Typically piston engines run a tad more efficiently with a higher
 > coolant temperature as there is less energy lost to the cooling jacket;
 > so we might like 180 thermostat as long as there aren't any overheating
 > problems.  Is the rotary different?

On a hot day, without a thermostat, the water tends to run between 175 and
185. I Said that the water temp kills the power but Mr. Drummond actually
said it is the oil temp that causes the problem, although they are connected.
As far as the incoming mixture hitting the hot rotor I suppose that limits
the amount of charge that can be trapped once it starts to absorb heat from
the rotor. Since you want the oil cooling the rotor and not the incoming
charge. The other factor is the large amount of sliding surfaces requiring
lubrication. A bit sluggish at lower temps.
Lynn E. Hanover

        Lynn,

         Would keeping the rotor cooler make the case for coating the rotor
    face with a Hi-temp ceramic as some have done? Your opinion!

        Kelly Troyer

 
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