400 Oil Cooler

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Jul 9, 2006 | 10:46 AM

snowdog79

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 1,164

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From: Tri-Cities, TN

400 Oil Cooler

Just want to know what everyone thinks of adding an oil cooler to my '79 400 (F150 4x4). I have good presure readings when the engine is cool, although I am still using the O.E. guage, so I don't have an actual PSI reading. When warmed up, I have decent readings above 1200 rpm, then it dips to the lower end below that. Sometimes (yes, only sometimes) the guage will bottom out at idle when warm. The motor does seem to run a little hot, will be replacing the rad and putting in a 170 thermostat. I tow and haul quite often and thought an oiler cooler would help preserve the internals. No idea if the motor has any mods other than all the polution controls have been removed and/or disconected. Runs much stronger than my '77 351M did, though. Along with cooler will be adding a mechanical oil presure guage as the truck still has some electrical gremlins to sort. All feedback will be appreciated!

Jul 9, 2006 | 11:46 AM

53fatfndr

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 2,561

Likes: 1

From: Earth

Low oil pressure is about the norm for these engines. What oil weight are you running? I think before I would add an oil cooler, I would probably switch to a slightly heavier oil, like Shell Rotella-T 15w-40... unless you are already running a heavier oil.

Jul 9, 2006 | 10:51 PM

snowdog79

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 1,164

Likes: 2

From: Tri-Cities, TN

10w-40 right now. Used to run straight 40w in summer in the 351M, and an HV pump! Still blew it up, though. I will switch to a heavier oil next change, good idea. What do you think of the cooler idea? It will help this notoriously hot motor run a little cooler, especially at lower speeds when they tend to heat soak. Other ideas?
Thanks!

Jul 10, 2006 | 12:18 AM

grclark351

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 2,003

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From: chicago burbs

in your first post you mention putting in a 170 stat, do you have a 335 series engine specific stat in it now? the stats for these engines are different than all others...

Jul 10, 2006 | 07:13 AM

baddad457

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Joined: May 2003

Posts: 11,141

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From: south louisiana

An oil cooler is never a bad idea, unless you live in Canada or Alaska.

Jul 10, 2006 | 03:06 PM

bmc69

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 212

Likes: 0

I had an oil cooler installed on my '78 F-250 with the ciooler installed in front of my radiator and the filter mount 'bypass' kit for the connections.

The 400 in my '69 EB has an oil cooler (Derale with its own electric fan) mounted on the firewall deck where the heater box air intake is..I use the oil cooler hot air for heat now. That one is plumbed in the reverse-oiling line that I have run from the oil port in front left side of the engine to the rear where the pressure sender is, so only 'about half' the oil circulation is going through the cooler.