pete + coleen

 

I mounted my cooler in the area behind the front license plate and ran the hoses along the driver's side fender well. I installed the thermostat on the inner fender, across from and a little to the rear of where the alternator sits. I guess you could say it's more like across from the #3 spark plug on the fender.

The trickiest part was running the hoses in such a way that they don't interfere with the opening and closing of the passenger side headlight.

The stat has to be mounted in-line between the adapter on the block (at the oil filter) and the oil cooler.

There are total of eight hose barbs involved. Two at the adapter (one "in" and one "out"), then the stat has four (two "in" and two "out") and the cooler has another two (one "in" and one "out").

The stat works by remaining closed (internally) until the oil temperature reaches 180F. Up to that point, the oil makes a 'U' turn at the stat and heads back to the adapter. Oil travels into one stat barb, through only half of the stat and out the barb on the other side.

Once the oil temp reaches 180, the stat opens (internally) and the oil then flows through the two outboard barbs, then through the cooler, then back through inboard two barbs on the stat and then to the adapter again.

That's how I have mine routed. Hope I was able to explain it.

Jake

 

Jake, yes thats a nice explanation, and should help LD85 out.

I see you got a "remote" unit though. This seems to explain the parts list of other items. I only purchased the basic DERALE unit #DER 15503. This would replace the stock unit in original location, I would assume. However, I don't know what fabricating needs done to accomodate this air-cooling unit vs. the stock water-cooling version. Would much be involved? Summitracing explained only a little. I liked the $79 price with 1 day shipping. Thats why I cancelled the stock unit order, which was $205 with 10 day lead time.

 

The Derale unit has a finned radiator (comes in different sizes) through which the oil flows. Then air, passing across the radiator fins, removes the heat from the oil before the oil is returned to the engine.

The Derale works on the same principle as the regular trans fluid coolers do and the same as our main/coolant radiator. Takes heat from the fluid and dissapates it into the air stream.

The stock system doesn't have the finned radiator. Heat from the oil is transferred to the coolant right at the adapter that's just above the oil filter.

Jake

 

Jake, with our PM's I got the picture much better now. Relocating the unit in front of the A/C radiator or between the A/C & coolant radiators is the best bet, for the airflow.

My unit is 3/4" thick. Does anyone know if there will be fitment issues with either location? I don't have my car to do any measurements.

 

Another possible location to mount it, which I hesitate to mention since I don't recommend it, is where the spare tire is mounted.

A friend of mine mounted his there, but that necessitates eliminating the spare altogether and makes for some very long hose runs to and from the cooler.

Jake

 

Jake, thats interesting.......you've got a crazy friend

 

Nah, tell your friend he's silly.. that's where the new radiator goes.. And the turbo/intercooler in it's old place..

 

Yea, tell me about it. You don't know the half of it. LOL

BTW, a week or two ago, someone else on the Forum posted they mounted their oil cooler in the same place. I'm always amazed at the things some folks do.

I remember one guy recommended setting lifter preload by using a dial indicator, ROFL!

Jake