Heartland

My Feedback: (9)

I got a fiberglass cowl for my Dynaflite Decathlon, which I have yet to build. I plan on using a gas engine, mounted inverted. I'd hate to have to cut out a big hole in the front of the cowl for cooling. I know the Dynaflite isn't THAT scale to begin with, but I would still like to preserve the cowl lines as much as possible. Would it be possible to just cut out the scale inlets on either side of the spinner and use baffles to direct the air over the cylinder and out the bottom? Besides, that cowl was expensive, and I'd hate to have to cut so much of it away. Thanks!

-Aaron

FLYBOY

My Feedback: (11)

I used the stock one on my PT-19 and there wasn't even close to enough airflow in there. All you can do is try what you want to do and if it doesn't work, make the holes bigger. Make sure the exits are big enough too.

Heartland

My Feedback: (9)

I know what you mean about exit holes. If those aren't bigger than the intake holes, air piles up in there and drag goes up. I thought that if I made sure there was a good seal between the baffles and the cowl so that ALL the air that came in the cowl was directed over the cylinder it would work. In many cases baffled engines cool better than those with cylinders just sticking out in the breeze. Look at full size airplanes. For six cylinders and 300 C.I., there doesn't seem to be much area on the intake holes. But the baffles have seals against the cowls so that no air leaks by and all of it gets blown over the cylinders.

Thanks,
Aaron