Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I installed this shutter over my oil cooler this weekend. I usually put tape over the cooler during the winter months. However, when flying South from Maine, I have to land and remove as the oil temps rise. Hopefully this installation will give more control from the cockpit!
For the inquiring minds, I'll let you know.

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

Good job Mr. Chuck ! I do have an inquiring mind and will require a 5 page write up on this little beauty !

RB

I tried one of those last year and found with the shutter in the open position, it made my oil temps too high. Please let us know how you fare with it. I hope you have better luck than I did. I was really looking forward to being able to control my oil temp in flight.

I think the limiting factor may be the amount of air flowing over the oil cooler fins . I used a damper valve that I control from the cockpit with a push pull control . High pressure and high flow air is ducted off the back of the left rear plenum chamber and routed via a Scatt tube to an adapter fitted to the front of the oil cooler . The damper valve is either full open or full closed , but you can position it to almost any intermediate position you desire . So far after 6 years of use it has worked as advertised . You can buy the damper valve online for about $70.00 or you can make one like I did for about $5.00 . Not the best pic , but I think you get the idea .

RB
SAY WHAT !

My aircraft had a shutter control like in Chuck's picture. It is no longer there. Even full open it cuts off a lot of air. I have considered modifying it to allow more air to pass through it but for now it is in a box in the corner with other future projects.

_________________
Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

My oil cooler is in the baffle in front of #2 cylinder and fortunately have never had oil cooling issues. I agree in its design it blocks some air flow, hopefully it wasn't a waste of time!

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

Just mill the slots out bigger. If you can't find someone there to do it, send it to me. I've got a great machinist.
Cubes

Mr. Chuck...if it doesn't work it looks like it would make one hell of a BBQ grill !

RB
Old Smoky

My cooler is mounted where yours is also, Chuck. I think that there is a very good chance that your damper assembly will work well. It looks good!

_________________
John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE