So, a few years back I installed a non-thermostat protected oil cooler on
the TR3. It was the kind where the adaptor fit between the filter head and the
block. At the same time, I de-gunked the pressure relief valve in the filter
head and installed a 5 row high efficiency radiator core with no crank hole.
When I got on the road again I was amazed to find that the car has all kinds of
oil pressure, even on very hot days.
Low and behold, the oil cooler radiator began leaking badly this fall.
Perhaps I torqued on the hose and bent the welded aluminum cooler core. Maybe
the oil was thick, I revved the engine on startup and the pressure relief valve
didn't open. Who knows?
So, I took out the oil cooler adaptor and drove the car to work today so I
can pressure blast the engine compartment which is splattered in oil from the
leaking cooler. Before, with the cooler, it used to indicate 70 pounds oil
pressure on the way to work. Now it indicates 50 pounds. The only difference is
the removal of the oil cooler & adaptor.
What is causing the difference? Is the cooler providing resistence that
the oil pump has to pump against? Perhaps it is leaking past the pressure
relief valve. Maybe the cooler got blocked and the pressure against it caused
it to rupture.
Anyone have any ideas on this?
Bill Brewer
Tehachapi, CA
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