Oil coolers - where?

Ron Earp · 07-21-06, 12:16 PM

What are you fellows using for engine oil coolers that don't cost a fortune? Ditto transaxle oil coolers, since I think I'll be installing one of those on the 016 to give it all the chance in the world.

John Fitzpatrick · 07-21-06, 01:37 PM

Ron-
Depending on your definition of a fortune, there are usually several aircraft oil coolers on eBay at any one time. Much better quality (and efficiency) than the usual fin-and-tube.
Listed in category: eBay Motors > Parts & Accessories > Aviation Parts > Parts

There's one from a Bell Jet Ranger for $100 with AN fittings.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bell-...QQcmdZViewItem

Neal · 07-21-06, 02:06 PM

Baker Precision has a good selection at reasonable prices.
www.bakerprecision.com

chuck smith · 07-21-06, 02:32 PM

Ron,I found mine on EBAY from a company in NC called Racecity race parts. It was a quality piece with -12AN fittings for 25 bucks. I would suggest going to their web site. I got all my Nomex Startlite hose there for 20 cents on the dollar. I think there are several used race parts stores in the Charlotte area. I also got a very nice race car fire extinguisher setup from them,75 bucks. chuck

Bill Musarra · 07-21-06, 06:04 PM

I got all my hoses and AN stuff off Ebay, but got the coolers from Earls(25stack, 10AN) and some 9"Spall units. Probably paid too much by the standards of the earlier post but they are killer looking. The spray bar and sprayers for the trans can be had from Aircraft Spruce. Haven't ordered mine yet. Still designing the mid trans mounts. Will pull the trans apart to lenghten the studs and drill for the sprayers at the same time.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com./menus/ha/fittings.html

Bill Musarra · 07-21-06, 06:05 PM

Had to post one more to get above the count!!!!!

Howard Jones · 07-22-06, 12:37 AM

Ron, pick out the Earls cooler you like and call up Summit with the part number. They will be able to get it for you.

I have found that Summit will be VERY near the lowest cost you can buy most things and be assured of prompt delivery, liberal return policy, and all new parts, not to mention saving a lot of time looking for the best price only to save a couple of dollars.

Dano · 07-22-06, 01:34 AM

Beware. Why are they selling the cooler? Because the engine failed, and there are little pieces of material in the cooler that will not come out. Any used cooler should be cleaned, and Pacific Oil Coolers is one of the few FAA certified places that can do it correctly. Just cleaning one out with the car wash sprayer won't work. They charge about 100 bucks to clean one.

I can't see cutting corners on a used cooler. How much do you spend on the engine? Buy a new one. I use Fluidyne coolers. Not cheap. But far better than any others I've seen. Of course it was 106 at my house yesterday. So, I need a serious cooler.

Previously, on my 351C car, I ran an earls cooler AND an in-radiator heat exchanger built in to my Ron Davis radiator. I saw no reduction in oil temps. Saw up to 30 degrees with the Flyuidyne DB600. It was the largest cooler I could find. parked it right in front of the radiator, with a small gap. Works good.

Dan

Jac Mac · 07-22-06, 03:09 AM

Laminova www.racerpartswholesale.com/mocal3.htm

You will need pn/ MOCA 43330 with water end fittings to suit waterpump/lower radiator return pipe and probably -12 oil fittings.

Jac Mac

JimmyMac · 07-22-06, 04:45 AM

Dano,
I fully agree with you that nobody should attempt to use a second hand aircraft oil cooler.
I bought three on the cheap from eBay but in my opinion they are useless unless you have them professionally cleaned and tested. The detritus from service is baked into the matrix and this required ultrasonic vibration and a chemical clean to remove (at great cost).
I had this done but did not trust the end results and ended up purchasing two new coolers from Pacific. I received substantial help there from Wayne who modified my coolers in manufacture by inletting nozzles into the tops prior to anodising.

James

Malcolm · 07-22-06, 05:03 AM

Wow, those are structurally strong looking coolers!

John W · 07-22-06, 06:23 AM

James, they close to originals.

Who made the base plates ?
Any prices or contact details ?

Regards,
John.

JimmyMac · 07-22-06, 06:44 AM

John,
These coolers were used on MKII's onwards.
I have now sold most of my original parts but I think I have some baseplates somewhere.
Send me a pm with your address.

Keith Hardy · 07-22-06, 08:03 AM

Jimmy, are you still building a '40??

chuck smith · 07-22-06, 09:44 AM

mine was a new oil cooler--many parts sold by race city are new,just left over or out of date.