Mounting a oil cooler ?

[FUNFER2]

I have a Mocal oil cooler from Finish Line. I would like to ask all of you how best, to mount it. I've seen cheap straping to hold the top & just screwing the cooler to the body, don't want to do it that way. Something of more quality. I hate vibrations also. How do you make the shroud ? What about maintanence ? Is anyone running a screen to save the cooler from bugs ? Any & all sugestions/advise with pictures, will be greatly....appreciated !
(I have a Lonestar if that makes a difference)

Thanks,

[ENTDOC]

I got the shroud from finishline and mounted a piece of angle aluminum to the sides of it with small screws.I then bonded angle aluminum pieces to the body(on the inside of the oil cooler housing in the body)I was then able to attach the two pieces of angle with screws so no holes were made in fiberglass.It is a very secure attachment and looks slick. chuck

[tryce]

Make sure your oil pump can handle the extra distance you are asking the oil to travel. I have been told it may be necessary to get a larger voluem/pressure oil pump to make sure all stays OK.

May be some one in the club can comment on this!!!!!!!!!


Life is good, Life is what we make it.!!!!!!!!!!

[FUNFER2]

Hey Chuck, do you have any pics ?
Thanks,

[Roscoe]

Don't forget to install the oil thermostat.

Roscoe

[DonC]

See page 80 and 81 of the ERA 427 manual for one way of doing it. Like everything else there are probably a dozen or so differnt ways that have already been done and several more in the planning/fabrication stage.
Ditto what Roscoe said. Don't forget the oil thermostat. Most cars with the oil cooler will not let the oil get up to operating temps without the thermostat.
DonC

[Roscoe]

Anticipating your next question, oil cooler thermostats can be had at

http://www.cantonracingproducts.com/
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com

Roscoe

[FUNFER2]

I do have the higher volume oil pump from Canton so that end of it should work. As for the thermostat, good question. I don't know whether to buy one (expense, is it worth it) ? or just have a manual valve shut off valve ? This year has been VERY.. cool in temps. Even this June & Aug. temps are below 80 deg.'s, mostly in the 70's ! Anyway, during highway driving, I have to turn the fan off. With a 180 deg. thermostat, it's apx. 165-175 deg. Street temps are fine. Most years in the summer it's in the mid to upper 90's. I'm in no way saying the cool temps are not welcome !!! LOL !

Is their a "ERA" web-page" showing the information ?
What is the best location for a oil temp sending unit ? (I have a Canton street pan not, the road race)
Who's oil/filter/cooler adapter is best for the FE'S
Do any of you have install pics ?

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

[ENTDOC]

Sorry,no pics but feel free to call 864-292-6889 and I can explain better. chuck

[Ant]

FUNFER2,

All good advice, and where to find information.

With the Mocal oil cooler you should have information on how to mount it,

If its over 13 row (eg. 16 row) they recommend fitting through bolts and anti crush spacers between the mounting lugs, they dont mention rubber mounting, but I think some rubber is good, I am going to fit little BMC or Mini exhaust system round rubber bobbins, they have a thread each side, these will mount on small brackets from cooler, then to chassis brackets. On the top will be a thin strip of rubber, and attached to the bottom of the main radiater shroud.

In NZ unless I strike a really hot day in the summer racing and due to races here being only 5 laps, and oil cooler is totally unecessary, But as these cars came with and they look good, a thermostat is most important, and a further expense. The next thing is protection, I have seen some nice fine mesh fitted right against the radiators, I am not sure whether to fit this against or maybe better 2" away from the fins.

[Roscoe]

I don't think a manual shutoff will work. You would need some sort of bypass. Remember you have a feed and return. Where would you put the valve???? No good.

Another source for themostat is

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com

They have one for 39.95 but I cannot vouch for it's quality. I have the Mocal unit.

Roscoe

[DonC]

Kevin:
The idea behind the oil thermostat is to allow the oil to reach a temperature that is high enough to outgas some of the junk that builds up in the oil, not so much to keep it cool. By and large, with an oil cooler, the oil runs TOO cool and doesn't reach a temp that's high enough. That's the job of the thermostat, to get the oil temp up and keep it in the proper range. Seems like kind of a reverse procedure but that's what you get with an oil cooler. Having colder than normal temps in your area would increase the need for the t-stat.
The Canton unit, while expensive, has the highest opening temp I was able to find, around 210 degrees. Most of the others open at 180 and I'm not sure that's high enough but that's just my opinion.
DonC

[FUNFER2]

I checked out the canton, looks like a quality product for the money. Like most things, don't want to go cheap here. Quality is a piece of mind ! Do any of you recomend a certain brand of oil filter sandwich/adapter for an FE ?

[Roscoe]

Use a billet adapter plate on the block. I use the Canton one and it is of good quality. It also swivels so you can set your hoses up better. DO NOT use the cheapo that is made out of white metal. I've seen these give way on the track and lunch an engine in about 3 seconds.
Roscoe

[FUNFER2]

Rosco, sounds great, do you have the part number ?
I can search for it also. (LAZY I guess) !

[Roscoe]

Go to the links I posted above for
Canton
Racer Parts Wholesale

Roscoe

[FUNFER2]

Found it, thanks Rosco.