what's the general consensus on removing the oil cooler?

[gregnash]

Ok so the oil cooler actually has coolant in it, not oil. I have an oil leak in that area and at first I thought one of the hoses was leaking oil but was not sure. Guess I will have to look at the other areas like where the oil filter housing attaches to the block and/or the oil pressure sending unit (which I think is going out anyways).

 

[Output Shaft]

I have an oil leak in that area

The oil cooler is a heat exchanger. It has both coolant and motor oil inside it but they are separated from each other. The coolant flows through the labyrinth inside the oil cooler in one path, the oil in another. Heat is exchanged this way sort of like a radiator, except coolant is used instead of air.

The primary suspect for an oil cooler leak is the two back O'rings that seal it to it's bracket. 15710B in the picture below.
Easy to replace. If those are replaced, it would be a good idea to replace the two copper washers 15710C too.
The oil cooler is held on to it's bracket by the two big hollow hex bolts.

 

[Ridge Runner]

The oil cooler is held on to it's bracket by the two big hollow hex bolts.

Called banjo bolts. Just an FYI.

 

[gregnash]

So basically if the oil cooler is the culprit then it would be coming from the Banjo bolts (thanks @Ridge Runner).
Looks like I am going to have to pay a visit to the coin wash and clean that area a bit to see what is leaking where.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

car wash is a grand tool...if you end up pulling those bolts to replace the washers and orings, have them drilled and tapped for 1/8"NPT by a machinist. put a plug in one and you sender for the mechanical pressure gauge in the other.... there is also the dipstick tube right there, and it can leak too, at least mine is, since the rebuild(grrr.) whatever you do, do NOT loosen or remove the 2 bolts in the block behind the oil cooler...