I find my Coupe to be very warm. Mine has had all openings sealed of from the
cockpit into the wing stubs. I have found it benefical to crack the opening
between the windows at the top, to falcilate heating. the air suction will help
pull warm air up.
The engines in our Coupes are not like automobile engines that used to have the
crank running through the oil sump. Our engines are made with oil tanks where
the oil is pumped into the engine. Putting the dipstick style heaters only heat
the oil, which is beneficial to oil flow on start up. Hot oil takes much of the
strain off the oil pump.
What is most bifocal to an aircraft engine is warm dry combustion chambers for
easier starts and taking loads off out starters. The highest drag in an
aircraft engine is between the pistons and cylinders when cold, due to thick
oil there and metal shrinkage when cold.
The optimum setup is having warm low friction combustion chambers and heated
oil to take the load and wear off our oil pumps. Also, like was stated earlier,
a heater in the cockpit keeps moisture from our electrical and instruments.
Several years ago, we had some problems with the dip stick heaters running too
hot, and burning the oil. This could be a problem if sump was not full of oil.
I go for the Tannis or Reif systems. Cylinders and oil. warming.
Socialism will eventually run out of other peoples money.
Gordon Smith (KJOT) Illinois
