Oil Cooler With V8 Swap?

[wtmtnterror]

The TBI motor that I'm using in my 40 has oil cooler lines that come off the oil filter bracket. My question is do I need this setup? Anyone else running these on a TPI or TBI motor? And where did you put the cooler? I have been searching, just not finding anything specific.

 

[bandy rooster]

yes i will be running a oil cooler, the one i pull off the donor truck is the one i'll be using and it will mount the cooler to the front of the radiator with some brackets...

 

[wantatlc]

I have a Chevy 350 in mine, no oil cooler, and I am curious, what is its purpose exaclty and why would you need one in the first place?

 

[bigbluefj]

oil cooler

it keep's the oil temp down afew degree's if you have trouble with over heating...

 

[wantatlc]

if you have trouble with over heating...

so, are you refering to the engine temp overheating (water) and an oil cooler helps that where a radiator and thermastat should be doing it?

or are you saying you actually monitor the oil temp and try to control that temp?

this is new to me, just wanted the education on them as I have no oil temp gauge, just oil pressure gauge.

 

[Rice]

You would be fine without it, however, I'm one of those who always advises using one. Oil is the only fluid in direct contact with the bearings and is therefore the primary means of keeping bearings cool. If it were a towing rig I wouldn't dream of not having a cooler.

That said I've never been too fond of the adapters GM uses at their oil filters. Without fail all the OEM units I've had leaked. Canton Racing makes a very good sandwich adapter that has never leaked on me. Be sure to use top quality hose.

Rice

 

[camcruiser13]

who needs um?

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I have a Chevy 350 in mine, no oil cooler, and I am curious, what is its purpose exaclty and why would you need one in the first place?

It's not an issue in my wheeling rig. In my tow rig the oil is hot enough to cook with even when the water temps are in normal operating range. Oil is what cools the bearings. Keeping the oil cool is pretty important for that.

Wheeling rig = '89 TBI 350 in a 40
Tow rig = '93 TBI 350 in a GMC 3500 Vandura cube van

Nick

 

[Medusa]

I run the OEM oil cooler lines on all three of Vortec-powered Cruisers. I use a small aftermarket auto-tranny cooler mounted in front of the radiator. In addition to cooling the oil, they also increase the volume of oil, which also helps to dissipate heat. Worth it in my opinion.

 

[wantatlc]

what is the story on those oil cooler collars that just wrap around the oil filter and are designed like a heat sink? bunk or real?

 

[TLCSKULLS]

what is the story on those oil cooler collars that just wrap around the oil filter and are designed like a heat sink? bunk or real?QUOTE]

I hgave one that one of my kids gave me for Father's day. I kind have to leave it on. I have not noticed any change in temps...bunk

 

[fyresq]

bringin an old thread back to life......I am getting ready to throw my 89 TBI in the 40 and noticed that the stock oil filter bracket with cooler lines puts the filter at a 45 deg angle towards the frame horizontally rather than straight down like most SBC's. Has anybody got this stock one to clear the frame? Any pictures?

 

[Rice]

bringin an old thread back to life......I am getting ready to throw my 89 TBI in the 40 and noticed that the stock oil filter bracket with cooler lines puts the filter at a 45 deg angle towards the frame horizontally rather than straight down like most SBC's. Has anybody got this stock one to clear the frame? Any pictures?

Great build thread. Nice work.

I didn't see any pics of what you're up against but it sounds like you have 2 options:

1. Use a "shorty" style filter if it will clear.
2. May have to mount a remote filter.

 

[fyresq]

Thank You!

My 89 TBI oil filter with cooling lines WILL NOT fit between my frame rails. I got lucky and got a standard SBC oil filter mount (straight down) style from a buddy at his machine shop and will initially run without a cooler although I do plan to get an aftermarket like the one above. Just don't want to wait to put the motor in. I'm gonna start fitting tomorrow........

 

[TLCHopII]

what is the story on those oil cooler collars that just wrap around the oil filter and are designed like a heat sink? bunk or real?

My TPI with headers would turn that aluminum thang into a very effective oil heater!