If you don't have a seal around the crank extension where it passes through the forward end of the cowling, it is possible for the high pressure plenum air to go forward around it and flow through the cowling-spinner gap. When it does this it is passing radially-outward and interferes with the smooth flow from the spinner, resulting in turbulence and increasing drag. By increasing the diameter of the cowling by 3/4" behind the spinner and putting a 3/8" radius curve in it, air flowing out of the gap will be carried right around the radius by Coanda effect so that it will flow back over the cowling, eliminating this drag. This effect is also useful in the gap ahead of control surfaces. By increasing the thickness of the leading edge of a rudder, elevator, and aileron, and giving it a small radius, it will do several things. It will cause any air flowing through the gap to be turned to the rear, it will scrub off the boundary layer build-up, it will reduce control surface dead-band, and it will reduce flutter tendencies, especially if the added radius at the leading edge is blended in to the surface behind it so as to form a slight concave. A horizontal surface treated in the way can have its drag reduced by as much as 10%!