Oil Cooler for '72

[Kevin G.]

Hey, guys and gals.

I took the '72 on a moderately spirited jaunt through the hills today, and oil temps hit 250. I really need to install a secondary oil cooler! I will try Parts Heaven on Monday in the off chance that they have a set of hard lines and a thermostat for a '72, but I'm not holding my breath.

What options are there for aftermarket? I know you can get some kind of thermostat setup from mocal, but what do you use for the oil lines? (I've seen pictures of the trick lines made by Elephant Racing? - but they seem pricey and I'm pretty cheap).

I don't want to go with a front valence type of cooler, I'm too afraid of speed bumps, so I guess I'm stuck with the right front wheel well. Is the carrera type cooler with the fan still the best solution for this location? Anybody had any success porting airflow to this location on an early car without removing the headlight?

Thanks for the help!

[Bobboloo]

Chuck Moreland who posts here makes some and from what I understand they are excellent quality and cheaper than the factory type.

Bobby

[kstar]

The Elelphant lines seem to be the better option vs. the AN-12 Aeroquip (which is what I put on my '72), IMHO.

Like Bobby said, the Elephant lines are less expensive than OEM brass lines, but as you probably already know, '72 is 'unique'.

If I could do my secondary oil cooling over again, I would go with Elephant lines but I would repeat remachining the '72 oil console for an inboard thermostat.

For the cooler you could go with Earl's, Mocal or B&B, perhaps others. I like the build quality of the B&B cooler and you could add a fan if needed.

I would guess that a high quality radiator style cooler would solve your problems. The fan "might" be overkill unless you find yourself in L.A. style 405 "parking lots". Jack and Thom are good folks to talk to regarding routing air to your cooler . . . of course, there are many other wise PelicanFolk who are quite savvy with cooling your oil as well.


FWIW, my '72 with a hot rod 3.2 MFI motor barely climbs above 180F with Aeroquip 12 hose and a B&B fender mount with no fan - note that this is spirited street driving, not track time.

You might also want to check for other problems - 250F seems like an abnormally high temp. Check for mice on your motor!

Good luck with your '72!

Best,

Kurt

[mm86911]

Kurt's dead on - check out the Elephant Racing hard lines - just installed one on the pressure side of my system (to replace a crushed stock line). Great quality, fit and function.

[Chuck Moreland]

If someone in the Bay Area with a '72 is willing to bring it by I'd like to see if something can be worked out. I don't have ready access to a '72.

Yet it seems half the people that want to buy line have '72s. Go figure.