oil cooler bypass

[qwik914]

I was wondering if there is a way to bypass or block off the stock oil cooler? My car got an after market oil cooler and my stock one is leaking/purring from the radiator (Checked the seals already). I don't see a reason to buy a new one when I got the after market one. Any comment on what to do?

Kyan.
72 914 1.7L

[jmcleod]

i would say that's going to be tough. 1st, you won't be able to remove the cooler without taking the engine apart unless you are willing to hacksaw the mounting bolts off. 2nd, who makes something to block off the oil holes? maybe you can fabricate a block off plate. good luck

[qwik914]

I actually have taken the engine a part and the cooler (That’s how I figured out it was busted). Since last post, I went to Home Depot and bought some brass piping to fabricate a “U” pipe to connect the oil-in to oil-out. Now all I have to figure out is how to hold the pipe there.

[Joe Bob]

There are aftermarket block off plates for removing the stock oil cooler. The external cooler will allow suffecient cooling but unless you have constant air flow or an electric fan, you run the risk of cooking the motor....if the car is a dedicated track car, then it would not matter much....

But with a daily driver "I" would keep the stock cooler as well and have a thermostat that opens when the oil temp gets to the normal oil temp for the external cooler...without a thermostat you can get sludge build up and when cold, you can burst the cooler with a big slug of oil....

[roadtrp204]

Do yourself a big favor and keep a stock cooler. A new cooler from will run you about $150, and if cost is such an issue as it was for me in the past, pick up a used one from the juck yard. The '72-'83 volkswagen vans use the same one, I think I paid about $10 for a used one. Just make sure it is dry on the outside and flush it thoroughly.