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After several days of procrastination I finally removed the rads (A/C cores), drilled new bigger holes in the tank end plates and cut off the existing tubes. I found a 1/4 tube going down the inlet tank and baffles in both tanks which I removed and drilled through. Now inlets are about 1/2" ID (5/8" ID tube and hose) and outlet about 5/8" ID (3/4" ID tube and hose). Rads are plumbed in parallel. First time around the welder left about 8 pin holes and a hole between tank seams. He fixed the 8 pin holes and I closed the seam hole with JB-Weld. I remounted the rads (required rerouting of hoses and making room in the inlet ducts for the new in/out-let tubes. Did multiple engine runs to make sure all air in system had been purged.
Procrastinated a couple of day over whether I should first replace the input shaft oil seal and fuel seep near fuel regulator.
Finally this fairly cool morning (50 deg F) I worked up the courage to do a test flight.
Now I'm seeing about 17 deg F liquid (coolant) delta over right radiator and about 12 deg F over left rad. Almost half of my previous numbers. So, yes the in/out-lets in the rads were way, way too restrictive.
I think the difference between the left and right rads is the airflow. Part of the inlet area is taken by inlet to engine air intake. I also have intake plenum box and exhaust manifold fairly close to the back of the left rad which must be hindering the airflow out of the rad somewhat.
Didn't dare to do a full power run for long so didn't let it accelerate to stable airspeed at full throttle. I think I've got a prop imbalance that needs to be addressed. Did not see a significant temp rise. In other words, as air speed picked up the increased airflow through the rads could handle the increased heat load. 144 mph at 3,000'. If the fuel flow is reasonably accurate, that would be about 144 HP. Not sure how that fits with 5,600 RPM. (This was a 30.6"Hg morning.) As you can see, no gear leg fairings nor wheel pants yet.
I probably should also relocate and better calibrate my temp sensors. Also time to order pressure sensors to check rad inlet ducts pressure recovery.
I guess it's time to remove the PSRU and replace the input shaft seal. Also need to remove my fuel regulator (located near right floorboard) and fix small leak at unused port :(
At least I'm now fairly confident I won't overheat during takeoff on a 60 to 70 deg F morning.
Finn
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