Adding Front Oil Cooler to ‘77 911S

[tonyduc]

I was planning on adding a front oil cooler to my stock ‘77. Most of the detailed install tutorials I’ve seen show an upgrade for cars already having factory front coolers. However my car has only the radiator type cooler near the engine across from the oil tank. With the cooling system I currently have, would adding a front cooler be more involved and require additional parts than what is provided in a typical kit (I was thinking of Elephant Racing). I assume the stock oil cooler and thermostat need to be removed- does this require the engine being dropped?
Thanks!
Tony

[Uwon]

There are always a few bits and pieces that you will have to source separately. Work with the PET diagrams. One thing that comes to mind right away are the three hangers under the car (and one inside the right rear fender) that hold the hard lines in place with the black brackets. These are often extra and will require welding.
Good luck.
Johan

[Alexandphoto]

I opted for one of the Mocal kits which I was able to purchase from Pelican Parts.

My 76 had no front oil cooler, and with this kit I was able to install one in the front. It’s important to be aware that you’ll need to drill holes along the chassis to mount the eyelets that hold the lines, and figure out a creative way to mount the front bracket.

I did it with the engine in the car. Stock cooler and thermostat were not touched.

Not one for the purist, but very effective. I partnered it with a duct from Achtungkraft and SPAL fan for when I’m sitting in traffic.

[rwest]

All of the stock on the engine cooler and thermostat remain in place. There is a secondary thermostat that controls flow to the front cooler. Engine cooler would be in use first and if the temp is high enough, the front cooler gets added to the loop.

[Nditiz1]

You should already have all the mounting in place. You will need the following:

2 long hard lines running up passenger side of the car.
T stat
Tank to tstat line
Engine block to tstat - its actually 2 lines
2 front flex hoses to connect to either carrera style or trombone cooler
4 brackets to hold the lines the passenger side and under the rear wheel well
Trombone or carrera cooler with mounting pieces

[tonyduc]

Thanks all, this has been very helpful, planning on doing this as a Winter project!

[Kevin Saunders]

Go with the Mocal with the thermostat, it was an easy installation and is one of the best mods I have done to my 77S. I used to be Leary about driving on hot summer days but now its not a problem.

[tonyduc]

Originally Posted by Kevin Saunders

Go with the Mocal with the thermostat, it was an easy installation and is one of the best mods I have done to my 77S. I used to be Leary about driving on hot summer days but now its not a problem.

Just had a look on Pelican regarding Mocal kits. One question, the lines are sold in bulk with the fittings, do the lines require cutting and fittings attached by a pro shop ? Or can a DIYer handle that ?
Thanks

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Alexandphoto

I opted for one of the Mocal kits which I was able to purchase from Pelican Parts.

My 76 had no front oil cooler, and with this kit I was able to install one in the front. It’s important to be aware that you’ll need to drill holes along the chassis to mount the eyelets that hold the lines, and figure out a creative way to mount the front bracket.

I did it with the engine in the car. Stock cooler and thermostat were not touched.

Not one for the purist, but very effective. I partnered it with a duct from Achtungkraft and SPAL fan for when I’m sitting in traffic.

FWIW. When I added a front cooler for my car, I opted for factory brass lines to get additional cooling surface area.

However, each person must decide how to proceed.

[Kevin Saunders]

The Mocal installation is a DIY job. Need a cut off saw for the braded lines

[Trackrash]

I got my setup from a guy who was parting a car. Those were the days....

However you might want to try some of the Porsche dismantlers or put a want to buy ad on the parts forum.

[tonyduc]

One other question. About what temp does the auxiliary thermostat for the front cooler open up at ? The car runs at about 210 on average now. That’s down from 225 after I put an 11 blade fan, did valve adjustment and put turbo valve covers. So I thought that the only thing left to do to bring the temp below 210 is the front cooler.

[Nditiz1]

210 is right where you should be on a hot day. The tstat opens at 180 I believe. Sends the oil through to the front. If it is cool outside 70F and you are not driving hard and getting above 210 then I could see adding a cooler. My 82 engine had only ever gotten above 210 once in extremely hot weather, but I have the trombone on my 77. Thought I would have to move to a Carrera cooler, but after SSi it has not gone higher. My 2.4 engine in my 914 regularly goes over 210 when cruising on the highway in 70f weather so it will be getting a cooler soon.

[ross79SC]

Check out the finned hard lines that Elephant Racing has, I replaced my stock lines with them on my SC... very happy! (Still just have 'trombone' cooler).