Adding cooling fins to a trombone cooler

[red77911s]

I've been thinking about inexpensive ways to get more oil cooling and wondered if I couldn't obtain aluminum washers of an appropriate size (7/8 ID x 1 1/2 OD) cut them open, twist them and fit around the trombone with an interference fit. Anybody done or thought about this? if a handful of you are interested we could get the washers made for about 30 cents each, anybody interested?

[manbridge 74]

If you look into commercial heating and cooling parts you will find they make tubing that already exists with much more finning than you’d get with washers. Not sure if you can get it in brass though. I’d be hesitant to run a copper coil due to corrosive effects of engine oil.

[bkreigsr]

Your idea could work, but I'm wondering at what point will the added fru-fru start to act like a heat sink and just contribute to increasing oil temps?
Bill K

[QueWhy]

There was a thread a while back where a guy retro fit some finned pieces designed for a different application to his oil lines (al la elephant racing finned lines). If I remember correctly he saw a measurable decrease in oil temp.

It looked like a lot of work for a little payoff. They were really sharp too if I remember correctly.

[Mark Salvetti]

Check out this thread: Anyone ever make their own finned oil lines for additional cooling?

Mark

[darrin]

our host sells a 3rd party version of the finned Carrera cooler for $250 (https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PELTMP9802.htm?pn=PEL-TMP-9802&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoNOK0YqC4AIVD9bACh2P9ASPEAQYASAB EgILm_D_BwE) seems this would be a lot more proven/straightforward way to get additional cooling?

['76 911S 3.0]

Originally Posted by darrin

our host sells a 3rd party version of the finned Carrera cooler for $250 (https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PELTMP9802.htm?pn=PEL-TMP-9802&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoNOK0YqC4AIVD9bACh2P9ASPEAQYASAB EgILm_D_BwE) seems this would be a lot more proven/straightforward way to get additional cooling?

I bought one of these and promptly returned it. First thing noticed was the strong smell of spray paint when opening the box, no plugs on the cooler fittings, and the fin density is quite minimal. Went with an Elephant Racing Widemouth unit I found here on the forum and could not be more pleased. You get what you pay for.

And just for some perspective, before adding the cooler I was NA and oil temps were around 210 most times. With the ER cooler and a turbocharger, I don't ever see over 190 even in high stress situations.

[darrin]

Jayson -- thx for the clarification on the quality of the aftermarket part I referenced. I have an '86 Carrera so already have the factory finned cooler -- If OP's primary concern is cost, he should still be able to find a quality used OE Carrera cooler through the classifieds and/or a reputable dismantler. Agree that Elephant Racing's products are the "gold standard" tho

[stownsen914]

Finned tube oil coolers are generally not very efficient. As someone else said, I think by adding fins you might get a small drop in temp, but probably not very much. Wouldn't hurt anything though, if you're still inclined to try it. Let us know how it works out if you do it.

[HaroldMHedge]

A complete later Carrera cooler came up today in the For Sale section.

Front fender mounted oil cooler

[T77911S]

the washers would have to have solid contact with the pipe as in solder, brazed or welded for there to be good heat transfer.
if you don't have solid connection they could also come lose.

you should also use aluminum or maybe copper, something with good heat transfer.

unless your oil temp is already above what the engine Tstat operating temp is about the only gain you MIGHT get is just a slight delay in the temps going up if it is hot out or you start running the car hard

you did not say the year. best thing to do is put on an 11 blade fan and remove thermal reactors.
I see you live up north. it cant be too bad an issue.

[pampadori]

Not to discourage creative thinking and tinkering....but do you actually need that additional cooling or are you just needing to get in the shed and make something? I'd suggest a wooden fruit bowl for the lady of the house instead.

[Flat6pac]

Everything from the thermostat forward is oil cooler.
When was the last time you cleaned the under sill piping?
Bruce

[Reiver]

Can't remember how many times I've done half measures to save money and actually ended up spending more.

Find a used Carrera radiator/bloc off/fan and put it in yourself....I found one on ebay 5 years ago.
You sound like you have welding skills and it is simple novice job to weld the bracket in place.
I run in 100-110 degree ambient in Az summers and rarely hit 210...the fan is on a switch and works great when at lights etc....

[red77911s]

I appreciate all the comments and accept that the benefits would be probably be minimal. If the temp gauge is indicating properly the temp has been running about 240 at full tilt. The car already has an 11 blade fan and backdated exhaust. I have just repaired the somewhat crushed oil lines using the pressure and heat technique described by a fellow Pelican, it worked great. I have also cleaned the pipes of overspray from a repaint by a PO so we will see what happens when I get it all back together. if its still running hot I'll look into a proper cooler. Thanks Everybody!

[spoke]

I added a fan to the oil cooler on my '86 930 last summer. The fan is controlled by an adjustable thermostat. Night and day difference in oil temps.

Routinely the oil temp would be at 9 o'clock and rise to 10 o'clock on the gauge and close to the upper mark. Not sure what temps that is. Now with the fan the oil temp never goes above 8 o'clock and usually hovers around the middle mark just above where the cooler opens up. After warm up with the engine idling, the amount of heat coming off the cooler is amazing and somewhat uncomfortable to put my hand in the airflow in the wheel well.

Also removed the horns since they were in the way. The engine designers and chassis designers must have had arguments about who gets to use the space in the front wheel well. The cooler could not have been put in a worse place. Below is a picture looking from the wheel well to the back of the front bumper. The only opening is the small horizontal slot. The horns as well blocked airflow from under the front valence. Terrible design. The headlight bucket blocks the top 40% of the cooler from any airflow.

I removed the horns since they block a lot of airflow and replaced with a cheap small unit I found at my FLAPS.

[porsche930dude]

I thought of making a cooler with an old brass heater core. Might find a large one in a truck im not sure. and soldering on the fittings from the trombone. But then found a carerra cooler for cheap so i went with that instead. I also thought i might solder up hot water base board pipe to make a finned cooler simmilar to what you suggest but that type of copper tube is quite thin so i dont think it would hold up to the vibrations

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by red77911s

I appreciate all the comments and accept that the benefits would be probably be minimal. If the temp gauge is indicating properly the temp has been running about 240 at full tilt. The car already has an 11 blade fan and backdated exhaust. I have just repaired the somewhat crushed oil lines using the pressure and heat technique described by a fellow Pelican, it worked great. I have also cleaned the pipes of overspray from a repaint by a PO so we will see what happens when I get it all back together. if its still running hot I'll look into a proper cooler. Thanks Everybody!

you have a problem that what you want to do wont fix.
I bet either your engine Tstat is bad or you have a rats nest on the top of your engine, also check to see if the loop cooler is getting hot.

I had a 77s down here in SC, very hot. my temp would run about 190 unless I started driving it hard, then it would climb.
one other thing, you did not say the year but if you are letting it idle a lot and your timing is too far retarded it WILL make the temp go up.