Oil cooler rebuild
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Oil cooler rebuild
I am rebuilding my oil cooler on my 1994 F-350 7.3L IDI. The cooler is off but not yet out. I've made a lifting bar to pull up the engine with my engine crane. I need some bolts I'll get tomorrow to lift the engine. In the mean time, looking at the block where the cooler was attached on the front. I see a 3/8 or 1/2 inch plug in one port. It has a square hole for a tool to remove the plug. If you split the contact area into two parts horizontally for visualization, the rear part has the plug. It looks like it might be sealing an oil port.
I'd like to know whether this is a standard part that belongs there and not some jerry rig to block flow by some hammer mechanic.
I don't trust anything anymore because the cooler has been removed in it's recent history. Orange gasket maker was all that sealed the cooler to the block, not regular gaskets. Nothing would surprise me at this point. It's even possible that the cooler was leaking at this gasket area but I'll rebuild it with new rings just in case. The cooler is too hard to pull and put back without going the whole nine yards. If anyone knows what
this plug is about and if it's part of the normal system, let me know.
I'd like to know whether this is a standard part that belongs there and not some jerry rig to block flow by some hammer mechanic.
I don't trust anything anymore because the cooler has been removed in it's recent history. Orange gasket maker was all that sealed the cooler to the block, not regular gaskets. Nothing would surprise me at this point. It's even possible that the cooler was leaking at this gasket area but I'll rebuild it with new rings just in case. The cooler is too hard to pull and put back without going the whole nine yards. If anyone knows what
this plug is about and if it's part of the normal system, let me know.
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From: Kodiak, Alaska
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I looked over the link you posted. Good stuff but my system is different than his. Maybe because mine is an F-350 and his was an E. I read somewhere to watch out for different gaskets because there is a difference. My front cap has 4 bolts. His had 2. I won't swear to it but the plug I saw today in the front cap area of the block may also be in the back block also. I just got a passing glance in the rear block hole while I was trying to get the cooler out by pulling toward the rear of the truck. No way it will come out through the front. I need someone that has the 4 bolt front cap system to look in their block if their system is apart and see if they have a plug.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
I think the link was a powerstroke. Similar cooler, but different. I do recall a square plug on the coolers for the 7.3 idi's, can't recall which end or whether it was on both or what.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Victor, MT
The orange gasket maker your speaking of is factory....i know this from the 87 motor i have sitting in the garage. as for the square plug....i have no clue lol. If your taking about the square looking tube on the block....then its probably for either the oil feed or the water feed....
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Just an update. I had to lift the engine on one side to get the cooler out. Barely made it with only the one side mount unscrewed. It's cleaned up but not completely ready for the new parts yet. I have to scrape the old gasket materials off the block and I may paint the tube and ends. My rings and gaskets are on order. If the right stuff comes in I'll be ready to assemble and test. Still don't know about the plug in the block and if there is one on the rear cap also. I'll be under the truck tomorrow cleaning the gasket pieces off the rear cap mount area. Then I'll know if there is one in the rear also.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 919
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From: Newberg Oregon
the plugs belong there. sand and paint the oil cooler tube with some good engine enamel, not rustoleum, it will keep it from rusting thru from the outside. Plasti kote or dupli color is a good brand, do you have your gasket set, if it has the black orings in it do not use them, they will fail in 20k miles. fat one needs to be green and the other one a bluish tint.
DO NOT rtv the paper gaskets, whichever side does not have the printoseal glue down with high tack.
using silicone will split them andyou get to do it again.
DO NOT rtv the paper gaskets, whichever side does not have the printoseal glue down with high tack.
using silicone will split them andyou get to do it again.
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While the coolers out its a good idea to clean it and inspect the ends for hairline cracks. This is easier done while still assembled as the cracks are easier to see and if left alone, will cause an unexplainable oil leak. Also, unless you like doing the job twice, spend the money on the Ford OEM orings. they fit better than the aftermarket ones I used first go around and caused a massive oil leak and coolant contamination.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 919
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From: Newberg Oregon
^^^^ good call I had a cracked front header, it was in a non fluid area but it does happen and usually from over torqued bolts
Also ,just a heads up, the last ford orings that I got, 6 months or so ago fit like the aftermarkets, I think they changed vendors.
Also ,just a heads up, the last ford orings that I got, 6 months or so ago fit like the aftermarkets, I think they changed vendors.
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I cleaned all the parts today. I'll paint them tomorrow. I am waiting for the o rings and gaskets from RockAuto. I got the info that RockAuto had them and the part numbers from one of the guys in this forum.
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This will be my last entry on this thread. My parts came in today. All parts from RockAuto and all were perfect for the job. I was sweating out getting wrong parts. I painted the parts today and am waiting for the paint to get good and hard before I grease and install the O rings.
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