Do I put on an oil cooler

[mach1 mark]

I was browsing e-bay and noticed the low price of oil coolers, ussually they come w/the adapter, lines and the cooler for about $20 to $50.
My 200 as a FL-1A filter which is the same filter as my 1972 351c.

Is it a good idea to put on an oil-cooler (not a transmission oil cooler) on the 200 will it hurt or help. Also will a cooler for a 302 or the 351w, 406,429, 5.0 newer mustang and so-on work w/my 200?

 

[addo]

Any Ford V-8 spec oil cooler that fits, will work. Many people would say it's not needed unless you live in a perpetually hot environment. If you ran a dual filter adapter with two FL-1As, it might be better as you could go longer between oil changes. Otherwise you are constantly swapping more oil, at the usual interval.

 

[woodbutcher]

I have an oil cooler off of a Lycoming aircraft engine.Will use it for either the engine or transmission oil.Got a good price on it too.FREE.New in box.
Leo

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

I am going to run a 2.3L turbo oil cooler and a remote fitler. the 2.3L cooler goes between the block and filter and you run your heater lines through it. makes for a handy install since on the 200 the filter is right next to the water pump. going to a remote setup will make the oil changes easier since it won't be tucked under the PS pump

 

[fordconvert]

I dont know about the fords but most GM trucks in the 90's had them and all they seem to do is leak from various places. So if you dont really need one I wouldnt bother. The only time I have heard of anyone needing one is doing alot of towing in hot climates. I had a friend that pulled a 24' trailer with his E350 out west, in his case it made a big differnce in oil consumption. I ended up taking them off my cars and trucks to stop the leaks and have not seen any change in anything other than the leaks have stopped.

 

[LaGrasta]

If you need one, then the cooling system isn't working as intended and you should spend your attention there. If you lived in Phoenix, then maybe.

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

I am just going to one for the turbo (tends to heat oil up a bit)

 

[LaGrasta]

yeah, running a turbo is a whole other story I'd imagine. I hope I get to write that story some day.

 

[AZstang66]

haha! I live in phoenix and i'm installing one soon!

 

[xctasy]

According to Cleveland engine builder and Ford Special Vehicles man Mick Webb, an oil cooler is a "problem hiding a problem".

Although it will answer you oil temperature issues, it often hurts the pressure and cavitation at the oil pump. On most Fords, its better to add sump capacity, then over add oil capacity when racing, and use a windage tray and crank scaper.

Although these methods are three times the price, most Mustangs can have a Hi Engery sump or custom sump built and added to the car without major work. Look at Mustang Geezer's web site for details.


The oil cooler will do a job, but it tends to take total capacity and pressure away from the system on start up, and can create more problems for three simple reasons. Clevelands are the worst for this, but I6 Fords also suffer from the same 1) too small sump, 2) too efficient oil pump which cavitats at 6200 rpm, and 3) hydralic lifters which steal oil supply from the maij bearings.

All Ford hydraulic lifter engines from the prioity oil system bleed off oil to the lifters, and the system is compromised by drowning the valve gear.

 

[rbohm]

8) when ford added oil coolers to the 2.3 turbo engines, and the ssp 5.0 mustangs, they did it more for consistancy in oil temprature rather than to actually cool the oil. engine oil works best in a narrow temp range, as opposed to atf which works better when running below 150 degrees. the oil coolers ford used in those cars were run off the cooling system and thus avoids the problems of a lack of oil pressure on start up, and a loss oil volume when running.

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

8) when ford added oil coolers to the 2.3 turbo engines, and the ssp 5.0 mustangs, they did it more for consistancy in oil temprature rather than to actually cool the oil. engine oil works best in a narrow temp range, as opposed to atf which works better when running below 150 degrees. the oil coolers ford used in those cars were run off the cooling system and thus avoids the problems of a lack of oil pressure on start up, and a loss oil volume when running.

I had the same info basicly. I guess the best combo is a air/oil and water/oil cooler combo. the air/oil is to remove the heat and the water/air actually HEATS the oil back up to the proper temps consistantly. While the water/oil cooler does a fine job on its own the use of a air/oil cooler only is not recommended as the oil temps can vary too much (think if you are feeding the same air to the cooler at 10F adn 90F...def will get different results.

I may run a air/oil and the water/oil I am planning if I can find routing and room for the cooler. Also running a water/oil unit helps speed warm up for the car since the oil will come to temp first then the coolent. it will make the oil reach temp slower but keeps the whole system uniform in operation better.

well that is my .02