<VV> Re: test of cooling system.

[Kirby Smith]

Bob:

I certianly agree that if the temperature kept rising the test should 
continue until stabilized or potential engine overheating mandated 
stopping.  I just have trouble imagining any thermal sink on the Corvair 
engine having a 5 hour time constant, even at minimal thermal input 
while idling.  And if the fan is inadequate at the thermal load of 70 
mph, I expect that one would observe continuous temperature creep well 
before 5 hours are up.  If the temperature didn't stabilize within 
one-half hour on the highway (correcting for inevitable ambient 
changes), I would doubt the suitability of the design, at least for my 
purposes.

I would prefer "judgmental" rather than "subjective."   :)

kirby

BobHelt at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 8/10/05 7:13:15 AM US Mountain Standard Time, 
> kirbyasmith at gwi.net writes:
> 
>> Isn't driving 300 miles, for even the fastest Corvair, much much longer
>> in duration than the thermal time constant of the engine, even with
>> significant external air flow?  I would think it sufficient to drive at
>> most an hour under each of the desired test conditions.
>>
>> kirby
>>
> Hi Kirby,
> Well, this is certainly subjective. You are assuming that the temps will 
> stabilize at some point. How long does it take for the temperature to 
> stabilize on a high speed run? Maybe an hour like you say. Maybe.
> 
> But what if the temperatures do not stabilize, but gradually creep up, 
> just a little; but keep going up ever so slowly? What if they are still 
> creeping up at the end of an hour, but still not to the overheat point? 
> Should we terminate the test then? I say NO. We should try to determine 
> what the end result will be, but of courst NOT allow an overheat or a 
> cooking of the engine. Thus the target of 300 miles.
> 
> The problem is that we do not know what to expect with this cooling 
> system. Will temps stabilize at normal readings? Stabilize at higher 
> than normal? Never stabilize? Or what?
> 
> An hour just isn't enough in my opinion.
> 
> Regards,
> Bob Helt
>