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Oil cooler TR4


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HI all. One of the tasks for this winter is to put on an oil cooler with a spin on filter conversion. Looking at the options from the usual suspects there seem to be two options or three if I just want a spin on filter conversion.

 

Attached are two pictures of the oil cooler parts, Now I assume that one has a block that fits between the existing filter housing and the engine block using stud extenders provided, but leaves me with the standard paper element. The other has a spin on filter and I assume that this just replaces the filter bowl and bolts to the housing and you spin the filter on. I suppose I could use the first and then a spin on adaptor from the non oil cooler type without any pipe connection.

 

Given the instructions are usually poor with the type of things (from previous experience and sometimes non existent), does anybody have pictures of either type in situ so I can see if I'm correct.

 

Also Thermostats does anybody have an opinion on these for the oil cooler and if they are necessary.

 

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Mark

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Mark,

 

As Alec suggests, an oil cooler is not required unless racing. My 4A gets some stick, has been driven in high ambient temps and does not have a cooler.

 

Cheers

 

Graeme

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Hi Mark,

I was also thinking of an oil cooler on my 4A and was advised to forget it for normal" spirited" driving. I have upgraded to an Ali radiator and electric fan and while I appreciate this is an indirect and probably more expensive way of keeping the oil cool it does allow the oil to work at normal temperature in colder weather while ensuring I never( dangerous word) overheat.

 

 

What I have learnt is that it does not pay to use cheap oil. One question though, while I now use Millers classic 20_50 the Penrite .au site recommends 20_60 for TR4 & 4A.

I know this is all down to choice but was is the difference likely to be?

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Guys,

 

Sadly, an aluminium radiator is also an expensive 'upgrade' that will not improve cooling (aluminium is worse than copper at transferring heat)

NTC started a thread on useless upgrades that should be compulsory reading:

http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/42956-useless-so-called-upgrade-parts/

Edited by Paul Harvey
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Oh Mark, what have you started.

 

Many people think an oil cooler si a good idea because the racing boys use them and the ali rad ;)

 

The racing boys do lots of revs flat out so cooling the oil is a necessity. The Ali rad is there for lightness not heat transfer.

many racers use Ali wings and bonnets etc but again they are a bit delicate for normal touring etc. However it may save a few pennies on fuel.

 

Don't even think about the lead/tin tablets for the fuel tank of ebay.

 

These cars cost a fortune to keep going so look at all purchase and ask - what benefit will it give.

 

As for quality oil - what is quality oil. Indeed Penrite and Millers do some very good stuff.

But many members have run Halfords classic for many many thousands of miles with no problems.

 

Keep smiling

 

Roger

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What a load of old b*llocks, I have allsorts of shiny bits to my 4A and it's given me a great deal of pleasure, I don't smoke, the kids have left home and I have a few bob spare each month and I will spend it how I please, it makes you wonder what sort of goons think we should all be doing the same thing, wearing identical blue suits and having the same hair cuts, oh yes, I have fitted an oil cooler, next off EFI, put that in your pipe and smoke it!!

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Hi Andrew,

blimey that was a raw nerve!!

 

No problem in fitting whatever weird and wonderful things you desire but the comments above were meant as 'think about it'.

 

The more techy items fitted can prove a greater source of problems - not always, but once is too often.

 

A friend of mine has every thing in the engine bay chromed - you need sunglasses when the bonnet is up. Not my cup of tea but he is as happy as Larry.

 

Sadly I don't smoke but I'm sure I can find a liquorice pipe somewhere. :):P

 

Roger

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What a load of old b*llocks, I have allsorts of shiny bits to my 4A and it's given me a great deal of pleasure,

 

Andrew,

 

I bet I have more bollocks on my car than yours, and I wouldn't change a thing.

However, running an oil cooler WITHOUT a thermostat like I did for a while can damage the engine but that is exactly what some of the TR specialists sell.

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exactly what some of the TR specialists sell.

 

Paul,

 

And then sell you more parts to repair! Double profit for them.

 

My 4A has had just about every 'upgrade' part fitted to it and most have been removed over time, as most don't work well.

 

Cheers

 

Graeme

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Opps, does sound like I've opened a can of worms.

 

My car runs at 70 degrees all day every day, except when sitting in traffic, so a electric fan is also on my Christmas list, but i think I'll keep quite about that and the ali radiator is ridiculously expensive, but shinny :-)

 

Thanks for the advise, will drop the cooler upgrade, but will go with the spin on adapter.

 

We do seem to get very animated when talking about our pride and joys, each to his (and her) own, if we were all the same the world would be a very dull place:-) And if we can share our experiences and stop too many poor ones being repeated, then this forum is doing its job.

 

 

Mark

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Opinions aplenty on the forum!

 

No oil cooler or one with a thermostat seems to be the consensus on this particular point.

Otherwise there's a real danger that the engine oil does not get up to temp, ie circa 90c, and thus does not work efficiently or boil off condensation.

 

For most of us these cars are toys, and toys need to be played with...... That's my excuse anyway!

 

Steve

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Hello, electric fuel pump is on my list as well, the one I fancy is the kit with a controller that runs the pump for two mins when you switch the ignition off, takes the heat out of the engine. I am trying to work out how to keep the heater working, one thought I have had is a three way valve to bypass the heater radiator in summer with an additional pump that switches on when the fan is switched on, only been thinking about it for two years, there again, that's half the fun!! I have the sandwich plate thermostat fitted with my oil cooler, very neat, I also fabricated a device that directs the cool air through the oil cooler and cut three holes in the valance to help cooling, when I use my car it goes on long runs, usually motorway, my temperature gauge never moves from the straight up and down, one mod I can recommend is a low coolant level alarm, supplied by http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk/shop/index.php , very neat and effective. All of my extensive 'upgrades' work without altering the external appearance of the car, cheers, Andrew

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The most effective cooling upgrade is an electric fan sucking through the radiator as a replacement for the original fan.

Can be wired with a thermostat in the radiator pipe and works automatically.

I chose to wire mine so it stays on for a while after the ignition is killed to deal with heat sink.

If I am leaving the car I can remove the under dash kill switch which is my anti-theft AND anti-battery drain device.

 

No upgrade will work if the engine waterways are full of crud, which they absolutely will be if the engine has never been thoroughly cleaned.

My car ran too hot for 30 years until the engine was rebuilt - the **** in No 4 cylinder area was monumental.

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The one and only time my car runs on is if I leave my Facet running when I turn the ignition off. I use a plastic crank fan too that seems to keep everything running spot on temperature wise so the Facet is 'just in case' and for sustained slow traffic like we get going into Le Mans.

 

I also have an oil cooler fitted - firstly to give me a bigger oil capacity and so that I feel better when hammering my 4a about on track and road and it means I can forget for even longer to check the oil level. Even if it does look racy it can't be seen behind the rad' shroud. I don't run a thermostat but then I don't fire the car up and wizz off without some warming up either and tend not to drive in deep mid winter.

 

I do like the shiny Ally rad's - look racy although not got one yet..

 

It's a good job we're all different as are our cars..

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Andrew,

 

I bet I have more bollocks on my car than yours, and I wouldn't change a thing.

However, running an oil cooler WITHOUT a thermostat like I did for a while can damage the engine but that is exactly what some of the TR specialists sell.

Any particular reason why MGB's are supplied with oil coolers & we appear to be against them with TR's? Reasonably similar animal?

Cheers.

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