Is anybody out there running an engine oil cooler? I've had them on previous rigs, and am a firm believer that they help reduce heat and oil breakdown, thereby extending the life of the engine. Knowing that, one ought to make the six in my truck last forever, but haven't heard them mentioned on this site. Were they factory equipment on the newer rigs, or would I need to be looking at aftermarket suppliers to get one? Any information would be appreciated.

'81 Flareside
300/6
4 spd
3.31 gears
31" tires

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Mar-01 AT 10:55 AM (EST)[/font][p]I have installed a 250 horsepower oil cooler on my 300-6. I live out here in New Mexico and during the summer months is when I use the oil cooler. During winter it gets to cold and the oil can't heat up high enough work efficiently. If I run the oil cooler during winter, I smell unburned gas in the oil, which every vehicle has to a certain amount. Also I don't have to drive very far so this increases the amount of contaminants in the oil which promote engine wear. By heating the oil to normal operating temperature this causes most of those oil contaminates to be "boiled out" so to speak. However getting the oil to hot, breaks down the oils viscosity which isn't a good thing. So hence the reason why I use the oil cooler during summer. It makes a big difference. During the winter months my 300-6 stays cool enough that I can rest my hand on the intake manifold. During summer I can't do that, but if I connect the oil cooler the intake and valve cover are cool enough I can rest my hand on them! So an oil cooler is a good thing to have. Oh the reason why I got a 250hp cooler is I have really modified my engine. I probably make close to 190 horses and as soon as I add 19#/hr injectors it should shoot upto 205hp if not more.

1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

Paul, I haven't looked yet, but are they hard to find or install? I live in the Seattle area, so we don't get the temperature extremes that you do in Albuquerque, so I'd probably want to run mine all year round. I tow a boat frequently, so I think I should investigate anything that helps reduce the strain on the rig.


'81 Flareside
300/6
4 spd
3.31 gears
31" tires

 

Na oil coolers are rather easy to find. Talk to Northern AutoParts at www.naparts.com. or summitracing. As for installation they take some time and drilling but they easy to do. Permacool makes good oil coolers. Take a look at their website! They have coolers ranging from 100 horsepower upto 450 horsepower.


1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

I did something kind of strange.

Ford used to use a dual pass water-cooled engine-oil heat exchanger on cop cars and heavy duty trucks.

They used their standard oil filter mount/cooler hose takeoff (which bolted to the block with a large, hollow bolt).

I found a good one on a late-'70's F-350 in a junkyard, cleaned it up, pressure-tested it, and am using it on my '91 4.9L to this day, "winter" and summer.

The exchanger itself is round, about 3" in diameter, 16" long, and mounts perfectly atop the first crossmember. No oil radiator to mount and take up grille area. The most expensive part was having some hydraulic hoses made up to fit.

This setup stabilizes the oil temp, and does not seem to affect the water temp. I have an oil temp guage, but have never installed it.

Eddie