Oil cooler removal
#1
Oil cooler removal
I'm doing an a/c rebuild on my GTA and I figured while the radiator is out I might as well replace it with a new one. Decided to also replace my coolant hoses, and noticed that my metal oil cooler lines are pretty badly rusted on the inside. I just hate the thought of that rust making its way into my new radiator, so I'm considering just removing the oil cooler all together. I'd like to keep my car stock, but that thing just seems like more trouble than it's worth, and I use synthetic oil anyways.
How difficult is it to remove? I'm assuming it's just a couple of bolts? I looked on YouTube and didn't really find any videos.
I suppose another option might be to just cut out the metal lines and replace with rubber heater hose, but I'm not sure how well that would work. Seems like they'd just be flopping around under there without any way to secure them.
How difficult is it to remove? I'm assuming it's just a couple of bolts? I looked on YouTube and didn't really find any videos.
I suppose another option might be to just cut out the metal lines and replace with rubber heater hose, but I'm not sure how well that would work. Seems like they'd just be flopping around under there without any way to secure them.
Last edited by 80schild; 04-06-2024 at 09:02 PM.
#2
Supreme Member
Re: Oil cooler removal
You'll need a new oil filter adapter, that's it. Not very difficult. Definitely do not do the heater hose thing.
The following users liked this post:
80schild (04-06-2024)
#3
Re: Oil cooler removal
Last edited by 80schild; 04-06-2024 at 09:21 PM.
#4
Supreme Member
Re: Oil cooler removal
Yep, you will also need to buy two 5/16"-18 x 1 1/4" bolts to install it. Blue loctite recommended on those. The gasket is controversial.
#5
Re: Oil cooler removal
Im a bit confused on the filter. Will the normal size filter for a 350 work? I see some reviews saying to buy the filter for a 454, but then some of those are for 4wd and talk about not clearing the front drive shaft.
#6
Supreme Member
Re: Oil cooler removal
Whatever size WIX #51060 is fits in a third gen. Unless you've got a front driveshaft.
#7
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,723
Received 773 Likes
on
520 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Oil cooler removal
You don't need a different oil filter adapter, just swap out the 2 bolts that locate cooler.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: South Windsor, CT
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
Received 212 Likes
on
178 Posts
Car: '89 GTA
Engine: ZZ6TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 3.70:1
Re: Oil cooler removal
Hawks sells reproduction oil cooler hard lines made of aluminum if you are interested in keeping the oil cooler. Otherwise, you can certainly eliminate it and remove the lines and heat exchanger. As was already stated, the oil filter adapter is the same, just uses different bolts. Same oil filter with or without the cooler.
#9
Re: Oil cooler removal
Hawks sells reproduction oil cooler hard lines made of aluminum if you are interested in keeping the oil cooler. Otherwise, you can certainly eliminate it and remove the lines and heat exchanger. As was already stated, the oil filter adapter is the same, just uses different bolts. Same oil filter with or without the cooler.
Those new lines look like they would be tough to install though, without raising the engine.
#10
Re: Oil cooler removal
Anyways, the GM one looked way better built then the pot metal Melling one, so I reused it.
The following users liked this post:
TTOP350 (04-09-2024)
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: South Windsor, CT
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 0
Received 212 Likes
on
178 Posts
Car: '89 GTA
Engine: ZZ6TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 3.70:1
Re: Oil cooler removal
Yes, the GM adapter is better made.
#12
Re: Oil cooler removal
The same adapter is used for either the oil cooler or no oil cooler and just the oil filter. The only difference is the bolts. No oil cooler uses standard hex hex head bolts and with the oil cooler uses hex bolts with extension pins to keep the oil cooler from rotating.
Yes, the GM adapter is better made.
Yes, the GM adapter is better made.
#13
Supreme Member
Re: Oil cooler removal
Needed it to convert the L31 I had with the cooler, I guess it depends on what motor you're using.
#14
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,723
Received 773 Likes
on
520 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Oil cooler removal
Depends on type of cooler used.
The following users liked this post:
80schild (04-09-2024)
#16
Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: Oil cooler removal
In one of them the oil leaves the engine, flows through the oil lines into the oil cooler inside the radiator endcap and back into the engine.
In the other one coolant leaves the cooling system, flows through the coolant lines into the engine oil warmer on the engine then back into the cooling system.
Two different styles of oil cooler/warmer depending on how you want to look at it. I prefer the one that doesn't dump all your oil out if it fails. Or better yet neither of them and run a high quality synthetic oil. I prefer the oil stays in the oil system and the coolant stays in the cooling system.
In the other one coolant leaves the cooling system, flows through the coolant lines into the engine oil warmer on the engine then back into the cooling system.
Two different styles of oil cooler/warmer depending on how you want to look at it. I prefer the one that doesn't dump all your oil out if it fails. Or better yet neither of them and run a high quality synthetic oil. I prefer the oil stays in the oil system and the coolant stays in the cooling system.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post