Sealing off fender oil cooler

[rs6er]

I have read a lot about sealing your fender cooler so the air goes through it and not around it. What do most people use to do this. I have a Terbatrol cooler.

[ChrisBennet]

Don't forget to get air into the cooler as well. The Carrera's had a notch in the bottom of the bumper to let more air in.
I sealed the cooler off in my Carrera and I think my temps were higher sitting in traffic. I didn't have a fan though.
-Chris

[rs6er]

Chris-
How did you seal it off?

[Bill Verburg]

Flexible foam pipe insulation works well for that application, it is available in lots of sizes and fairly impervious to the heat and exposure to the elements.

[javadog]

Porsche offers a foam rubber seal for this that fits onto a flange on the gravel guard aft of the cooler. There is also a rubber plug that fits into the black aluminum crash guard attached to the front bumper. These could probably be adapted to your installation.

JR

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by rs6er
Chris-
How did you seal it off?

It's been a while but I seem to remember using thin aluminum sheet from the hardware store. In retrospect, a fan would have worked better.
-Chris

[KCPSG]

When I had mine out (to change to lower temp thermo switch) I used pipe insulation from Lowes to re install. So far no problems, and its been over a year since I did it.

[jakermc]

I used a thin sheet of aluminum. Its attached via zip ties to the side and bottom of the cooler. It was a very easy way to block off both the side and the bottom of the cooler. Air enters through a hole where the turn signal use to be. If you have a street car and need the turn signal, just notch the bumper. It makes a dramatic difference when moving. If you are worried about idle temps in traffic, add a fan.

[Jeff Higgins]

Maybe a little extreme as far as getting air to the cooler, but it works extremely well. I don't have a photo, but blocking off under the bumper, to the front of the cooler, over to the tub, is important as well. Use a piece of .030" aluminum sheet cut to a quarter circle shape, with enough left over to bend a flange up on the tub and cooler sides. Put a couple holes in it to match the lower cooler mount, screw or pop rivit it to the tub and bumper, and it seals the bottom quite well. The Elephant Racing widemouth cooler I installed came with foam pipe insulation to put between the cooler and fender. In addition to providing an air seal, it provides some vibration and shock protection to the cooler. Any hardware store should have the same stuff.

[twin plugged targa]

I am installing my oil cooler shortly and plan to vent air from the fog light opening under the bumper.
I have OEM covers currently but will remove one and trunk air to the cooler.
I wonder if closing off the underside to the cooler will be effective in reducing temps. as I would have thought underbody turbulence would help air flow on the front side of the cooler?
But I guess it is all trial and error to see what works best.
rgds Ben

[rrpjr]

Oil Cooling Upgrade - Yes Again

Here is a typically excellent thread by "Clark Griswald" on this subject. Proves again what a terrific archive Pelican has.