Gaps at Engine Baffle vs. Cowl Doubler (1967 F)

[bhtitle]

Good evening,

1967 F - I'm thinking of replacing my engine baffles before summer, in the hopes of getting a few more degrees worth of cooling.  When my upper cowl is installed, my aft baffle lays forward and sits flush with the "doubler" part of the upper cowl, but seems to leave gaps in the "channels" between the upper cowl doublers and surface.  Photo attached where you can see a horizontal shiny metal stripe where the aft baffle lays but doesn't wear on the higher up part.  At least when static there are visible gaps there since the baffle material is too rigid to conform neatly.

Do your baffles or cowl have any feature to help fill that gap?  My mechanic suggested either cutting an extension of the baffle material to fit the profile at those areas, or layering a second longer section of baffle behind the main baffle in those areas.  Or do you think the dynamic pressure in flight is strong enough to hold them all the way up and create a seal as-is?

Photos of anyone else's similar cowl+baffles with a report of typical summertime CHTs in climb+cruise would be a helpful reference, along with any ideas.  Thanks!

 

[Bryan G]

I have the ARI cowl, so my temps will be different than yours. Summertime the OAT at sea level is 110+, 120 mph gives me 375 in the climb and I usually see about 340-350 in cruise depending on how high I go. 

[67 m20F chump]

I bought the stamped ones Guy Ginby sold.  Much better fit.  I have used his baffles on 4 engines and been happy with them.  Good quality and fit.  Mine do sit in the same way yours do against the cowl.