Oil Coolers on Street Cars

[SuperHart]

I run a Canton Road Race oil pan and a Mocal sandwich type thermostat with -10 oil lines on my 351W. Fortunately, I have enough room to also use the standard oil filter rather than the FL-300 shorty. When the oil temp is below that required to open the thermostat I get 65 lbs. at idle using 10-40. I can tell when the thermostat opens because the pressure then drops to 58 lbs. at idle. I have run this setup for four years now with no concerns. The setup is simple and effective.

[Mark Husar]

Perhaps you guys could educate me a little. What would the acceptable oil temperature during normal driving? As the oil heats up, where would the upper limits of temperature be and when should I be concerned that it is getting hot to the point of damage?
My 396 stroker runs water temp right at 185 degrees and my oil temperature stays about 200 degrees. When I run it hard, the oil temp will creep up to 225 or so. Occasionally I have seen 240. I have the canton, but don't run a cooler at this point. Should I re-connect the cooler ? The temps here in Sac. run 100 degrees + in summer.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[PatBuckley]

Originally Posted by Mark Husar

Perhaps you guys could educate me a little. What would the acceptable oil temperature during normal driving? As the oil heats up, where would the upper limits of temperature be and when should I be concerned that it is getting hot to the point of damage?
My 396 stroker runs water temp right at 185 degrees and my oil temperature stays about 200 degrees. When I run it hard, the oil temp will creep up to 225 or so. Occasionally I have seen 240. I have the canton, but don't run a cooler at this point. Should I re-connect the cooler ? The temps here in Sac. run 100 degrees + in summer.
Any advice would be appreciated.

I would want to see 220F during normal driving - hard use (sustained 100 mph or track use I would think 240-260....upper limit? 320......

[4pipes]

That jives with what I've been told: 100 degrees C, normal driving; 120 degrees C spirited, and 135 degrees C as a safe upper limit.