Will it be done before Parade?, Oil cooler installation Options

[Dave_Darling]

Since I'll be driving the 914 through a desert in July, I figure having an external oil cooler might be a good idea. I bought a cooler, thermostat, sandwich plate, and some fittings from Earl's quite a few years back. I don't have any lines, a way to mount the cooler, or a fan.

I wonder if I'll get the install done before the trip? If I do, it'll be close. I have a lot of other obligations which will keep me out of the garage for most days and evenings...

I intend to get the cooler mounted under the rear trunk floor, locate and fasten in the thermostat, add the sandwich plate, then hook it all together with rubber lines. Then I can remove the lines and measure them, so I can get better lines in the correct lengths.

The rubber lines (fuel rated, so hopefully OK with oil) may actually be used as a short-term solution, but I don't expect them to last very long.

I also have to figure out where to get the oil lines and a fan. Hopefully locally, so I don't have to pay for express shipping...

--DD

[wndsrfr]

Dave--I'm reminded of a small instruction sheet insert included with my daughter's bicycle when unpacking it in pieces at 2am on Christmas night--it read "NOTE: Assembly of bicycle require great peace of mind."
I've been through three iterations on the oil cooler starting with the location above passenger side axle and ending up with a big front mount unit. I think the rear location is ok for street use, but doesn't cut it for DE events of 30 minutes, so I finally went front mount.
Another factor is the oil lines as you mentioned. I went from rubber 1/2 inch hose with barb fittings and hose clamps to hydraulic ones to finally Summit's stainless wrapped AN10. The correct blue Earl's rubber is probably fine for street use but some PCA groups won't allow it for DE's, requiring screwed-on or swaged-on fittings. When I tried the hydraulic lines I found the interior diameter of the fittings to be much smaller than the exterior size would seem to indicate, causing a series of restrictions in the system.
Summit's AN10 (even better is AN12, but probably overkill) keeps a uniform 1/2inch flow path through all fittings and the hose. The fittings assemble easliy after you get the knack of cutting the hose. I used a procedure of using the air cutoff disc tool to cut the stainless braid but not through the rubber inner liner to avoid spooging up the line with debris. Then cut the rubber liner with a razor knife and finally flush and blow clean anyway.
When you mock it up, be sure to allow plenty of linear room at each fitting before you get to the flex line--you'll be surprised how much space each of them take and will likely have to re-mount the cooler to get it to fit, so actually better to only temporarily mount the cooler first, make up the lines, then firmly mount the assembly.
Good luck with it--it's a very satisfying project, but definitely requires great peace of mind!

[SirAndy]

"NOTE: Assembly of bicycle require great peace of mind."

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