[Healeys] Oil cooler

[Chris Dimmock]

Fred, I really wouldn't worry about an oil cooler in a Healey road car.
If you have your heart set on it, then add an inline thermostat valve.
I had a Ford 1600 powered Lenham bodied Sprite many years ago. It had a 13 row
oil cooler and a temp guage with a sender in the sump.
Oil Temp guage never went over 160 deg F.......
Short answer was I added a thermostat valve to the oil line. I don't think the
valve ever actually opened, even on the track. And at least the oil finally
got to operating temp....
In a Big Healey, the oil temp on the road is fine, unless something else is
wrong. Lots and lots of oil to dissipate heat....
If you have a dry sump, and have reduced the oil volume dramatically, then yes
Fred, consider an oil cooler.
If its pretty stock, or even fast road, even in Sydney Australia, you won't
ever need an oil cooler based on oil temperature.
Put in an oil temp guage in your sump first, and see if I'm wrong.
Cold oil does far more damage than hot oil in road cars - adding an oil cooler
without a thermostat valve, and temp guage in the sump is a recipe for
increased wear. You need to be at operating temperature ASAP with oil.
Best
Chris

Sent from my iPhone

On 15/07/2013, at 10:10 AM, Fred Wescoe <fredwescoe at gmail.com> wrote:

> I am considering adding an oil cooler to my car.  Moss offers a package
> with SS lines and a 13 row radiator.  Moss also offers an installation kit
> (for less $) with rubber hoses and the cooler is separate.  The coolers are
> 10, 13, 16 and 19 row radiators.  I drive the car in 50 - 75 mile jaunts at
> speeds of 60 - 70 mph with some stop and go.  I do occasional spirited
> driving through the mountains, including long uphill climbs.  Sometimes the
> oil pressure will drop to 35 psi on the long hills and high speed as the
> car stays out of overdrive.  When the car drops back into overdrive, the
> pressure will hold at 40 psi at 3000 rpm.  The car will run about 200
> degrees on the uphill climbs.
>
> My questions really revolve around how much does the oil cooler help to
> maintain the oil pressure and running temp of the car.  How many rows do I
> need in the radiator?  In this case, are more rows better?
>
> Are there sources other than Moss for a high quality (SS lines) set up?
>
> What is the collective wisdom and results of the list from those who have
> installed oil coolers?  How many rows for the radiator and what sources are
> there?
>
> Thanks as always!!