In a message dated 9/25/2002 4:37:06 PM Central Daylight Time, marv@lancaironline.net writes:

Water cooling an aircraft engine makes about as much sense as air cooling a
submarine.

 

 

 >> Cute, but misses any point.   <<

 

Well, it may be cute, but, I submit it is also true, and, therefore,  does not miss the point.

 

 >> Controlling the temperature RANGE of engine components, such as cylinders, allows for much tighter tolerances and, thus, more efficiency. <<

 

The problem with the "... sloppy tolerance  =  inefficient engine"  argument is that the "sloppy",  "air-cooled" piston aircraft engines built for the last 45 years just happen to be routinely and substantially more efficient (BSFC ~ 0.385  aircraft  compared to   > 0.4xy  something,  water cooled automotive) than the engines that  Detroit or Japan, Inc. have been building for the last 20 years,  using tight tolerance water cooled components. 

 

Regards,  George