Hey everyone, I'm new to Aviation, I'm a low time pilot of maybe 150-160 TT (all tailwheel minus 10 hours). Obviously my aircraft experience is very limited. I'm a mechanic by trade (although I'm not an A&P) but I try to use my mechanical common sense. That's the only way I've been able to afford flying so far. I own an RV8 with a Carb O360-A1A 180HP. My plane was completed in 2003. I have a few questions that have come up in the past 24 hours regarding not only my airplane but my friends newly acquired RV8 as well.
My RV8 when built was kept with warm weather climate in mind. The airplane was built in South Louisiana and now lives in South Mississippi. My RV has an oversized oil cooler with oil temps averaging 165-180* on hot summer days. My CHT's are usually around 275* on average but seeing anywhere from 250-300* at cruise is typical. I rarely see anything over 300* (take off only) I dial in my EGT's around 1300*. My average fuel burn is 8GPH. (I dont have a fuel flow meter yet)
My friend recently picked up an RV8 with an IO360, Fuel injected, 200HP with Port matched Cylinders from Lycon. His head temps on take off hit 415* and when leveled off for cruise came down to 368*. His oil temps were between 195*-215* (215* temps on takeoff and climb). He was leaning his engine to roughly 1300* egt's. His fuel burn ranged from 9.5-10.5 GPH with climb burn of 12+ gph.
Now here's the question, are my engine temps too cool/can I run my engine a little hotter? Are his temps a little high? What are the Normal temps of your average RV? Were both inexperienced with RV's and are curious to find an answer. Obviously no RV8 is identical but it's something we're both pondering. Any help or information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks! - Gabe
My RV8 when built was kept with warm weather climate in mind. The airplane was built in South Louisiana and now lives in South Mississippi. My RV has an oversized oil cooler with oil temps averaging 165-180* on hot summer days. My CHT's are usually around 275* on average but seeing anywhere from 250-300* at cruise is typical. I rarely see anything over 300* (take off only) I dial in my EGT's around 1300*. My average fuel burn is 8GPH. (I dont have a fuel flow meter yet)
My friend recently picked up an RV8 with an IO360, Fuel injected, 200HP with Port matched Cylinders from Lycon. His head temps on take off hit 415* and when leveled off for cruise came down to 368*. His oil temps were between 195*-215* (215* temps on takeoff and climb). He was leaning his engine to roughly 1300* egt's. His fuel burn ranged from 9.5-10.5 GPH with climb burn of 12+ gph.
Now here's the question, are my engine temps too cool/can I run my engine a little hotter? Are his temps a little high? What are the Normal temps of your average RV? Were both inexperienced with RV's and are curious to find an answer. Obviously no RV8 is identical but it's something we're both pondering. Any help or information is greatly appreciated.
Thanks! - Gabe
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