emch"
Thanks guys for the advice on the oil temperatures. I suppose it's better to havelow temps. rather than high temps. But it is strange to be flying aroundand see relatively low temperatures. These recent flights have been my firstflights with the cooler weather. For the time of year though we have had fantasticflying weather.I think I'm going to try the blanket idea too. I'll look into the different suppliersand see what I can find.Thanks again guys!Don EmchNX899DERead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Low oil temps in winter

[matronics]

Original Posted By: "Don Emch"
Shawn,I missed your posting before I posted the last message. I'm going to print offyour suggestions and try to use some of them. I think you have some great ideas.I plan to continue flying right on through the winter. In my opinion itis some of the nicest flying weather. I have a firewall mount heat box thatI thought about making up a muff for it. It would be nice to have 'not as cold'air blowing up my pant leg! Thinking about some homemade wooden skis now! Just need that snow.Don EmchNX899DERead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: rib stiching advice

[matronics]

Original Posted By: "Dale Johnson"
Hello Douwe,I remember meeting and talking with you at Brodhead. How is your project comingalong? If I remember correctly you were in contact with Larry Williams. Iseemed to have lost his current email address. Would you happen to have it? My email is EmchAir(at)aol.com, if you happen to have it could you send it to me?Thanks!Don EmchNX899DERead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________