Success with Van's oil cooler shutter
Tired of pulling the cowl to install metal tape on the front of the oil cooler, I installed the cable operated oil cooler air control from Van's ($85). It's about 1/4" thick, and should be installed ahead of the oil cooler. Not behind. In my case, it's between the #4 cylinder rear baffle and oil cooler.
I used the normal size washers for AN3 bolts on both sides of the shutter with weather stripping. If you don't use washers between the cooler and shutter, the cooler will press on the moveable section of the shutter which makes it in-operable. I also had to get AN3 bolts from Aircraft Spruce that were 1/4" longer.
I have a cheap and light Autozone cable that goes to the panel for in cockpit operation. With todays flights at the 8500 - 10500 msl. level, and outside temperatures between 25 & 31F -------- I was able to maintain oil temps between 185 & 195 in cruise, depending on power settings. In a sustained climb with shutter fullly closed, the temp went up to 220, but I had the option of dropping it from the cockpit.
For today's flight, with the exception of seeing what opening the shutter a bit would do, I kept the shutter fully closed. In the past, I've taped over the cooler & left a small opening. The temps would usually run around 165 with that setup.
I do like the option of setting the shutter from the cockpit. Climb is a good reason, as well as flying into much warmer temps as I do between Utah and Arizona.
L.Adamson --- RV6A