flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

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Rusty, my experience is that (at least the more recent rotary engines) can withstand oil temps into the engine of up to 240F for at least a short period of time without causing damage (been there, done that). Oil Pan temp is going to be quite a bit higher than oil coming out of the cooler, so I would guestimate that your oil into the engine is at least 15-20F less (probably more like 20-30F) than oil pan temps. After all, the oil in your pan (a lot of it) has just come from cooling the rotors, so is bound to be carrying a lot of heat.

I drilled and tapped a 1/8" NPT hole in the fitting where my oil returns to the engine after going through the cooler for oil temp sensor.

Ed Anderson

----- Original Message -----

From: Russell Duffy

To: Rotary motors in aircraft

Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 12:20 AM

Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: flight #2 and #3

But 210 into the engine is gospel from Racing Beat.

That's depressing. I may have to call Bruce tomorrow and get his view on this.  I just took another look at the log that Finn posted a while back, and he did have a period of time where the oil pan temp was 242, while the oil return from the cooler was 201. If (huge, unproven "if") this is the case with my engine, then I'll be OK, but I need to measure the temp into the engine to be sure. I believe the archives would show that Finn suggested this to me a while back. Guess I should have listened.

If I'm close to staying under 210, I could consider using a 160 degree thermostat. I know I've seen one of those before, but I can't find it listed anywhere at the moment.

Bill- I'm using a custom made Howe radiator with an oil/water heat exchanger built into each tank. I have the oil plumbed in series with the exchangers, such that it goes through the hot tank first, then the cooler tank. After the second exchanger, it goes through a filter, then back to the engine. In thinking about this, I might be able to drill and tap a hole in the top of the spin on filter bracket for a temp sensor. I'll have to take a closer look at that.  My goal was to not have to have a separate air/oil cooler, but rest assured, the big ugly cowl has room for one if needed.

Rusty