Paul Eastham
Well Known Member
Hey all,
I've got a frustrating problem with my oil cooler. First I carefully cut away the flanges near the engine mounts, that went fine. Then put in the first (steel) AN fitting: turned 3 revolutions by hand and another half-turn to the proper clocking, no problem. Second (steel) AN fitting: it turns in 1 revolution then comes to a dead stop. HARD. I can keep pushing but I'm pretty sure I'm just moving a burr around in there somewhere. I am using the provided Loctite sealer, of course.
On inspection I can barely see a very tiny flaw or cut on the face of one of the threads which might be causing the problem. Tried to smooth it out a little with a dental pick, no improvement. I've tried other fittings to rule out a problem on the fitting itself -- no joy.
This is the stock-from-Van's Aero-Classics cooler for O-320. Since I've already gone through the trouble of modifying it, is there an easy and safe way to fix it up, or should I beg Van's to send me a replacement? If they won't pay for it, is a rethread/overhaul much cheaper than getting a new one?
Thanks for any thoughts,
Paul
I've got a frustrating problem with my oil cooler. First I carefully cut away the flanges near the engine mounts, that went fine. Then put in the first (steel) AN fitting: turned 3 revolutions by hand and another half-turn to the proper clocking, no problem. Second (steel) AN fitting: it turns in 1 revolution then comes to a dead stop. HARD. I can keep pushing but I'm pretty sure I'm just moving a burr around in there somewhere. I am using the provided Loctite sealer, of course.
On inspection I can barely see a very tiny flaw or cut on the face of one of the threads which might be causing the problem. Tried to smooth it out a little with a dental pick, no improvement. I've tried other fittings to rule out a problem on the fitting itself -- no joy.
This is the stock-from-Van's Aero-Classics cooler for O-320. Since I've already gone through the trouble of modifying it, is there an easy and safe way to fix it up, or should I beg Van's to send me a replacement? If they won't pay for it, is a rethread/overhaul much cheaper than getting a new one?
Thanks for any thoughts,
Paul
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