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Engine Oil Cooler.


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Now that I have my suspension sorted and the brakes are getting done in the next week or two, I am moving on to the next step in my towing preparedness and I am contemplating an oil cooler.  I am mainly just seeing if anybody has bothered to install one, and if so what method was used and how big of a cooler did you go with?  Mainly my plan is to be able to tow my other vehicle around to a couple of shops and then to some tracks here and there.  While I don't live in the mountains, we do have a fair amount of hills here, so I am concerned about trying to keep everything cool and happy.

My plan was to get a sandwich plate for the filter and run a remote thermostat with maybe a 19 row cooler (undecided on size).  I have been toying with a remote filter as well as I hate filters that point down (messy), but trying to find a convenient location for it may prove a small challenge. 

Like I said before, just seeing what/how anybody else may have run their setup and what size/type of cooler did you go with.   I may end up going with a stock oil cooler from an Expedition or Explorer with a tow package.  They use a bar and plate style cooler that is pretty decently sized and 2" thick.  Plus I can get one at the bone yard for pretty cheap and just clean it up.

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So I have started to put together my engine oil cooler setup. I decided to try and do this on a budget of around $100 total. 
Thanks to my work I managed to get s sandwich plate for free ( we get awards points we can turn into gift cards and stuff ). And it is the right diameter to seal to the housing and the oil filter.  The fittings that come on it are kind of crap quality, so I plan on using better aftermarket stuff like Summit Brand.  It comes with the right center adapters for the Renix and HO oil filters, so it should work with both.

Sandwich plate.http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Temperature-Sandwich-Filter-Adapter/dp/B00OPUL7CQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1457546643&sr=1-1&keywords=Universal+1%2F2+NPT+Oil+Temperature+Sandwich+Plate+Filter+Adapter+-+M10x1.5+%28Silver%29

I picked up an oil cooler from the pick-a-part for $11.  It's a factory stacked plate unit from a Ford E350 passenger van  It's a pretty good sized unit, 11 center rows and about 8" x 14" x 1.5" thick with 3/8" hose barb fittings.  I've cleaned it out with some Seafoam and fixed a couple of the fins, but it is in great shape.  From what I have seen it should fit between the grille and the AC Condenser.

I just need to get some hose barb fittings, hose, some metal tubing, and an oil thermostat. I want to use as little rubber hose as possible, mainly between the engine and body (Thermostat mount) to allow for movement, and to connect to the cooler since it has hose barb ends just to prevent possible leaks due to any rubbing or damage.   Then I should be able to plan out install and routing.

If there is any interest, I could do a write up on it.

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pretty neat idea. so I'm assuming your also putting a gauge in to monitor temp if your putting a thermostat in, right? if so would it be possible for you to first bypass the cooler to see what initial temps are vs post cooler.

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The thermostat is being installed to regulate flow to the coil cooler so that the oil can actually warm up in colder temps.  Once the oil reaches 180 degrees the thermostat opens and lets oil circulate to the oil cooler.   I would like to have an oil temp gauge installed, but that will be for a later date for budget reasons, but I do want one because I would like to keep track of things.  Most likely this one http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Meter-3347-Sport-Comp-Temperature/dp/B00062YWWE/ref=sr_1_15?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1457718401&sr=1-15

Just gotta find a place for it.

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Subscribed, I'm on the same boat as far as keeping my oil cool/increasing capacity and relocating the filter to avoid making a mess during oil changes, thanks for the link on that adapter I'll be buying one myself. I've already purchased the Moroso oil pan part number 27862  http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-27862and a Sealed Power high flow oil pump and pickup http://www.summitracing.com/parts/slp-224-43505 ( Tip- this is the exact same thing as the Melling pump which is also the exact pump sold by Mopar Performance at a  cheaper price). I know this may seem overkill to some but oh well It's my truck and my money :D . All this caused by a leaking oil pan gasket :yes: , perfect example of " while I'm in there I should,,,,,"

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If you want to relocate the filter you will probably want to go with a different plate/adapter than the one I used.  I May relocate at a different time, but the one I have is just a sandwich plate that goes between the housing and the filter.

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True I didn't think about that, I have this relocation kit laying around http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g4985-1/overview/in the garage, I'll see if I can use it and I might just hook up an in line cooler as well and replace the rubber hoses with steel braided line and add some AN fittings, the pan already adds 1.25/1.50 quarts so I don't want to add too much more to the system.

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That's the one I was looking at when I wanted to relocate the filter. The biggest challenge is figuring out where to fit the filter.

Agreed, that's why I haven't done it, I bought it years ago and had a quick look under the truck but realized it would be a lot more difficult than I had originally thought. I've thought about installing it under the hood somewhere but it would be a tight fit and would make it look even more cramped, guess I may just keep the filter where it is and use brake cleaner to clean up the mess after every oil change.

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What about getting an adapted flange of another style 4.0. For example. My 91MJ has it vertical facing down. But my 95XJ had it sideways facing back. And my 00TJ is sideways right on the block. All threads are the same. So you should be able to swap around from the junk yard

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They also make a custom gauge cluster that goes where the clock panel is. And one below the ash tray depending on your center console.

 

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=231549427979&alt=web

 

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=231516181595&alt=web

Oh sweet, I didn't know about those. Thanks!

 

As per the filter adapter, I did consider it, and partly because it would make routing the hoses a little bit easier.  

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