Oil cooler thermostat

w-lewis · #1 (**permalink**) 11-22-2019, 08:55 AM

Anyone have a recommendation for for an easy install oil cooler thermostat? I have a cooler and my oil temp never seems to go above about 170. That is after a run and measured with an infrared temp gun aimed at oil pan. Gauge never shows much over 140. Seems to me, in order to minimize condensation in oil, temp should be closer to 190-200.

Chilibit · #2 (**permalink**) 11-22-2019, 09:38 AM

I block the air flow to the cooler (a duck tape veneration) in the dead of winter and otherwise I downshift. RPMs are remarkably effective. I do not have a thermostatically controlled valve. The sensor would likely have to be remote from the valve otherwise once the valve is closed the readings will no longer be relevant.

bobcowan · #3 (**permalink**) 11-22-2019, 11:41 AM

Oil is primarily heated by rpm's. High, sustained rpm's, like you see in road racing. Unless you're racing, you have no need for an oil cooler.

My first suggestion would be to disconnect the cooler, and just leave it in place for looks only.

There are a number of thermostats available. I like the type that bolts in place of the oil filter adapter; commonly called a sandwich type. Plenty of room to leave the filter in the stock location. Earls makes a good one that I've used before.

Earls also makes a good in line type. But it takes more fittings, more room, etc.

https://www.jegs.com/p/Earls/Earls-T...72463/10002/-1

twobjshelbys · #4 (**permalink**) 11-22-2019, 12:49 PM

I found one on Jegs.

nathanmargolis · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2019, 02:07 PM

W-Lewis,

You are absolutely correct on oil temp based on old hand knowledge and what I see on my Backdraft and C7 Corvette. Oil temperature is about the same and may go 5 to 10 degrees over water temp after a long time.

The Backdraft I have purchased used has an oil thermostat but much bigger than the Earl one posted and had a price tag of about $300. $110 for this one made by a big name manufacturer might be nice.

Not knowing where you live but I do know that oil coolers are good in Texas during the summer as additional oil cooling is nice for all those 95 plus degree days. All extra cooling is good in the South.

An old oil and gas engineer that worked for CoreLab for 30 plus years where all he did was test oil told me oil temps should be higher to burn moisture and other impurities out of the crankcase. 140 degrees is nothing.

Best,
Nathan

w-lewis · #6 (**permalink**) 11-22-2019, 07:17 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I’m in Savannah, Ga where it gets hot in the summer. I figure it’s easier to add the thermostat than disconnect the cooler and rearrange the hoses. I saw the thermostat on Jeggs and it does look promising.

eschaider · #7 (**permalink**) 11-23-2019, 03:33 AM

If you decide to use the oil cooler, this is a very nice, high quality T-Stat, click here=> Oil T-Stat

Ed

spdbrake · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2019, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschaider

If you decide to use the oil cooler, this is a very nice, high quality T-Stat, click here=> Oil T-Stat

Ed

They make nice stuff.
I currently have the Earl's 185deg sandwich thermostat installed on my Canton remote filter head. Once it dies(they're known for not living too long) I'll be installing the Improved Racing Thermostat/Head assy. The in-line themostats always look a bit cluster-F. Remote Engine & Transmission Oil Filter Mount with Thermostat ENV-170

tortuga · #9 (**permalink**) 11-25-2019, 12:04 PM

Oil goes to 100c and lives there unless I’m really putting the leather to her...then she goes to 110s...

bobcowan · #10 (**permalink**) 11-25-2019, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tortuga

Oil goes to 100c and lives there unless I’m really putting the leather to her...then she goes to 110s...

Cool, I like it. Keep in mind this is NOT a cooler. This is a heat exchanger. There's a difference. The purpose of this is to keep the oil temp pretty close to the water temp.

IMO, this is the best set up for a street car. It warms it up when it's cold, and cools it off when it's hot. Just like the transmission heat exchanger in a stock car.

You have to make sure the radiator is big enough to handle the additional thermal load. That's the only down side; as fitting larger radiators in these cars can be a challenge.

If you really want to get trick about it, Gordon Levy will sell you a radiator with a built in heat exchanger.

spdbrake · #11 (**permalink**) 11-26-2019, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcowan

Cool, I like it. Keep in mind this is NOT a cooler. This is a heat exchanger. There's a difference. The purpose of this is to keep the oil temp pretty close to the water temp.

IMO, this is the best set up for a street car. It warms it up when it's cold, and cools it off when it's hot. Just like the transmission heat exchanger in a stock car.

You have to make sure the radiator is big enough to handle the additional thermal load. That's the only down side; as fitting larger radiators in these cars can be a challenge.

If you really want to get trick about it, Gordon Levy will sell you a radiator with a built in heat exchanger.

Bob, So Tortuga has a Heat exchanger for an oil cooler? I see the Canton Oil thermostat in his photo but can't make out the remaining routing (old eyes).

I like heat exchangers except when they spring a leak and xfer water into the trans or engine. Like my Nissan Frontier could have had. A few years ago Some folks were complaining on the forums about Pepto-Bismol (pink) transmission fluid. I installed a small trans cooler to preclude any issues. Around a year later my radiator started leaking from the two trans ports I purposely left open. Saved me from buying a new transmission.