Replacing Oil Cooler Seals, Engine out, this should be easy, right? Options

[BeatNavy]

Ok, this should be easy. I have the engine sitting on a dolly, and I'm trying to figure out where I access the oil cooler seals so I can replace them while the engine's out. I know they are on the vertical side of the cooler, and probably on the inside (not outside) side of the cooler, right? Getting access under the engine is a little difficult since it's on the dolly and I currently don't have a good view up directly underneath. What do I need to remove in order to get access to those seals? Should I attack it from the top or from underneath? I started to remove the oil filter housing but the top nut is pretty well hidden too...

[BeatNavy]

Cool, thanks for the comments, gentlemen.

Yup, took Dave and Rich's advice and took the fan shroud off and went that direction. And as Larmo63 said, it's pretty straightforward. I was surprised how the shroud comes off in one piece so easily and how light it is.

Here's some progress pics (sorry for bad lighting and phone camera - as warmer weather is arriving I'll get natural light by opening the garage door. Can't wait - feel like I've been working in a cave):



With the fan removed it is a good time to check timing marks as Rich mentioned:


Oil Cooler on Engine. Those three 10mm nuts hold the cooler on the studs:


With the cooler removed, here are the old seals. The one on bottom looked pretty good, but the one on top looked old, and the inside "lip" was pretty well worn off. Is the upper the oil "in" line and the lower the "out?" Either that is what happened to the seal on top (hotter oil) or someone previously replaced only the bottom seal.



Replacing them was easy. Just a little light grease to hold them in place. I realize I didn't take any pictures of the new seals in place. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

And, as also mentioned, do some cleanup and painting. I had actually painted the front / top yesterday, but this was a chance to do it right and get all of the shroud. I agree, the engine will look pretty sweet now with a clean, shiny fan shroud and the powdercoated engine tin. Took me a fair amount of time to get the grease cleaned off it. Something is leaking oil somewhere...


Rich, the engine mounts look like they are in good shape. I don't think they are original. But here's the "bad" news in this process:

I noticed The oil pressure sending unit hose looks like it's leaking or about to start leaking:


This is one of those "remote" sending units. Any recommendations for what I should do for replacing the hose? If necessary I'll just put the stock "dummy light" sending unit in. Here's the actual unit:


Then, per Dave's comment, the Alternator cooling hose/grommet/fitting is a bit torn. Gonna have to source one of those.


Finally, the fan flaps are giving me a little challenge. Here's a picture of the plastic piece (one on the inside of each flap). Is this the only thing that holds the flap rod in the holder? Does the engine tin then hold this in place? I ask because it doesn't seem to be very secure.


And, I'm not sure the spring on the flap rod is set correctly. Does this look correct? the spring doesn't seem to get "loaded" and do anything this way. (The thermostat wire is not hooked up - something else on my to do list).


Thanks for the help and advice. Here's the cleaned up shroud temporarily back on engine. I can't finalize putting it back on until I figure out these couple of issues. But with new seals and replacing that oil pressure hose I should probably be able to keep this engine clean for a little while anyway.