2056'ers Running External Oil Cooler, Are you running one? Options

[BeatNavy]

I'm several weeks into breaking in a 2056 rebuild I did last winter. Basic specs:

1. 8.6 CR
2. 9950 Raby Cam
3. Len Hoffman built AA 2.0 heads
4. D-Jet
5. 123 Disitributor

I am surprised how challenging it has been to "dial this in" to optimal. I had to dial back the timing to about 26 to eliminate some pre-ignition (even with 89 octane and cooler range spark plugs), but now the engine itself is a blast. At one point I couldn't figure out why my head temps were running above 350 and oil temps hit 270 ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yikes.gif) ) until I finally found the paper towel that got wedged underneath the impeller, upsetting the air flow ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) ).

After fixing that fubar, I'm running amazingly cool head temps (e.g., 270 cruising at 60 in 4th gear), but my oil still wants to creep up higher than I'd like. As an example, today I did 20 minutes of spirited driving with ambient temps around 60 and oil was 210+. I am running without the engine lid right now, so I don't know if that's impacting both head and oil temps. I'm also pretty sure cooling flaps are working right, and I hope nothing else is fouling the air flow/cooling.

SO, to my original question: how many of you 2056-'ers are running external oil temps (and what oil temp were you running prior)? I'm going to buy a Setrab oil cooler in any event, as I have a 2.3 waiting for install later this year, but I'm trying to determine if something else is going on with my timing/tuning/oil cooling or if it's not completely unusual for 2056 to need one.

Thanks for any input (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[saigon71]

Hi Rob:

Glad the 2056 is treating you well so far. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I don't run an external cooler on my 2056. It's one of the reasons I decided not to go with a bigger build.

Spirited driving on a very hot day, I'll reach 240. Stuck in stop & go traffic on a very hot day, I've hit 260.

Normal 70ish weather, I top out around 200-210 or so with spirited driving.

This is as registered with a VDO cockpit gauge only. Running Brad Penn 20-50, stock disty & points, factory timing, rear deck lid on with rain tray.

Hope this info helps.

[BeatNavy]

Hi Rob:

Glad the 2056 is treating you well so far. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I don't run an external cooler on my 2056. It's one of the reasons I decided not to go with a bigger build.

Spirited driving on a very hot day, I'll reach 240. Stuck in stop & go traffic on a very hot day, I've hit 260.

Normal 70ish weather, I top out around 200-210 or so with spirited driving.

This is as registered with a VDO cockpit gauge only. Running Brad Penn 20-50, stock disty & points, factory timing, rear deck lid on with rain tray.

Hope this info helps.

Hey Bob! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Yeah, I was under the impression that a pretty standard 2056 build shouldn't really NEED additional oil cooling. But I'm sort of running out of other ideas in terms of timing / tuning / air flow that may explain my temps. Just wanted to see if other 2056 owners found they needed a cooler.

I was thinking 210 didn't sound too bad, but I never had oil temp gauges on my Corvairs or my 914. (That is being fixed soon.)
I have been reading that the original oil temp red zone was almost 300 deg. Educate me!

210 is not bad, but ambient temps were pretty cool today. 75 degrees and up and I'm probably more at 240, which is really too hot.