Oil Cooler Question

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Mar 10, 2010 | 09:18 PM

RB_X2_contra

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Oil Cooler Question

Hey guys,
I have a 1997 F-250 Powerstroke (with turbo). My oil cooler just recently got a hairline crack in it, and I need to replace it. I found a cooler off of a 1991 E-250 7.3 (non-turbo), and I was just wondering if anyone knew if it would bolt up or not. Thanks in advance!

Mar 10, 2010 | 11:39 PM

Diesel_Dirk

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From: ON & AB, Canada

You sure its cracked? Usually the O-rings go. Where is it leaking from? Its 3 parts 2 aluminum pieces with a round steel tube inbetween. Where they join are O-rings and where the mount to the motor are re-usable gaskets.
Changing it is fairly easy, loosen the right motor mount, undo the left one, lift the motor a bit, unbolt the cooler and pull it out.
Rebuilding it is straight forward, pull it apart and clean thouroughly. Reassembly is a little challenging as the new O-rings are real tight. A large C-clamp works well.
As far as interchanging them .... believe the center tube is the same but the aluminum housings are possibly different from the van to the truck.

Mar 11, 2010 | 05:55 AM

RB_X2_contra

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It's deffinatly a crack. As soon as you start the truck and there's pressure you can see it start to seep through it. I wish it was just the rings. haha. And it is right in the center tube, the housings seem to be fine.

Mar 11, 2010 | 05:57 PM

Brown Falcon

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From: Thomasville, GA

SHouldn't have to lift the motor at all to get it out. I got mine out fine just taking the tire off and wiggling it out.

Not sure if the van cooler will fit though...

Mar 11, 2010 | 06:48 PM

RRranch

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I don't think you'll be able to use the one off the 91. The oil cooler I had on my 91 pickup looked nothing like these.

I got the cooler off my 97 this morning while laying in the mud and while it was snowing with no problem at all. It took me half an hour to work the bolts out with frozen fingers, an hour and a half to come warm up by the fire and drink coffee then 5 minuted to go back and pull it out. No problem at all.

Mar 12, 2010 | 08:53 AM

RB_X2_contra

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Thanks a lot guys. The search for a new oil cooler continues... hahaha

Mar 12, 2010 | 09:26 AM

RRranch

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From: West Texas

Is the crack on the steel tube part? If so and it were mine I'd be welding it up before I replaced it. Anyone with a tig or mig can do that easy.
The aluminum parts on the end I wouldn't even try to weld but you can replace them by themselves without buying a whole new cooler.