Engine drop to replace the oil cooler

j_pollop · 01-31-2009, 10:19 AM

Hi, I wonder if any one have replaced the oil cooler before and if so, did you make a partial drop or a complete drop?

My Louise became incontinent during a hard drive and she now leaks down on the heat exchanger. This is my first time to this kind of heavy work on my engine and need to get some good advice before I decide for a complete or partial drop.

Hopefully you can give me some advice for the partial drop because of my shortness of space for a complete drop.

/J

RoninLB · 01-31-2009, 10:50 AM

Engine oil breather gasket at the engine case, a leaking oil psi idiot light sender, or a disconnected CIS air box oil drain tube can all give the impression that the oil cooler or oil cooler seals are leaking.

I did a partial engine drop thinking my oil cooler or cooler gaskets were leaking. I wouldn't do it again as the difficulty I had doing the cooler removal made an engine drop easier.

The two rear engine mounts get removed and the engine rear gets lowered on a jack.

Tigerrat · Tigerrat's Garage

Ditto. I would inspect the top front of the engine with a light and mirror before suspecting the cooler. I had a prolific leak coming from the oil pressure idiot light sender. Lot of oil on the exchangers and smoke. Ken

j_pollop · 01-31-2009, 11:22 AM

Hi Ronin,
Thanks for answering.
I took my web cam and dismantled it so I could squeeze it in to the back of the rear of the engine and what the laptop showed was that everything is nice and shiny. So I think the cooler is out.

But you say that an complete drop is the way to do it because its a pain to remove the cooler when you only made a partial drop, do I understand it right?

mshriner · 01-31-2009, 11:22 AM

I actually managed to do it a few years ago with some long extensions, a mirror and more time than it would have taken to do a partial drop. It is not worth the frustration. Definitely go partial drop or remove it and replace other potentially leaky seals. Some of the bay area PCA racers can drop the engine and remount at the track in a few hours, make some new friends, offer beer and feed them.

RoninLB · 01-31-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_pollop

But you say that an complete drop is the way to do it because its a pain to remove the cooler when you only made a partial drop, do I understand it right?

yes

and change the oil psi idiot light sender, and oil breather gasket while engine is removed.

also check for oil leaks at rocker arm shafts

j_pollop · 02-01-2009, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the advice

So, I'm looking at a complete drop of the engine. Should I do this with the tranni connected or without, which is the easiest?

I get this nice (funny) feeling in my stomach like a date or something now when I know whats waiting me

Tigerrat · Tigerrat's Garage

Most do it all together as I did but search and you will find some other opinions. With a G50 I'm not sure you can pull the clutch cross shaft under the car. Especially if it has never been out and hasn't been updated. While you have the engine out there are many things you will want or should do. So the job can easily grow in time and money. Should have Wayne's 101 book and a Bentley manual. I would be awfully certain that the cooler was the source of the leak before tackling. If its a small leak you might want to wait till you have a gameplan to do some other things, i.e. clutch, valve adj. new ignition wires, seal, sound pad, etc.

j_pollop · 02-01-2009, 11:13 AM

Got the books and even Wayne's Rebuild and Bruce's Performance handbooks.

I got a modified 915 that is overhauled just 2 years ago so I do not think that will be a problem. Will do the valve adjustment anyway.

But as you say, I will find some more to "fix" when the engine is out. A calculated risk... :-)