That set of fins that can be attached to your oil filter is an
interesting idea, but I wonder how good the implementation really is.
First, it can't be used on a filter in our stock location, since we
already have a clamp around the body.
Second: The idea of a heat sink, is to increase the surface area
available to dissipate the heat you are trying export. I'm not sure
that the 1/4 inch fins described really provide that much more area
than the body of the filter. Still, it is SOME more area. Which
brings us to the second part of the problem. For this scheme to have
a chance of working, you need a really intimate contact between the
filter body and the fins. The least little microscopic air gap will
act as a barrier to the transfer of heat. When we attach electronic
components to a heat sink, we use a thermal grease on the mating
surfaces to fill the gaps and assure the best possible heat transfer.
Something like this grease would be needed between the fins and the
filter. The grease I'm familiar with is really messy to use, and
cleans up about as easily as that Permatex silver anti-seize goo. If
you think oil changes are messy now............
Third, the filter has to be located where it can get some good
airflow, the cooler the better.
I know when I put my electric fan in, I really wanted to believe it
made a difference. I interpreted every real or imagined downward
twitch of the temp gauge as a victory. But, as the really hot weather
set in, it became clear that nothing had changed, and the temperatures
were going as high as ever. It would be wonderful if something this
simple could make a difference, but let's wait until the end of the
summer to decide.
Stu
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