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Oil cooler question,

Posted by TheYoungOne

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Oil cooler question, #1
TheYoungOne Robert Murrant Derbyshire, United Kingdom	Posted: February 18, 2012 03:13PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 26

Good Evening everyone,

i'm currently installing my new 22 inch radiator to replace my battered 16 inch rad, but
my spit had an oil cooler fitted before i got it. this is going to have to move as the
electric fan wants to sit where the oil cooler pipes are,

Can the oil cooler be fitted with the pipes at the bottom or do they need to go on top?
and is the oil pump strong enough to force the oil through it if i have to mount it a
little higher or further away than at the bottom of the normal radiator?

Thanks,
Rob

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Re: Oil cooler question, #2
spitlist Joe Curry Sahuarita, AZ, USA 1963 Triumph Spitfire 4 (MkI) "Tiny Tim" 1963 Triumph Spitfire 4 (MkI) "Huxley"	Posted: February 18, 2012 03:20PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 3,293

I can't see why you would need an oil cooler in the UK. I live in southern AZ where it gets as hot as the 120's and I took my oil cooler off and have not had any problems after doing so.

Joe

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Re: Oil cooler question, #3
TheYoungOne Robert Murrant Derbyshire, United Kingdom	Posted: February 18, 2012 03:30PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 26

ok cheers joe,
i was wondering if it really needed it, because the radiator will cool the engine enough, so i dont think it would be needed, but if it means i need to buy extra things to return it to standard i may as well leave it on somewhere.

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Re: Oil cooler question, #4
GT6Steve Steve Smith North Las Vegas, USA 1969 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 1970 Triumph GT6+ (MkII) "##$%%@&*"	Posted: February 18, 2012 03:32PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 461

Hi Bob,

I've gotta agree with Joe. I live in the Mojave desert and don't have oil coolers on the street cars. I have a big one on the racer.

That said, the pipes MUST feed from the top or if it's mounted vertically it MUST feed from the bottom to evacuate trapped air. A horizontal bottom fed cooler will likely be 2/3 air at the top with just a small stream of oil across the bottom few rows.

The GT6 pump will feed it all adequately on a normally driven road car. Once you get past 5500 RPM consistently, well we gotta talk....

Steve

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens

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Re: Oil cooler question, #5
spitfire50 Paul Mugford N.H., USA 1966 Triumph Spitfire MkII	Posted: February 18, 2012 06:58PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,222

Robert,
Removing the oil cooler shouldn't involve you in buying anything except possibly an adaptor for the oil filter if you have a Spitfire. Simply un-do the sandwich plate from the block, screw in the adaptor and screw on a new filter. A Gt6 would be more involved though...
Best of luck,
Paul

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Re: Oil cooler question, #6
jasz Al Jaszcar Greenwood, SC, USA 1980 Triumph 1500 "Jaz's Spitfire"	Posted: February 18, 2012 07:37PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 98

A cautionary note here though.

I have a 1980 Spitfire with a Performance Header from Moss Motors and a Monza Exhaust system. The header runs right down along side the block and the exhaust runs right by the oil pan.

I was having problems with low oil pressure and couldn't figure it out until I used a thermal sensor and found the the oil was 245 degrees when the engine reached operating temperature due to the exhaust system being so close to the oil pan.

I installed an oil cooler and now I have normal oil pressure and the oil runs a lot cooler - Less than 200 degrees.

Oil pressure prior to oil cooler: Idle - 2-5 lbs, 3000rpm oil pressure = 20 lbs

Oil pressure after oil cooler install: Idle = 20 lbs, 3000rpm oil pressure between 45 and 50 lbs.

Using 20W-50 oil.

Good luck

Jaz
www.jazphotos.com

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Re: Oil cooler question, #7
TheYoungOne Robert Murrant Derbyshire, United Kingdom	Posted: February 20, 2012 12:34PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 26

Cheers for that guys!

but jaz if mine's just a standard 1500 with nothing special on it should be fine in the UK where it barely gets to 30ºC (86ºF)?
i've got a 14" electric fan and 22" radiator so that'll be more cooling than standard?

Cheers,
Rob

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Re: Oil cooler question, #8
jasz Al Jaszcar Greenwood, SC, USA 1980 Triumph 1500 "Jaz's Spitfire"	Posted: February 20, 2012 01:09PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 98

And a 160 degree thermostat and you should be fine. I just offered the info in case you had upgraded.

Jaz
www.jazphotos.com

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Re: Oil cooler question, #9
TheYoungOne Robert Murrant Derbyshire, United Kingdom	Posted: February 22, 2012 11:03AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 26

Jaz,

I'm looking to upgrade in a few years when I have a couple pennies saved up, and insurance isn't as ridiculous as I'm only 18 tongue sticking out smiley

Thanks,
Rob

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Re: Oil cooler question, #10
Jtlaraia James Laraia Wilmington, NC, USA 1972 Triumph Spitfire MkIV "Scarlett"	Posted: February 22, 2012 11:21AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 557

In reply to # 725664 by TheYoungOne Jaz,

I'm looking to upgrade in a few years when I have a couple pennies saved up, and insurance isn't as ridiculous as I'm only 18 tongue sticking out smiley

Thanks,
Rob

Im doing my upgrades slowly as well (im 18) insurance is a terrible hassle but hey the cars worth it. My opinion is with the other guys, rid yourself of the oil cooler, and put in the 160degree thermostat. With the bigger radiator your putting in it will help tremendously and make sure you have fifty weight oil. If you have the time though I would recommend pulling off the exhaust and heat wrapping it, its not to hard a job and that wrapping will keep the heat far away from the oil pan, Im getting ready to do it here myself. Cheers.

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