Re: Cold weather ops

Geoffrey Clark · Post by **Geoffrey Clark** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:00 am

'The oil temperature in my PT26 (actually at PT19 converted) never gets into the green in even cool weather, like 36 degrees, so I am reluctant to fly it in really cold weather. According to Mark Denest, there was some sort of louver on the oil cooler of the "real" PT26's which was controllable from the cockpit. Does anyone know of: a PT26 that has this? Where I might be able to get the parts to install one? Drawings that I could use to fabricate one? Another work-around to keep the oil warm?
Do most folks continue to use 60 weight oil in the winter, or do they drop down to 50?
BTW, I have a heater pad on my oil tank which I use to get the oil really hot before starting, even in the summer. It saves a lot of time on the ground waiting for the temp to come up.
Thanks,
Jeff Clark'

Jamie Treat · Post by **Jamie Treat** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:04 am

'Jeff, I blocked off my oil cooler port in the winter with a chuck of foam. It would get to around 175 F. Ran 50 wt all the time. Local supplier never stocked 60 wt. Ran forced air heated air in the cowl for preheat. Kept it around 110F. JST From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com [mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Geoffrey Clark
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 9:00 AM
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [fairchildclub] Cold weather ops
The oil temperature in my PT26 (actually at PT19 converted) never gets into the green in even cool weather, like 36 degrees, so I am reluctant to fly it in really cold weather. According to Mark Denest, there was some sort of louver on the oil cooler of the "real" PT26's which was controllable from the cockpit. Does anyone know of: a PT26 that has this? Where I might be able to get the parts to install one? Drawings that I could use to fabricate one? Another work-around to keep the oil warm?
Do most folks continue to use 60 weight oil in the winter, or do they drop down to 50?
BTW, I have a heater pad on my oil tank which I use to get the oil really hot before starting, even in the summer. It saves a lot of time on the ground waiting for the temp to come up.
Thanks,
Jeff Clark'

Jamie Treat · Post by **Jamie Treat** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:24 am

'Chunk of foamJ JST From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com [mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jamie Treat
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 9:05 AM
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [fairchildclub] Cold weather ops Jeff, I blocked off my oil cooler port in the winter with a chuck of foam. It would get to around 175 F. Ran 50 wt all the time. Local supplier never stocked 60 wt. Ran forced air heated air in the cowl for preheat. Kept it around 110F. JST From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com [fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Geoffrey Clark
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 9:00 AM
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [fairchildclub] Cold weather ops
The oil temperature in my PT26 (actually at PT19 converted) never gets into the green in even cool weather, like 36 degrees, so I am reluctant to fly it in really cold weather. According to Mark Denest, there was some sort of louver on the oil cooler of the "real" PT26's which was controllable from the cockpit. Does anyone know of: a PT26 that has this? Where I might be able to get the parts to install one? Drawings that I could use to fabricate one? Another work-around to keep the oil warm?
Do most folks continue to use 60 weight oil in the winter, or do they drop down to 50?
BTW, I have a heater pad on my oil tank which I use to get the oil really hot before starting, even in the summer. It saves a lot of time on the ground waiting for the temp to come up.
Thanks,
Jeff Clark'

Joe Preston · Post by **Joe Preston** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:14 pm

' This is a little off topic but close. For those with the Warner powered airplanes, I have a winter cowl for sale that fits to the front of the engine and blocks the air. It is round and mounts to the thrust washer studs. In case anyone is interested, let me know and I will send pictures. Joe From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com [mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Geoffrey Clark
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 11:00
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [fairchildclub] Cold weather ops
The oil temperature in my PT26 (actually at PT19 converted) never gets into the green in even cool weather, like 36 degrees, so I am reluctant to fly it in really cold weather. According to Mark Denest, there was some sort of louver on the oil cooler of the "real" PT26's which was controllable from the cockpit. Does anyone know of: a PT26 that has this? Where I might be able to get the parts to install one? Drawings that I could use to fabricate one? Another work-around to keep the oil warm?
Do most folks continue to use 60 weight oil in the winter, or do they drop down to 50?
BTW, I have a heater pad on my oil tank which I use to get the oil really hot before starting, even in the summer. It saves a lot of time on the ground waiting for the temp to come up.
Thanks,
Jeff Clark '

clark.geoffrey · Post by **clark.geoffrey** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:42 pm

'
Thanks Jamie:
Does the chunk block the port completely? Seems like a great simple solution.

Jeff'

Jamie Treat · Post by **Jamie Treat** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:10 pm

'It did block the entire inlet. JST From: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com [mailto:fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gecgaspa@cocked-hat.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2014 11:42 AM
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [fairchildclub] RE: Cold weather ops
Thanks Jamie:
Does the chunk block the port completely? Seems like a great simple solution.

Jeff'

basinaviation · Post by **basinaviation** » Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:55 am

'Hi Jeff, I had similar problems here in Oregon in the winter time. I live at 4100' elevation and it remains cold for a long time. I installed a louvered door like Joe mentioned installed on my PT19. ( found the contraption in the "box of goodies" that followed the airplane around from owner to owner.). Ill try to get you a few pics. It does help me regulate oil temps while flying. I didn't like the idea of totally blocking the air intake. If it were to overheat, there was no quick way to unblock the port while flying. (If I leave my door closed off, it will get up to red line.)Now that I fly in the cold, a heater would be nice

David Junker541-331-7290'

GECMFC Clark · Post by **GECMFC Clark** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:24 am

'HI David:

I'm sure everyone in the group would find it helpful if you could post some pictures of the louvered door. Is it shown on any of the factory blueprints?

Thanks,

Jeff Clark
gecgaspa@cocked-hat.com'

basinaviation · Post by **basinaviation** » Mon Mar 03, 2014 7:55 pm

'Jeff,I only got the first part of your email. Send an email to basinaviation@yahoo.com and I'll send what I have. It's kinda hard to see much now that it's installed but I think you'll get the idea. I couldn't find it on the cd drawings either. I understand it was used on the Canadian birds but I could be starting a rumor. I do know it works well.Dave.'