I need to get rid of my oil cooler since the coolant hoses down by the filter are melting from the headers. Is it hard to bypass it? Also, does the oil cooler really help that much?

Thanks

 

I seem to remember that Chevy made a set of metal lines for the Oil Fliter. I'll see if I can find the article.


Bill

 

hmm the lines are metal except for 3" or so where it joins the cooler.

 

I guess I"ll look at it tomorrow, if I remember right, the two metal lines connect near the harmonic balancer. Maybe I can cut them and splice it together there.

 

Okay,
I found what I was looking for. I've got an article copied out of "Car Craft January 1995. " In comparing this type and the radiator-style cooler, It states that the engine coolant thermostat ultimately controls the coolant circulation rate, this both promotes faster oil warm-up to proper operating temperatures and reduces oil temperature 20 - 30 degrees under sever operating conditions--- making the unit equally effective in both Alaska and Death Valley. It does use rubber hoses to connect to the metal lines. This installation was using a corvette style configuration. First, disconnect the lines and install a coolant plug or drain in the side of the block where the nipple was. Second, remove the filter and using a 1 & 1/16" socket, unbolt the adapter where the oil filter screws-on. After the cooler is removed I would suspect that you'll find a stock oil filter adapter which you'll inturn install your new oil filter.

If instead you want the part numbers for replacement hoses, here they are:

Hose, block outlet to coolant inlet ------ 14084013
Hose, Coller outlet to pipe inlet --------- 14084012


Bill

PS. I read the "rest of the article" and it states that the camaros use a crimped on return hose and tube assembly. Also note that the coolant pathe is different. The Camaro uses the heater core and the radiator, the vett uses the block and the water pump.
I've got a list of all the part numbers for the vett set-up if needed.

 

When I did my 383 swap with headers this month on my 91 Formula, we had the same clearance problem with the oil filter oil cooler hoses. We just traced the two lines back to the passenger side radiator area, pulled the old pipes out, and connected the two hoses feeding the old pipes together. Works fine!!!!

At that point we were also able to remove the oil cooler sandwiched between the filter mount and the block, which allowed us to use the larger, more effective (at least in my opinion) oil filters (like the AC-Delco 1218 that replaced the old stand-by SBC filter)

Hope this isn't too late to help you out. Have a Great Day!!!


- Vern

 

hehe not if its obsorbing heat from your headers