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

[Dave_Darling]

My car's oil has gotten hot enough climbing through the Cascades in mid-summer (Portland Parade a few years ago) that we took a couple of breaks to let it cool. The car is probably in better tune now, but we're headed over the Sierras, which is rather higher as I recall. And it will likely be hotter through NV. Makes me want a cooler for peace of mind, if I can get it done.

I'm getting proper oil hose from a local company. I think the lines will be -10 AN; I have Earl's fittings for most or all of the junctions. I will need to make sure I give it enough bending radius when doing the layout, and I hadn't thought enough about how much of a straight run the fittings will need. Fortunately I have most of the fittings so I should be able to get it close.

I know the front of the car is the best location for a cooler. I don't want it there. I don't want it on the engine lid, or in front of the cooling fan. I want it under the trunk, in an area out of the air flow and in an area heated up by the exhaust. I know it will be sub-optimal there, but I believe that a 25-plate cooler (about 12x9 dimensions) should provide adequate cooling for my purposes. I made that decision years and years ago, back when I ordered the cooler--which is why I picked one of that particular size.

I have oil temp and pressure gauges already.

--DD