oil circulation and cooling question

[MichiganMat]

A few months back I decided it was time to upgrade my oil cooler from the loop-cooler to a radiator style. Being a DIY kinda guy I chose to cook one up myself and found a good deal on a Setrab STD radiator cooler on eBay and bought it. Its a fairly small cooler compaired to the Mocal and Carrera coolers but its not bad. Ive got it connected to the stock lines with some braided AN-16 lines. I made some custom brackets and put it in the fender well.

Well, my projects don't always (if ever!) work out the way I want them to, and this is no exception. My car is running hotter with this cooler than it was with the loop cooler. Im baffled.

So here is my question: Could it be that the Setrab cooler Im using is constricting the oil flow enough that oil is bypassing the cooler through the thermostat and is not being cooled? Can someone also tell me which direction oil is flowing and whether its being pushed or sucked through the lines? Im not sure if I'll mount fans on it or if I'll just spring for the Mocal setup, but I'd like to get some answers first. Thanks all.

[Early_S_Man]

What kind of AN-16 fittings are you using on the hoses? Hopefully ... NOT 90° fittings! The 90° fitting are notorious for causing restrictions in oil systems!

Pics would help ...

The oil in the forward oil cooler is scavenge pump output on its' way to the oil tank. Your thermostat may not be opening all the way ...

Was the cooler purchased new, or used???

[Chuck Moreland]

Hi Mat

Which STD cooler did you use? There are many sizes.

Are you comparing like ambient and driving conditions?

It's possible that another problem has developed since last fall - bad thermostat, running leand, etc.

Is the cooler used and potentially plugged up with crap?

[MichiganMat]

Heres the cooler. Setrab STD 11x7x2. click on it for a larger pic:



I realize its kinda small, much smaller than the Carrera or Mocal setups. I've seen track cars run these with fans without any problems. If it doesn't work its not a huge deal, it barley cost me anything to put together.

There is one 90 degree fitting in the system, maybe I'll try a 45 instead:




The cooler was used when I got it but it was really clean so I dont think it would be clogged, I could be wrong. I mean, it looked completely new, just look at the photo.

I don't think anything has developed since last fall, I've got most of the bugs worked out of the systems. I've seen the higher temps out on the highways, not so much in traffic. The temps run up to around 210.

[Doug Steinel]

I wish my car wouldr run at 210 degrees. I am at 230 degrees and higher when I hit a traffic jam. I wouldn't worry about 210.

[Early_S_Man]

Mat,

I don't really think you have a problem with the fittings! And, your temps aren't alarming.

The real problem is airflow through the cooler. Tight-fitting ducting and a fan would improve the heat transfer from that cooler. Here is one possibility for a fan:

http://www.mpja.com/productview.asp?product=15375+FN

[vash]

MM, i see 210 all day lately, now that it is hot here in the bayarea. and i have a carrera setup with fan. i think you are in the perfect ballpark. before summer came and embraced us, i was looking at temps in the 190 range. so i am seeing the same thing as you.

[MichiganMat]

Im going to mount a fan on it and see where I get, but I don't like all this talk about 210 degree oil temps. I never saw a day over 180 with my loop cooler... except on top speed runs at around 130mph Ya gotta keep these motors cool boys! Stop cookin' 'em!