Fitting an Oil Cooler in a +2

[JJDraper]

I decided to move the thread from 'Things in common' as it is now a mod!

Plans are moving on with the confirmation of a suitable oil cooler location in the nose, just in front of the main radiator. We'll see if that has any effect on overall cooling, which has never been a problem in the past. After fiddling about and trial fitting all over the place, the location shown by George, aka cabc26b (nice clean engine bay!) seems to be the best compromise, especially with all the other stuff in the nose. Hoses fit cleanly under the rad and their extra length helps keep them facing away from the rad. As these are not custom hoses, but just a pair I had lying around, they fit pretty well. I will fit anti chafing and fix them in place when all is back together.

Bought special Mocal mounting blocks, but the bolt fittings are too short for the thick fibreglass in this area.. I will use bolts and make a pad with old inner tube to keep down vibration. That just leaves shuffling around the other stuff, horns, vacuum solenoid, coolant bottle.....

Hope the snow stays away.

Jeremy

[JJDraper]

All is in and running. Went for a long run and the effect of the cooler is obvious on the oil temp. No change in oil pressure, and the oil warms up as normal, but when it hits 90DegC it falls back to 80odd, then comes back to 90, drops back etc. On the motorway, this cycle continues until the oil reaches some sort of equilibrium and settles at a steady 90. A bit of enthusiastic running brings the temp up to 95-100, then it drops back. The thermostat seems to work well! On the motorways it used to run way past 120, and on to max out at the limit of the gauge - over 140DegC. Its worth noting that oil temp responds very quickly to engine stress, and peak temperatures can soar with spirited driving.

What effect this will have long term remains to be seen... Was it worth it? Not sure yet, as the amount of messing about to fit everything in the nose of the car was considerable.

Jeremy

[TonyJ]

Interested in fitting an oil cooler - any chance of sending details via a PM please? Info such as make of cooler, where pipes come from/to engine. Thanks, Tony

[pauljones]

Hi all,

For those wishing to carry out the fitting of an oil cooler, my dad has a few spare. They are from MGB's and are used on 5.0 ltr Cobra replicas. He has about 5 in good condition on a shelf. If anyone is interested I can forward on a phone number.

Paul