Oil cooler worth it? LArger oil pan also...

[Boss 351]

I was wondering about an engine oil cooler and one of those large 7qt oil pans also... I'm not worried about the fit since I have a D&D Motorsports tubular K-member to install. Basically I just want the engine to have the best chances of surviving... well, *cough* me

 

[vristang]

An oil cooler is worth the $ / effort if your oil temps are too high.
That may seem to be stating the obvious, but most people add a cooler without checking what the oil temps are to start with.

Keep the oil between 200 to 240F (I will double check those numbers when I get home though).

jason

 

[R2D2]

worry about keeping the oil off the crank first

 

[srothfuss]

I ran the FRPP cooler on my convertible (when it was mine) because of the amount of time spent hammering the car on the back roads.

The easy things I noticed:

Longer oil life
More Consistant oil pressures
Less oil burn off

I did have an oil temp gauge hooked up but only after I did the cooler. I never got a chance (winter) to drive the car around with the gauge [and without the cooler.] I personally think they are very worth it.

 

[vristang]

Ideal oil temps have been listed as 200-230F.
Max most oils can handle is around 265F
Power is most likely lost over 240F
Engine should not be considered "warmed up" until 160F
Power will probably be lost below 180F as well

These are all OIL temps.
If you are seeing higher than around 230F on a regular basis, then it would be worthwhile to install a cooler.
The coolers that are temp controlled are the way to go.
I think the Ford cooler is temp controlled?


jason

 

[srothfuss]

Yes, in the sandwich adaptor of the FRPP cooler is a spring and ball (thermostatic spring) and it keeps the oil going to the right places all the time.