Question for Paul McBride, the General Aviation News engines expert: Does anyone make an adjustable air shutter for the Lycoming 360 engine? When I blocked mine off and flew to Florida and back I ran a 200° oil temperature.
Ronald Kravitz
A: Ronald, I’m not sure if anyone out there makes an adjustable shutter for an oil cooler.
I will say the temperatures you experienced during your Florida trip are right where I’d like to see them, assuming the accuracy of your oil temperature gauge is correct.
My suggestion is rather than spending money on an adjustable shutter — if you can locate one — consider using good old “100 mile an hour tape,” which is inexpensive and can be applied in various sizes. Plus, it’s also easy to remove.
the winter summer plate we had on warrior worked well it requires only loosening two nuts one at a time to insert and still allowed some airflow
easy to do at fuel stop on trip nh-fl each year
I use aluminum tape on my RV because it’s easier to get off and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. Works great. Don’t really need to get your indicated temperature above 190 or so for reasons already mentioned.
Seems to me there’s a general fear of high oil temps. But realistically the only way to burn off impurities is to be around 212F. I’ve taped off a portion of the cooler on our Debonair and it’s amazing how much tape it requires to get the oil temp up. And never really high enough.
You can textually smack me if I’m wrong 🙂
Some info from, https://aerotoolbox.com/oil-cooling-system/#Cooling_System
…’ In an air-cooled engine the oil system is responsible for approximately 30 % to 40 % of the total cooling. The oil attracts a lot of heat as it passes through the engine which is dissipated through an air-cooled oil-cooler before re-entering the engine.’
Also, oil that is cold, about 100 degF will not circulate to the valve areas and the exhaust valve will be starved from lubrication and wear the guide.
Per Mike Busch, the oil temp sensor is located before the oil flows through the engine, and the oil will pick up 40+ degF before returning to the sump. So 180 degF oil indicated on the gauge implies about 220 degF peak oil temp as it flows through the engine.
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Got it. Makes sense.
I installed a shutter I purchased from Vans Aircraft under a field approval. I manufactured an attachment bracket with the shutter assembly being controlled with a Bowden (sp) control cable mounted on the dash, just below oil temperature gauge.
Will work on Stinson 108 thru 108-3
Worked great, no issues, just requires a good pilot “cross check” in flight.
The Lycoming O-360 has fittings for a remote oil cooler, which is usually attached to the rear baffle or close with a scat hose to the rear baffle.
So, tape would not be easy to apply or remove….
The Cessna 350 and 400 have adjustable shutters with a control in the panel
There is also an after market unit;
https://antisplataero.com/products/oil-cooler-air-shutter
My 10 tube oil cooler is at the front of the engine, and I use multiple 1 inch strips of aluminum tape, so I can add or remove 1 strip as the outside temps change.
With summer temps of 90 degF I have 4 rows covered.
With cold temps of 45-50 degF I may have 7-8 rows covered,
all to keep the oil temp in the 170-180 degF range.
Amazon has the two inch. I’ve seen other sizes on eBay.
https://www.amazon.com/Tac-Shield-Heavy-Duty-Tape/dp/B00JC5DOW0