Adding oil cooler to early car

[slakjaw]

I did a search but I am curious if anyone has any pics?

Car is a 71 Targa,
I got used hard lines off a later car and I am wondering how people route these lines under the rocker. Anything special need to be done. If anyone has a pic of this install I would appreciate it.

Kyle

[911pcars]

The routing path below the rocker panel and RF fender would be the same for most 911s (74-86 or so). Try to get the photos from the factory repair manual. You can also look at the archives. There are literally hundreds of pics owners have posted on this subject.

The mounting hardware (metal clips for the tubes) should still be available from PCNA. You will also need the correct thermostat-to-tank, and to-engine lines for this conversion.

Sherwood

[ossiblue]

This was done on my 73 by the PO. As Sherwood said, the routing is the same as later cars with two exceptions (at least.) First, 74+ cars have metal brackets welded to the underside of the rocker to take the metal screws that hold the clamps Sherwood mentioned. My early car uses metal/rubber pipe clamps and are screwed into the bottom of the rocker, directly.

Second, the lines from the thermostat back to the tank and engine may cause a clearance problem as early car longitudinals do not have the indent to move the lines inboard, away from the wheel. If you use stock rims and tires, you should not have a problem but a small, 1/4" spacer may offer more breathing room.

[jeromyrwks]

I drilled and TIG welded studs to the rocker for the clips to attach to on my '69. Everything else fits well without modification. You'll need the soft lines to engine and tank from T-Stat if you don't have them. Also you'll need to attach the tops of the hard lines in the front wheel well to keep them from drooping. If you are mounting a cooler behind the front bumper, it will be a ton of fun to route the soft lines over the battery box. I'll try to dig up some pic's of my install.

[Fishcop]

Try and find someone with a "rivnut" tool to give you threads to screw the clamps to... easier than welding.

[slakjaw]

Awesome! thanks for the info!

I changed my search a bit and found some photos.

[Jim Williams]

I have done this on a '73 (thermostat, oil lines and Carrera cooler with fan), and had no particular problems. As for the brackets needed under the rockers, simply drill into the longitudinal, being careful to go only as deep as needed to break through the sheet metal. Then use a sheet metal screw to attach the brackets for the oil lines, with a length just sufficient to get a few (2 to 3) threads into the sheet metal. Choose a screw size (and drill bit size) to get a good bite in the hole.

I have some photos I made, if there is any interest, I can find them and post them here.