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Cowl Louvres / running hot - thoughts ?.

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tl_z_bub

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I’ve had my S1-S for 10 years this year - flown about 350 very happy hours in her.

One thing that I never seem to have ever managed to fully resolve is that the engine seems to be prone to getting hot. I’m very familiar with the aeroplane by now and I know when to be ready / back off before this becomes a significant problem - but I’d appreciate the thoughts of some of the experts that hang out here.

Just to frame the issue
Engine is a 0-360 B4A / stock compression, P mags timed @ 20 BTDC (fixed timing curve), Fairly coarse MT Prop, Bendix Injection, No Air filter. Skydynamics x over exhaust.
Baffles are stock / in good order, small gaps siliconed up, Airwolf external filter, Plans Oil cooler (front Left baffle mounted) Vernatherm fitted.

I fly intermediate level Aeros @ 3000’ with about 15C ambient temp, Engine very slightly leaned (best power). I generally see about 160F oil temp and 320F CHT from the cruise / as I begin, but by the end of a 12 manoeuvre sequence (mostly at full power) I see 210F Oil & 380F CHT . If I keep going (which I don’t) Oil will quickly hit 220F and CHT heads toward 400F. As my flying (slowly) progresses to more advanced manoeuvres this is becoming more of an issue.

What particularly interests me is that I have “T” style cowl doors (no rear gap) and Louvres in both sides of the lower cowls (I’ll try to link a photo). A few years ago I put a lip on the lower rear air exit to try to improve things (which it did a little).

I’m thinking of trying to blank off the Louvres in the lower cowls - they don’t seem to be a common mod on the S1-S and Im suspecting them as part of my problem. (If indeed the sorts of temps I mention are indeed a problem and Im not just being paranoid.)

Any thoughts out there ?.
 
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