oil cooler
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From: western Kentucky
oil cooler
I have a 1988 F250 4 wd with the 460. The engine is bad and I have a 1994 460 to put in it's place. The 88 engine uses a oil to air cooler while the 94 engine uses oil to coolant heat exchanger. Does anyone here have any suggestions as to what oil cooling method I should use? The swap is straight forward, I just have to swap water pumps depending on what system I use. The main reason for me asking is because I have more than once had factory oil to coolant coolers fail, but they were different design than the Ford. I perfer the oil to air that is on the truck now but thought I would ask for some opinions before I do anything. Thanks.
Steve
Steve
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From: SW Va
If your oil to air cooler is thermostatically controlled, such that the cooler is bypassed in winter, when you don't need cooling, or as much cooling & is large enough so it'll properly cool in summer, for the heat load it'll see when your towing, or hauling, then go with the oil to air cooler.
The oil to water cooler automatically gets some temp regulation for the oil, from the engines thermostat controlling the coolants temp, but it means the coolant system has to carry the extra heat load, so you'll want to make sure the cooling system is in cood condition & closely looked after, or you could quickly get into an over heat condition, especially in summer with the A/C & a load on.
So, both systems have their points, but like you, I think I would prefer the oil to air system, but only IF it's thermostatically controlled.
If it isn't thermoststically controlled, maybe consider a new flat plate design that is.
They are more efficient than the tube & fin design coolers,
so are smaller in size to fit in tight spaces & still get the job done.
Some thoughts to ponder.
The oil to water cooler automatically gets some temp regulation for the oil, from the engines thermostat controlling the coolants temp, but it means the coolant system has to carry the extra heat load, so you'll want to make sure the cooling system is in cood condition & closely looked after, or you could quickly get into an over heat condition, especially in summer with the A/C & a load on.
So, both systems have their points, but like you, I think I would prefer the oil to air system, but only IF it's thermostatically controlled.
If it isn't thermoststically controlled, maybe consider a new flat plate design that is.
They are more efficient than the tube & fin design coolers,
so are smaller in size to fit in tight spaces & still get the job done.
Some thoughts to ponder.
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From: western Kentucky
Thanks for the thoughts pawpaw. I had the same concerns about the added load on the cooling system with the oil to coolant system, especially on the summer hauling horses around. I have yet to get the motor out of the truck and get a good look at how the oil to air system works, so I am unsure if the system is thermostat controlled. I will know this weekend.
One thing that I would like to know is why Ford changed to the oil to coolant system? Who knows, I am sure I will keep the oil to air cooler anyways. When I get the two apart and compare side by side I will let everyone know. Maybe by then I will know how to post pictures on this site. Thanks again.
Steve
One thing that I would like to know is why Ford changed to the oil to coolant system? Who knows, I am sure I will keep the oil to air cooler anyways. When I get the two apart and compare side by side I will let everyone know. Maybe by then I will know how to post pictures on this site. Thanks again.
Steve
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From: SW Va
Well I don't really know why they did it, but it probably had to do with saving money a number of ways, like not having to specify, order, inventory & install another part.
With the oil to water cooling system all they had to do is add another piece of aluminum tubing to the cold side radiator tank & hook up the two hoses.
The oil to water system may have had a larger radiator & water pump though, to handle the extra heat load.
In the winter, this system would get the oil up to operating temp faster & keep it there in really cold temps, so it had it's advantages.
Whatever you decde to do about the oil to air cooler, be sure to size it right for the heat load it'll be dealing with.
I forgot to add in my other post, that the flat plate coolers also have lower back pressure than the tube & fin coolers.
With the oil to water cooling system all they had to do is add another piece of aluminum tubing to the cold side radiator tank & hook up the two hoses.
The oil to water system may have had a larger radiator & water pump though, to handle the extra heat load.
In the winter, this system would get the oil up to operating temp faster & keep it there in really cold temps, so it had it's advantages.
Whatever you decde to do about the oil to air cooler, be sure to size it right for the heat load it'll be dealing with.
I forgot to add in my other post, that the flat plate coolers also have lower back pressure than the tube & fin coolers.
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From: western Kentucky
Well actually, the 88 and 94 truck both use the exact same radiator. On the 94 oil to water cooler the lower radiator hose connects to one side of the cooler then out of the cooler through about 3" of hose and into the water pump. The whole cooler assembly bolts to the oil filter boss and has a relocated position for the oil filter. I am sure cost had something to do with Ford adapting this setup, but who knows. If I ever get the chance to post pictures I will post them here so you can see the setup.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Yup pictures would be interesting.
The oil is designed to do it's thing at about 190F, so the oil to water cooler would warm it up operating temp quickly in winter & cool it down in summer, so there is something to be said for the oil to water cooling system.
Interesting that there doesn't seem to be any difference in the cooling system, between the two.
The oil is designed to do it's thing at about 190F, so the oil to water cooler would warm it up operating temp quickly in winter & cool it down in summer, so there is something to be said for the oil to water cooling system.
Interesting that there doesn't seem to be any difference in the cooling system, between the two.
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Junior User
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From: western Kentucky
The only differences up to this point are the water pump and lower radiator hose and of corse the oil filter mount. Luckily this makes it easy to use either setup.
Maybe you would know looking at you post count. Is there a certain number of post I must reach to post pictures or must I have a premium membership. I have read all the FAQ'S, but when I reply to a message or start a new thread there is no option to add a picture. Any idea?
Maybe you would know looking at you post count. Is there a certain number of post I must reach to post pictures or must I have a premium membership. I have read all the FAQ'S, but when I reply to a message or start a new thread there is no option to add a picture. Any idea?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
I don't remember what the requirements are to be able to post photos, but you could do it in something like photobucket & then post a link to that.
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