Good day gents,

I am planning to do a "bulletproof" at the top of the year. HG's, ARP studs, EGR delete, all that. I had a question referencing the Oil cooler...is that something that needs to be replaced? The mechanic doing the bulletproofing recommended based on how hard it is to get to if it goes bad later. I was thinking that it wont go bad if its flushed and all while doing the rebuild.

What are you alls opinions?

 

Sometimes flushing actually seems to stir up the cra* and clog the oil cooler up.
Since you are planning to do so much, i would flush first, then replace it, refill with new coolant. Some use an extended life to eliminate the silicates which *may* be part of the clogging.

 

Since the whole point of a "bulletproof" is to protect against things that happen when the oil cooler fails or gets clogged, it seems that doing the "bulletproof" and not doing the oil cooler would be a bit of a waste of money. What issues are you having to make you spend that kind of cash if not the oil cooler? Do you plan to tune the truck up towards 500 hp or something?

Brian

 

I may have a blown head gasket (have symptoms), although I have not done a full check to verify. I do not plan to tune it to that many horses, but I plan to tune it, and do not want to be worried about the HG issue. As of now, the oil cooler is keeping the oil temps well within spec!

 

If I was to open up my engine, esp. if I'm paying for someone elses labor, I definitely would install a new oil cooler. It's cheap compared to the labor to get to it.

 

That sounds like good rationale to me!

 

Anything else I consider replacing while he's in there...I know he mentioned he would be putting in 6.4 Banjo Bolts as well...

 

Fuel press. blue spring upgrade and stand pipe dummy plug upgrade if needed. STC fitting if old style is present. Make sure he uses OEM head gaskets.

 

I would defenitly flush and backflush the cooling system to death before I replace the oil cooler, plugs removed from the engine and lower radiator hose disconnected. And I would flush and backflush the heater rad independently from the in and out hose.

I would suggest you drop the coolant in a pail from the lower rad hose just to see if there is any crap in there. If there is some flakes, clean that radiator before crap get in the oil cooler. It happened to me.

 

This would also be a good time to install a coolant filter.

 

I would do that before you tear it apart....give the coolant filter a chance to get a head start on the whole process. you would be amazed at the junk you will find

 

Thanks for the responses! I have a Coolant filter installed already, installed it a back in April actually.

Also, due to other issues I had I have done the Blue spring (last December, had a leak in that bowl) and the Dummy plugs and SCT (had to replace the HPOP back in May).

 

Gene, you are gonna have to turn up the tune once you stud it. Mine ran a 14.4 with a toolbox and a full tank of fuel. Go baby go!.

 

I mistyped...I am not tuned yet...earlier I meant to say I had the new "STC" on the HPOP. lol

 

All good advice so far. The only thing I would add is to regularly check the FICM if you don't do so already. It's nice to have all of the problem areas fixed so you don't have to worry about the truck.