anyone run an oil cooler?

[ObscureMachine]

Seems like it would help with long term life, but I'm not sure about the logistics.

Yes? No?

If yes, how and where do you run it?

 

[JAFO]

I just have an over sized oil pan so running 8 quarts of oil. And high volume oil pump.
I think frequent oil changes, not a lot of short trips (starting and stopping often) is what makes an engine last longer.

 

[bronconut73]

I ran one for years on other vehicles.
They really are a great idea and may help with overall engine cooling.
Mine were typically in the radiator airflow but I have seen quite a few attached to the drivers side fender with an integral fan on an eb. I was thinking of doing something similar....

 

[Rustytruck]

Yes I run an oil cooler under the hood on the drivers side fender well. It has a small fan mounted to it. I've run it for over 25 years now. I rarely turn the fan on. I cant tell you if it does anything for you or not. I use a sandwich adapter between the oil filter and the block. You have to use the shorter Motorcraft FL300 filter or Napa gold 1068 instead of the stock length Ford filter if you want to clear the Bronco frame.

It was put in when I chasing overheating issues while running in the desert in the summer time. I am still running my stock 1974 motor and have great oil pressure readings so it must do something.

 

[Viperwolf1]

I used the explorer oil cooler for about 9 years. Had to get rid of it due to a radiator swap.

 

[73azbronco]

Its not long term life but it will reduce heat in the motor. How much? ?????

 

[jckkys]

I ran a mid'80s police car oil cooler in front of the radiator like it was in the Crown Vic. The engine ran hotter than before or since I removed it. The frontal area of EB radiators is about 1/2 the Crown Vic radiator's area, so any blockage of incoming air cripples the cooling abillity. I may try remote coolers for both engine oil and transmission fluid, but I can't afford to put anything in front of the radiator where it often gets over 100 in the summer. For now the engine and transmission are doing OK. If I want to add AC, the condenser coil would also have to be mounted remotely. The good news is that EBs without AC are more comfortable than any non-AC car or truck I've driven, except my M38 Willys Jeep with no top.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Ran one for a while. Was playing with engine temps and tried taking it off. Never noticed a difference to water temps or how the engine ran.

The oil/water cooler is what I used and if you want to play with one, that is what I would recommend. That is how most new cars are. Not only is it a cooler, it is a warmer.

 

[ntsqd]

Some or all EFI 460's have an interesting remote cooler adapter. It also changes the angle of the filter to come straight up from the bottom as they're installed on those trucks. Note that to use one you need the block fitting too.

 

[sykanr0ng]

I ran a mid'80s police car oil cooler in front of the radiator like it was in the Crown Vic. The engine ran hotter than before or since I removed it. The frontal area of EB radiators is about 1/2 the Crown Vic radiator's area, so any blockage of incoming air cripples the cooling abillity. I may try remote coolers for both engine oil and transmission fluid, but I can't afford to put anything in front of the radiator where it often gets over 100 in the summer. For now the engine and transmission are doing OK. If I want to add AC, the condenser coil would also have to be mounted remotely. The good news is that EBs without AC are more comfortable than any non-AC car or truck I've driven, except my M38 Willys Jeep with no top.

The Crown Vic 351W police car oil coolers had a bigger 'radiator' than the ones used in 460 powered trucks.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I do remember issues with some performance cars running an oil to air coolers, especially in cooler weather. Can't get the oil warmed up. I've seen people go so far as to tape over the oil coolers when driving on the street. There are thermostat kits that can be used. But I just find them to be more plumbing fittings and more moving parts.

If you really think it might be a problem, I would start with putting a temp gauge in the oil. I really think most new cars that have oil coolers are really using them as oil warmers to get the bottom end of the engine warmed up quicker.

 

[Rustytruck]

That's why I put the cooler under the hood on the inner fender well. Its always warm under the hood of a Bronco.

 

[ntsqd]

Pretty simple to solve that issue. The Ford part I mentioned above appears to have a t-stat built-in. Can buy other adapters with that built-in or as a separate part: https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/keywordsearch.asp?KeywordStart=oil+thermostat Another source for the inline t-stat: http://www.batinc.net/thermos.htm I strongly do not recommend the hose barb style.