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Low Tailwheel rider

Member
Elected to place my oil cooler on the rear baffle, left side. "Beefing" up corners with angle and a doubler around the cutout for the cooler face. I would like to add a bracket to support the inboard corner of the baffle. (This is a baffle kit from Van's.) Would be similar to the bracket Van's provides from the top engine spline to the overlap of the center rear baffle pieces. My question is regarding a suitable anchor place for the bracket I will fabricate which will be attached to the baffle corner I want to support.
Any issue with going to the engine mount as an anchor? I've seen some using the pushrod tube with cushion clamp...not keen on that. Is their any issue with relative motion between the engine and baffles also being attached to the engine mount via a bracket? Lots of words, here's a couple pics showing my two ideas as options. The bracket is not the one I intend to use, but gives you an idea of what I'm trying to figure out and execute. Thanks for all thoughts and input. Dave
baffle bracket to engine mount.jpgbaffle bracket to pushrod tube.jpg
 
1000000027.jpgI added an angle bracket along the rear baffle. I found this suggestion on this forum. This stiffens things up quite a lot. I also added a doubler to the left rear baffle. This is on a Tailwind, but I'm using the Vans baffle and Vans oil cooler. I only have 160 hours, but so far so good. I would not mount to the engine mount.
 
Skelrad has the right idea - there or over to the engine case … there is a tapped boss between cylinders that works well. Cylinder heads actually move around quite a bit, so I like the engine boss - but many people go to the cylinder heads. I would NOT recommend going to the engine mount - the relative motion between the engine and mount is huge - you’ll tear you baffles off pretty fast if you go that route….
 
Ref rzbiill post from 2011 updated 2025, perhaps what OP is referencing when he says "I added an angle bracket along the rear baffle. I found this suggestion on this forum.”

IMO rzbill is an elegant solution and no corner reinforcement required.

Oil Cooler Bracket Separated

What would be the best way to repair this. The bracket that attaches the oil cooler has separated. Actually the baffles on both sides were cracked in a couple of places because they were joined together at both cylinder heads, and there was no expansion joint. Any ideas on a sturdier way to...
vansairforce.net

Definitely a bad/terrible idea to connect engine baffle to engine mount weldment, too much movement between engine/baffle assembly and engine mount weldment… rubber engine mounts between engine and engine mount weldment.
 
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maybe you're set on placing the oil cooler on the baffles as Van's promotes... but that is a bad idea, as they later found out themselves (ref the -14/-10 installation KAI).
Baffles are certainly not designed to support the mass of an oil cooler assy, and even when reinforced will crack given enough time. This installation also increases the mass of the engine itself, helping oscillation and vibrations retention once they appear.

A far better way is to install said oil cooler on the firewall (or engine mount as a 2nd choice) by using a couple of angle brackets, and a 2-3" Scat or Sceet hose from the rear baffle to the cooler.
There are plenty of examples of that type of installation on this distinguished forum, which you'll find using the search function.
 
Appreciate the replies and insights. I need to ponder things now! Tangential question... what's the benefit of picking up both parallel flanges of the oil cooler (front and back flanges) with long bolts and spacers versus using just one flange and single shorter bolt ? Disclaimer: Engineer by education many years ago, pilot by trade :cool:
 
Dan 57 said:
maybe you're set on placing the oil cooler on the baffles as Van's promotes... but that is a bad idea, as they later found out themselves (ref the -14/-10 installation KAI).
Baffles are certainly not designed to support the mass of an oil cooler assy, and even when reinforced will crack given enough time. This installation also increases the mass of the engine itself, helping oscillation and vibrations retention once they appear.

A far better way is to install said oil cooler on the firewall (or engine mount as a 2nd choice) by using a couple of angle brackets, and a 2-3" Scat or Sceet hose from the rear baffle to the cooler.
There are plenty of examples of that type of installation on this distinguished forum, which you'll find using the search function.
Click to expand...
You’re not wrong but any change from plans adds build time exponentially. Also, I noticed a pic above with the oil cooler shutter. I have installed a few of them but they all ended up removed in the end. I find most planes don’t need them. Just adds weight, complexity, and another potential cause of high oil temps. It’s very easy to add to a flying aircraft.
 
Low Tailwheel rider said:
Appreciate the replies and insights. I need to ponder things now! Tangential question... what's the benefit of picking up both parallel flanges of the oil cooler (front and back flanges) with long bolts and spacers versus using just one flange and single shorter bolt ? Disclaimer: Engineer by education many years ago, pilot by trade :cool:
Click to expand...
I’ve actually analyzed it (I am an engineer - but not THAT kind of engineer….) but the oil cooler flanges are lightweight aluminum and you’re hanging a quart of oil off of them. I have seen cracks at the mounting holes on many worn out coolers - vibration from mounting it just by the single flange would likely destroy it pretty quickly. Using the spacer and long bolts picks up the far side of the cooler making for more of a “box” structurally, spreading the load and probably stiffening things up a bit.
 
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