Oil Cooler. Are they necessary?

[YerDugliness]

Guys, they ultimate solution appears to be to run the cooler with a thermostat. That way you can make sure your oil is up to operating temperature at all times, as the thermostat won't direct the oil flow to the cooler unless it is, and still have the benefit of the increased cooling provided by the oil cooler when it would be beneficial. I can assure you that I have seen coolant temperatures that are higher than I like to see during slow stop-and-go driving in the summer heat down here in the Houston, TX area and I think an oil cooler would have helped to some degree (but, as there's no fan to force air through the oil cooler, does it provide much in the way of cooling in all that stop-and-go driving?).

Necessary? Probably not in all except the most extreme environments, or usage, but beneficial? Probably somewhat at least and most likely more helpful once under way and getting some airflow through it.

Good to know that high oil temps can be OK....whereas high coolant temps cannot. Thanks for that bit of info!

Cheers!

Doug

[fordracing65]

The faster the oil comes to operating temp the better, a cooler with a thermostat probably is best, otherwise for street strip no need...

[Large Arbor]

Seems to be some room for debate here to me. For example, a cooler may be necessary if engine temps run higher and you are in a hot climate. I still think that climate, oil type, operating temp, and how you drive the vehicle all come into play. I am not saying I disagree with what others have said regarding not using one and a thermostatically controlled one is better, but all the above comes into play.

Phil

[Dons427]

Here is my take on the topic:
Unless you have a very radical engine, and or live in a hot part of the country, I think the answer is no. Mostly they are for the purpose of authenticity.
In fact; I have heard that if you do not need it, but have a functioning one, the oil may stay so cool that the moisture will not burn out of the oil, and you could have gunky, white "mayo" in your engine.
I have an oil cooler, and I have made a clear polycarbonate cover to block the air from passing through it. My oil temperature is now at least the same as the coolant temp.
It was cooler before!
My issue with the white gunk was due to the intake manifold being installed to far back, exposing the coolant port to the oil system.
but: I still keep the oil cooler blocked off.
I hope this helps.

Don C.

[RET_COP]

Cbreeze, not funny, it's necessary in racing otherwise you would not want your oil flowing through lines and a cooler. As far as bearings, no kidding. Ok from experience, i bypassed mine and picked up a few pounda of oil pressure and my temps came up equal to my coolant temps, with the cooler i couldn't get the oil temp high enough. How important is that. Cool oil equals resistance.

[twobjshelbys]

OK, read a lot of this but the answer is:

Not Usually

The oil cooler on mine brought the oil temp below water temp most of the time. When I was on highway at high speed and RPMs things looked correct. Normal street driving, not so. My next step had I kept it was to get a thermostat bypass.

My observation for the front end of Cobras is that the radiator and oil cooler are way over specified for a street car. For a track car, yes, but not for daily use.