Oil Cooler

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Bill, where do you think they put the aux cooler?  Kirk recommended the aux cooler since I live in AZ and have the 2110cc engine, even though I did not want A/C.  I have the remote oil filter in the drivers side rear wheel well, nothing in the passenger side, I do hear the fan when I turn off the engine when it is hot.  I cannot figure out where the aux cooler is, providing there is one.  

That is the OEM oil cooler - that is on the dog house cooling shroud.  It would be covered with added metal (a dog shouse) so not visible when installed.  If you have an electric fan its blowing on an auxiliary oil cooler.

Your's is a VS?  They like to stick the actual cooler and fan above the transaxle just forward of the engine.  A better place for air flow is in the wheel well protected by screen (to prevent stick and stones hitting it).  Since you found oil filter those same oil lines will go to the cooler.  Safely jack it up (or better put on a car lift) and crawl underneath.  Here's what you are looking for -

Here's what that OEM looks like covered

Thanks Wolfgang!  While the car is in next week having the mystery trans oil leak fixed, perhaps I will ask them to move the oil cooler as long as it is up in the air and the engine is out of the car.  Hard to believe a trans oil seal went with 100 miles of easy driving, but at least Justin at Vintage is going to come get the car and take care of it.  I think this could only happen to me!!

The aux oil cooler is most likely mounted in the void that is between the back seat area and the firewall. There is a gap in there and that is where they put the oil cooler. As Greg said, follow the oil lines from the remote filter to the cooler. I'd find a different place to mount the aux cooler.

Here's a wheel well mounted one -

Here's what you are looking for - ignore the aluminum piece center right side - that would be your oil pump/case connection (gauge optional)

I'd think about adding a thinline oil sump - it adds extra oil to engine for better cooling. Parts are $150. Ensure you get one with the drain plug in the center plate.

WOLFGANG posted:

Here's a wheel well mounted one -

Here's what you are looking for - ignore the aluminum piece center right side - that would be your oil pump/case connection (gauge optional)

Does it make a difference which outlet from the oil cooler is used to receive oil from the engine... is one designated "In" and the other "Out", or is it irrelevant?

Either way works fine, Bob. 

The oil sump is a good addition, it provides more oil. It will take longer to warm the oil up but it also displaces the heat better. If your cooler is mounted on the body above the trans it needs to be relocated. In that position it generates hot air over the trans and thru the firewall holed the engine fan sucks that hot air over the engine to cool it. Doesn't make great sense. The Mesa coolers which are used are ok but the setrab design units are better quality and much more efficient. Mount the cooler in the left rear fender well so it has air flow thru it while driving and that the fan draws air in the same direction. We also use a thermo switch, not a thermostat.  The switches are either 180 or 190 degrees and that turns the fan on or off.

Wolfgang did a nice outline showing a correct system. His steel oil lines are great. Very clean. But keep in mind if you run steel lines you must not use them to and from the motor to oil filter housing and the cooler to the engine if the the filter housing and cooler are mounted on the body. The motor moves and vibrates and the body doesn't which may cause a crack in the steel lines. 

Great advice guys!  Thank you and have a great day!

Great pics, Greg! The only issue is the 2nd pic shows the stock cooler replaced with the in/out bracket for the cooler/filter lines. @CRM- oil for the filter and (then) the cooler should come from the oil pump cover (the pump itself is plugged on the outlet side to feed out the cover) and plumbed back into the case just before the oil pressure sender. 

Oh- I see you've already mentioned that. Never mind... 

@Panhandle Bob- I've always wondered that as well! Apparently it doesn't matter which way the oil flows through. The only thing I've heard (I think someone said it here) is to mount the cooler with the fittings at the top so it will fill up completely and not have any air pockets. If you (for whatever reason) had to mount it with the fittings on the side I think it would be better for oil to enter at the bottom, but I'm only speculating here...Al

ALB:

My VS has the cooler in the same spot, forward of and mounted to, the "firewall". I don't run particularly hot, but I have always thought that, on top of being in an inconvenient spot if anything goes south with it, that the cooler could do a better job in the wheel well.

Perhaps something for the new ownership at VS to consider reviewing for future builds.

I spoke to Justin last month regarding several areas of improvement including the oil cooler. He's got several things on his plate at the moment. I am sure with in time he will get to it. Making a mounting decent mounting bracket is time consuming but once done it would be cost effective to due to shorter hoses

Justin is picking up my car tomorrow to fix the tranny leak, I will ask to have the cooler moved while they have it on the lift.  Good thought.

You are correct, Justin has his plate full, but he is a good businessman and dedicated to quality, things will get much better.