Oil cooler

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Frank....What did you replace it with ?.........Bruce

Sold!  Replaced with smaller horizontal mount Setrab. I had to go smaller to fit the Kafer bar.

What Kafer Bar are you going with?

How are you liking the Setrab?

The Kafer bar is from Mendeola. It had to be modified to fit my heat exchangers. As far as how it works, it hasn't fallen off yet but I haven't been able to run it long enough to tell how it works. I wouldn't buy one if I had to do it again. Probably get one from Eyball engineering or the empi one. Rusty, I haven't got my transaxle back yet so I can't tell how the cooler will work  The old cooler was OK but I didn't like the mounting flat against the bulkhead. I made brackets for the new one that move it so it is pointing down at a 45 angle. I had to get the smaller Setrab for fitment issues. I'll let you know how it works when I get the engine back in.

Frank- What do you not like about the Mendeola bar that you wouldn't buy it again?

ALB posted:

Frank- What do you not like about the Mendeola bar that you wouldn't buy it again?

x2

Before you consider putting everything back together I suggest moving that oil cooler elsewhere. Over the trans is not a good location. There's a old post regarding mounting oil coolers. Check it out.

Let me take some pictures. It will explain both the truss bar and the cooler mount a lot better than my miserable word smithing.

If you have swing axle rear suspension the best place IMHO is behind the torsion bar housing and between the transaxle and one of the spring plates.  It's relatively well protected there and gets good airflow.  I've never had any problem with it.  Disregard this if you have IRS.

Here are some lousy pictures. It's hard it get an iPad up under there.  The mods to the Kafer bar were done to move the rear bar that goes from the shock tower mount down to the frame horn engine mount bolts. I had to do this because the truss bar was right in the way of the heat exchanger outlet.  Sorry if this offends some but in my opinion it is typical California engineering .   Why should any one care if the bar is in the way of the heat exchangers.  We don't need no stinkin heaters.  Hey, in Nebraska on a 40 degree night the heater feels pretty good.

So you wouldn't buy the Meneola because it won't fit with the heat exchangers?

I'm in the process of replacing my 11x11 oil cooler/fan unit. The fan went bad and the cooler had a weepy leak. No shame as it's been in there since '97! It lives above transaxle behind the engine. NOT easy to get to with the engine in. I had to remove the starter, right half shaft and heater box to get the old one out. Lost a good bit of time trying to get the old one out until I gave in and pulled the heater box. Damnit! The good news is that it is a direct replacement and will mount on existing mount. Couple of hours tomorrow and all should be A-OK! Phew!

~WB

I wouldn't buy one because ; it won't fit heat exchangers, no instructions, it's a bitch to install, I don't think the upper shock plate mounts are designed very well and last, it's more money than all the rest.

I suggest looking at options. The setrab coolers are available slightly smaller and more efficient. I use one that is slightly smaller than your Mesa design empi one.  Relocating it in the fender well or in clean air so  in normal driving the fan doesn't need to be on..then you have shorter oil lines. Just because the manufacture mounts them there doesn't mean it's right.

Thanks FP. This was going to be my next mod. Have you come across a better design? I have no need for heat...But I do have some nice twisty turns. 

Bill, go to Eyeball engineering website. Theirs looks pretty good. Easier to install and I'm sure it will work even better because it doesn't have the goofy shock tower plates that I think flex all over the place. They said it will fit heaters also.