Hello

I am getting ready to do some major work on my 86 F250 w/ 6.9 4speed
My tuck had AC but the Compressor went out and i later removed it to replace the Water pump. i now have the condenser coil in front of the radiator. i was wondering if i could use it as an oil cooler connected with an adaptor at the oil filter.

Thanks for all your great knowlage and input

Scott

 

wow, amzing, im in the middle of an engine swap right now, and i planned on doing the exact same thing, i didnt see any problems with running it likie that, so i asked my mechanic, and he said he didnt either, although he did say i should clean it out, just in case there was something in there...... Dustin

 

I also asked my mechanic also and he told me that the ac systems could handle up to 300 PSI so pressure is not a problem but he did not know about the size of the coils if they would support the flow of oil. the other problem i see is running the line to the other side of the radiator to connect the output of the coil.

 

i dont think its nessary to add another oil cooler, + you wount be able to run full oil flow through the condenser, i have a oil temp sensor in my oil pan and the temp never goes 15degs above the water temp under load

 

Dieself250, that's very interesting, I've never heard of any one on this forum with a an oil temp sensor...just curious, what made you think of putting one? And do you find any difference in temps if you're using different oils, ie
-grades
-synthetic
and does the oil temp rise with the loss of oil?

 

I have one in my oil pan, but with the turbo and the amount of boost I am running I can get well over 15 degrees above the water temp.

The only thing that changes the oil temp is how heavy my right foot gets while driving.

 

i always woundered how hot the oil was getting so i put a sender in to see just how hot it was, i never used any synthetic oils yet, i only burn 1 to 2 qt between 3000mi oil changes, hottest i had the oil was arround 235 with the water climbing up to 210 pulling a load guessing 15000 to 17000 lbs up some steep long grades pyro was stedy @ 800- 1000 degs for 15min foot peged to the floor turning 2800rpms, i would assume a turbo will get the oil alot hotter

 

I'd think the condenser would make a great oil cooler - for a gasser - but not for one of these IDIs. The condenser tubing is only what, about 1/2", right?

Well, I'm picturing the oil filter for my truck, and the inlet to the filter is at least 3/4" - maybe even closer to 7/8". That tells me the oil pumps in these motors push a LARGE volume of oil - i.e. a high flow. Too much flow for a piece of 1/2" tubing I'm thinking.

The tubing could handle the pressure I'm sure - and it would need to because the pressure would go sky-high when you tried to force the high flow from the oil pump through such a small diameter tube. You'd have very high pressure between the pump outlet and the condenser outlet, but between the condenser outlet and the oil passages of your engine you'd have a lot lower pressure. Probably below the minimum recommended pressure.

I just don't think the flow rate would be sufficient to keep the engine properly lubricated. To do that would take larger tubing - more like 3/4" diameter. The last thing you want to do is oil-starve the engine.

 

For you auto-trans guys, I would think that the A/C condenser would make a fabulous tranny cooler.

If I were ever faced with having to give up my A/C, that's what I would do with the condenser.

Pop

 

[QUOTE=SpringerPop]For you auto-trans guys, I would think that the A/C condenser would make a fabulous tranny cooler.

Turning my A/C condenser into a tranny cooler for my E4OD is one of the upcomming projects for my 91 F350. What's the use having air conditioning for those 10 hot days in the summer if you are standing beside the road with the tranny boiling over.

Looks to be plenty in size for a tranny cooler, probably not the right thing for an engine-oil cooler unless you install an electric driven circulation pump that independently circulates the engine oil thru the cooler and back to the oil pan.


Seb......

 

Absolutely! It would be nice and big and have plenty of flow for a tranny cooler - just not for the volume of engine oil.

 

Seb, I think the summer of 2006 was a little longer than 10 days ....I go to Osooyus every July ....they laugh at me cause I spend most of the time in our A/C trailer....104 degrees, I don't function all that well!

 

[QUOTE=bc6.9]Seb, I think the summer of 2006 was a little longer than 10 days

Bob,

I know 2006 was a beach. Evenso my compressor is still good, the AC system in the 91' needs a charge and I have now idea if there are any leaks. Nobody will touch the R12 systems without converting it to R34A and the cost of the conversion is pretty pricey. Also Dad had his 92' converted, spent a fortune and the new compressor only lasted a year (1 summer) so I am having a hard time convincing myself to spent that kind of money. No plans on visiting Osooyus any time soon.


Why not get some use out of that AC Condenser. I will give it a good flush and turn it into a tranny cooler. I finally got my E4OD temperature gauge working and it is amazing how the tranny temperature climbs just from chasing the truck up the boundry bay hill in the morning without a trailer attached.

Seb....