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Hi,

I would like to fit an oil cooler and I've just received the 13 row model from TRF for the 3A. Where do I position the cooler? In front of the radiator? Under the chassis?

Any tips and pics. would be extremely welcome and helpfull.

Thanks

Yves

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Why would you install an oil cooler in the first place? Years ago, when I restored my 3A, I came up with the same question. Forumites here have talked me out of it. In short: you only need an oil cooler on the 3A when you're racing on a circuit.

 

If however, you still want to install it, I would suggest something like this:

Screenshot2014-03-30193848_zpsf6421ce3.p

 

However: an oil cooler in front of the radiator WILL block the airlflow - which isn't great on a 3a to begin with. Secondly: oil coolers tend to be great stone and debri catchers... The smallest stone will end your trip in tears. You really need some sort of gauze to protect the cooler.

 

In short: please rethink your plan.

 

Menno

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Yves,

 

I read somewhere that they should be sited as close as possible to the radiator core to maximise the air flow through both - either that or well away from the radiator so as not to block airflow.

 

As Menno infers, lots of debate on here about whether they are worth fitting, do you intend using a thermostat in the oil lines?

 

Mike

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Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice,and yes Menno, maybe I should think again about fitting one. I had the idea that it would help in keeping the engine a little bit cooler during our warm mountain summer.

And no Mike,I did not intend using a thermostat,but now that you've mentioned it....

Thanks,

Yves

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An inline thermostat would be wise: it gives the oil a chance to warm up properly before it's pumped towards the cooler. Warm (operating temp) oil is more effective than cold(er) oil.

 

Personally, I would invest in a properly set up cooling system. A few of us here (from Australia and Spain) have a lot of experience when it comes to keeping the engine temp under control. Just wait until they chip in with their comments and advice.

 

Menno

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Hi,I think you've got a point there Menno,I'm shopping around for an electric fan,but TRF doesn't sell them so I'm kinda trying to figure out what size I need and what make would be best.

What did you fit on the 3?

Yves

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Mine is the TFC 1011: http://www.pacet.co.uk/thinlinepacets.php and is mounted behind the radiator. You can also opt for the 1111. And you can opt for the 'pusher' fan in front of the radiator, making it possible to maintain the orginal fan on the engine. And, there's also the possibility to change the 4 blade fan for - I think- a 6 blade from a TR6. But I'm sure I'm going to be corrected by others if I'm wrong about that! And install the fan with a dashmounted switch so that you can choose the moment the fan cuts in yourself (e.g. when you see a steep hill ahead)

 

Our Australian friends have a nice article on their website with interesting info about the thermostat: 'Too Cool, a TR'

http://www.tr-register.com.au/Files/technical.htm Interesting info!

 

Originally, TR engine had a different type of thermostat that what we use today. A 'bellows' thermostat (use the search engine on this forum for more info): that thermostat blocks the main 'artery' to the radiator until the water has reached operating temp and then -partly- blocks the bypass to ensure that all the water will go through the radiator. When you use a modern thermostat, partly block the bypass with a coin with a small hole - again, use the search engine.

 

Make sure your radiator is up to scratch. On my car, the rad is recored and I've ditched the starter handle hole, making the rad far more effective. Some say up to 20%.

 

Use the correct rad pressure cap (search engine...), and use a proper water pump (again, s/engine).

 

And some have changed the system into a closed circuit system with an external overflow bottle somewhere high on the inner wing etc, to get rid of trapped air. Very sophisticated!

 

Our agricultural engines weren't built for modern day's lean fuels. Engines tend to run hotter nowadays. And there's nothing we can do about that. We cannot change the cause, but we can change the effects and we have the cure.

 

Menno

Edited by Menno van Rij 2
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When crawling under the car a few weeks ago to recover a dropped spire nut, I found an oil rad that I never new was fitted. It is so discretely sited that I cannot imagine it has ever had any meaningful volume of air pass over it.

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My car -- like many others -- fights slow-speed/idling cooling issues in our hot Midwestern summers, not high temperatures at speed, where an oil cooler would work. With airflow, everything settles down perfectly. So, to get more air going through the radiator the car is soon going to have this restored six-vaned original Triumph "tropical fan" blade installed:

i-6x89BRb-M.jpg

 

If I didn't have that, fershure I'd try one of Mark Macy's just-released "Hurricane" fans. This direct bolt-on for 4 cylinder TRs has the advantage of the vanes aerodynamically oriented the right way, unlike a backwards-mounted TR250/early TR6 fan. And at US$130, it's a cheaper option than a yellow plastic fan plus new Moss crankshaft extension.

SS100_1691crop.jpg

 

http://www.macysgarage.com/myweb6/Parts/triumph_accessories.htm

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Yves

 

The PO of my car fitted an oil cooler to my 3A. Personally, I think it has minimal impact on the overall cooling of the engine in its present position shown in the first photo below. I think incoming air either flows through the oil cooler or around it. I did suffering from high engine temperatures but this was pretty much eliminated once I installed the missing cowl around the radiator. which can also be seen in the first photo.

 

I do not express a view about the wisdom of fitting an oil cooler, but if you still wish to and are still worried about the overall cooling effect of fitting it in front of the radiator, the vertical positioning shown in the second photo might be an alternative. However, you will lose the benefit of the overall cooling effect of fitting the cowl unless you can mount the cooler vertically and forward of the cowl.

 

file_zps9f20a72a.jpg

 

file_zps0b631c97.jpg

 

Miles

Edited by MilesA
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Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice,and yes Menno, maybe I should think again about fitting one. I had the idea that it would help in keeping the engine a little bit cooler during our warm mountain summer.

And no Mike,I did not intend using a thermostat,but now that you've mentioned it....

Thanks,

Yves

I fitted an oil cooler when I rebuilt the engine some years back. At the same time I fitted an oil temp. gauge. Guess what.... the oil temp never rose above 45 deg C!!! It's now covered with an ali. shroud but still the oil only gets to about 55deg C rather than the 90deg ideal. I'll remove it when I have the time & inclination. Clearly a BAD idea unless you're racing.

Phil.

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