1988 oil cooler location?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
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1988 oil cooler location?
My parts book shows a radiator for oil cooling for 90-92. It doesn't show one for my 88. It does however show the oil filter mount adapter and the oil cooler lines coming off it. Does anyone know where these lines go and how this cooler works? I don't see them coming across to the radiator shroud.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
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From: Wallingford Vermont
Because those aren't oil lines coming off the filter adapter, they're coolant lines. One runs to a "T" in the heater core line the other goes to the engine block. The cooler (exchanger) is the actual filter mount.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Charlotte NC
The system works by running engine coolant (radiator water) through the metal housing located on top of the oil filter thereby cooling the oil (supposedly).
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
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Wow. Thanks for the info. That has to be the dumbest idea for cooling oil i have ever heard of. There is NO WAY there's enough surface area contact for any heat exchange worth mentioning to happen. That crap is coming out of there
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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It's much more effective than you would likely think!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
I've got one and it works. I guess those GM engineers are all smoking dope and trying to find ways to increase production costs for cars with no benefit.
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Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
In 1992 with the advent of the LT1 motor, GM went with a full synthetic oil from Mobil-1 and because synthetics were capable of handling much higher oil temps, there was no need for an oil cooler. So the system went away and there was both a cost savings and a weight savings.
So if you do choose to remove the oil cooler, use a good quality full synthetic oil that has the GM4718 certification. That oil will help to offset the removal of the cooler. You will probbly see higher oil temps wit it gone, but the synthetic oil wil handle the higher temps.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
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Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to run some Mobil 1 and not worry about it. All those hoses are hard as a brick after 25 years. The synthetic works i can spend the money elsewhere. As for GM engineers smoking dope i hope it was the good stuff they were toking when they came up with gems like the Vega with that really neato long lasting aluminum engine......
Race Director
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From: moraga ca
Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to run some Mobil 1 and not worry about it. All those hoses are hard as a brick after 25 years. The synthetic works i can spend the money elsewhere. As for GM engineers smoking dope i hope it was the good stuff they were toking when they came up with gems like the Vega with that really neato long lasting aluminum engine......
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Burning Brakes
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Race Director
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From: moraga ca
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 353
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From: Hamilton Ohio
When you remove that oil cooler, spin off the oil filter, then you will need a 1 1/16 socket to turn the large nut that holds the cooler to the block. Also, get ready to have coolant run down your arms when you remove the coolant lines. You either have to plug them or make a loop to pass the coolant on through. Once the cooler is out you will have to remove the two stud/bolts holding the oil filter adapter to the block. I think they are 11 MM. Then get a couple 5/16 X 1 1/4 bolts and bolt the oil filter adapter back to the block. Spin on another filter and add or change the oil. I just did this to help me isolate an oil leak I am having in that area.
Hope this helps. JD
Hope this helps. JD
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
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Likes: 2
When you remove that oil cooler, spin off the oil filter, then you will need a 1 1/16 socket to turn the large nut that holds the cooler to the block. Also, get ready to have coolant run down your arms when you remove the coolant lines. You either have to plug them or make a loop to pass the coolant on through. Once the cooler is out you will have to remove the two stud/bolts holding the oil filter adapter to the block. I think they are 11 MM. Then get a couple 5/16 X 1 1/4 bolts and bolt the oil filter adapter back to the block. Spin on another filter and add or change the oil. I just did this to help me isolate an oil leak I am having in that area.
Hope this helps. JD
Hope this helps. JD
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: mesa az
What are your oil temps ? Mine are 245-250. My oil is 20W-50 Castrol regular oil. I will go to synthetic when I can find 20W-50 synthetic. The selection is limited in these parts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: folsom california
Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to run some Mobil 1 and not worry about it. All those hoses are hard as a brick after 25 years. The synthetic works i can spend the money elsewhere. As for GM engineers smoking dope i hope it was the good stuff they were toking when they came up with gems like the Vega with that really neato long lasting aluminum engine......
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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Race Director
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From: Anaheim CA
The fix for that is to buy the Cosworth version. I knew a guy who had one. VERY interesting engine.