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Re: Oil coolers and rocker feeders

To: Ted Schumacher <tedtsimx@q1.net>
Subject: Re: Oil coolers and rocker feeders
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 08:31:05 -0700


Ted Schumacher wrote:
> 
> ok, here's my $.02 worh.  first on the coolers.  a cooler  used to compensate
> for an internal engine problem or a cooling system problem is not beneficial,
> it's a bandaid.  if all systems are good and you really have a high oil temp
> (drive the car hard for a few miles and immediately pull the filter and stick 
>a
> thermometer into the filter for oil temp) install a cooler.  we sell coolers 
>and
> lines but do not sell a pre-plumbed "kit"  the kit forces you to put the 
>cooler
> where somebody else deciced it needed to be.  also we caustion against using 
>the
> "sandwich" type cooler take-off that fits between the block adn the filter. 
>this
> puts the filter too close to the suspension upright and forces you to use a
> small filter. 

I'll second that!  However, it is difficult to find any other type being
sold by the "major" suppliers.  I'll bet you can tell us where we can
get a different type!  If you do use the sandwiched type, be
absolutely sure that the hoses are securely tied away from the steering
coupler.  Otherwise the coupler will chafe through the hose and the oil
comes out that place in a big hurry! (Don't ask how I know).

 a 10 row cooler is more than adequate for a street driven car
> even with perfomrance engine mods.  DO NOT BUY A USED OIL COOLER!!!!!  since 
>it
> is not possible to clean out a cooler completely - it's aluminum and cannot be
> "boiled" as you would boil a cast iron block - if the cooler had ever been on 
>an
> engine that had a blowup (bad rod bearing, broken piston, etc) the particles 
>are
> resting in the bottom of the cooler.  the oil flow carries these particles in
> suspension. when the engine was shut down, the particles fall to the bottom of
> the cooler.  rebuild the engine, start up and presto, the oil picks up the
> particles adn there goes the engine. remeber you are working with bearing
> clearances in the .0015" to .002" category. one .003" particle of aluminum 
>will
> wipe out a bearing.
> early spits had a "windage tray stock. this was a piece of fine screen for 
>lack
> of a better description that filled the area over the deep portion of the pan.
> windage trays keep the oil from splashing up so the throws of the crankshaft
> will go through these sprays of oil this robs power. example, for $16 you can
> buy a windage tray for a big block dodge. installation gives 12 hp increase 
>on a
> dyno just because the crank does not encounter the drag of fighting its way
> through the oil spray. remeber, the engine becomes an air pum in the oil pan
> from the force of the pistons moving down and pushing a volume of air into the
> pan.  very similar to being is a subway statiion andyou can feel the air
> arriving before you see the train.  ted

Very good assessment Ted!

Joe


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"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
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