I have a 289 in my 54 f-100. I am thinking about installing an oil cooler on it to help out with the Hot Sacramento summers. Last summer, before the A/C was installed the engine would get up to 220 degrees. It never boiled over, but with the addition of the A/C this winter, I am thinking things may not go well. The problem is that I don't exactly see a good mounting place for the cooling element. The area in front of the radiator is crowded already with a trans cooler and the condensor for the A/C. Has anybody out there installed an oil cooler? Where did you mount it? Did it help the engine run cooler? Did you notice any improved oil pressure, etc.? If you had to do it all over again, would you still install it at all? Any thoughts would be appreciated. John T

 

John

I think you would see most benefit by improving your cooling systems performance. Your radiator is probably in trouble if you ran 220 before the AC. Oil cooler isn't going to solve it. If you cool the engine off, the oil will be cooled sufficiently right along with it.

 

I can't disagree with 'fenders on this one. If you're running 220 constantly, there's a problem somewhere. The oil cooler will help some (maybe 10 degrees), but it won't cure your cooling problem completely. I installed an oil cooler some years ago under a 29 Ford. I say under, because there is no place to put it in front of the radiator without it showing. I made some brackets and mounted it up under the area about where the front seat is and mounted a Toyota radiator fan on top of it blowing down that I could operate with a toggle switch. Anytime I was in heavy traffic, the temperature would creep up to around 220 and by turning on the fan I could bring it back down to about 210. It never overheated though. I was running a four inch Cobra Walker radiator, a shroud, and a heavy duty fan. A 289 is a pretty cool running engine. At least the one in my 65 Mustang is and it does not have a large or thick radiator. If it runs 220 at highway speed, you probably have a clogged radiator. It it heats up in traffic, you either need more radiator capacity, more fan or fan blades, a shroud, move the fan closer to the radiator, or a combination of these factors.

 

Thanks for the input guys. The truck only got up to 220 on a few occassions on the hottest days last summer. The tubes look open looking through the neck, but I think I will have it checked while the truck is still apart. I like the idea of mounting the cooler under the cab. The remote fan also sounds good. Over the three-day weekend, I think I will have time to get under there and look for mounting spots. You gotta love FTE!!! John T

 

John,

If it's only running up to 220 on the hottest days and only on occasion, you may be okay. As long as you keep enough coolant in the system and don't boil over, you can run 220 on occasion. You just don't want it running there all the time because it doesn't give you much leeway.