Oil Cooler. Are they necessary?

[Late Apex]

Are oil coolers really necessary for street use as an option for a 427 Backdraft? For those owners that have one installed, how do you like it and are you seeing any differences or improvements after the install? Any leaks or other problems with your cooler? Thanks

[itstock]

Are oil coolers really necessary for street use as an option for a 427 Backdraft?

NO. As an owner without an oil cooler, and I drive my car pretty damn hard on the street most so in the middle of summer (not quite as hot as Texas, but we are still talking mid 90's), I very rarely get the oil to even the correct operating temp, let alone to the point where I need an oil cooler.

[rodneym]

Late Apex,
I'd ask Keith but with a 585HP engine in TX, I'd say it's worth connecting it.

[lippy]

You probably don't need it. I installed one for looks but capped the lines. I've idled in 90 degree weather and my oil still runs cool. You need to make sure you run the oil hot enough and I think mine would run too cool with the cooler connected.

[LG57]

I have an ERA with stroked 427. It has the oil cooler and it takes a loong time to get up to 140-160. So, do you need a cooler on the street? Probably not.

[Large Arbor]

I tend to think there are several factors which influence the need which are:

1) how you drive on the street
2) type of engine
3) climate
4) how often in heavy traffic
5) the size of cooling fan for the radiator

I was out in my FE 427 and it took a good part of cruising all day in Ohio and it was mid 80's. I have an aluminum block and things top out around 190.
In my opinion its a nice option that looks period correct, helps keep things cooler on 90+ degree days if you are stuck in traffic. All these things come into play. However after having one, I like it. For me its a secondary check for the engine temp gauge.

Phil

[Grey 65]

No, you do NOT need it unless you plan on sitting in traffic jams with the car...I live in Fort Worth, drive my car all the time autocross the hell out of it and generally run it very hard... Don't need that, you can put one on and not connect it for the looks, people do do that....

Kevin...

[jwoodard]

You can have the best of both worlds by installing an oil cooler thermostat. Canton makes a nice one and it helps keep your oil temperature in the right operating range. Here's a photo of one I installed in my Superformance.

[Ron61]

I use them on my cars as we have 110/1120 degree heat here in the Summer, but for street driving I don't think you really need them unless you plan to spend a lot of time in traffic. I also ran a thermostat on mine that would bypass the cooler until the oil got up to temperature. Also I raced and drive my cars hard so the thermostat opened pretty quickly. I had a 1964 Galaxie 500-XL with the factory 427 and it never had an oil cooler and never did overheat. The same for the 427 Tunnel Port that I had to get rid of because it was just to radical for street driving.

Ron

[RET_COP]

On the street, No. it just adds to flow resistance. I bypassed mine.

[cbreez]

Originally Posted by Late Apex

Are oil coolers really necessary for street use as an option for a 427 Backdraft? For those owners that have one installed, how do you like it and are you seeing any differences or improvements after the install? Any leaks or other problems with your cooler? Thanks

427 or 289...have you even determined what your oil temperature is running at before you worry about installing a cooler?

Installing a "dummy" for looks???

Increased flow resistance??? I guess all of those race cars are doing something wrong???

Just so you know, you won't see or feel any improvements unless you have a temp gauge...I guess mostly you may sleep better at night.

[lnfletcher]

I usually get overheated before my oil does!

[cbreez]

Originally Posted by RET_COP

On the street, No. it just adds to flow resistance. I bypassed mine.

Just sounds kinda funny to me, I guess that "flow resistance" is ok for racing though...right?

If you look at the size of crank oil holes and bearing clearances, you might rethink the whole resistance thing.

[Late Apex]

Thanks guys and most of these replies are very helpful especially the idea of a cooler but also with a thermostat. The detailed photo above is really nice. My new ride does have the larger radiator and the oil temp is normal except in traffic where it inches up some but drops quickly when rolling again. The temps here in the Houston area are very hot this time of year. Im just wanting to make sure the new Kraft engine stays healthy.

[xb-60]

There's always this:

Beaumont Cooler Bypass Valve and Block Adapter

It's an adaptor for a remote oil filter and it also incorporates a manually controlled multi-position valve for controlling the flow to the oil cooler. It enables anything from no flow to the oil cooler in winter to full flow in summer, and anything in between. Nicely made too.

Cheers,
Glen

[philminotti]

I have the Beaumont bypass valve. It can be seen just to the left of the expansion tank. Like many, I believe street driven cobras generally don't need oil coolers. But, I couldn't stand the thought of a "dummy" cooler install. Currently I'm fully bypassing the cooler. My oil temp follows my engine temp very closely, and with my engine temp generally between 180 and 210, I'm good.

The bypass valve looks good but it was a serious PITA to install. Lots of fittings and bends.

[rodneym]

Looks good Phil.
And love those VC's!

[LMH]

If you install an oil cooler, make sure you use a thermostat. Oil that doesn't reach operating temp can be harsh on bearings and cylinders when other components are at temp. We used to use Mocal thermostats on VW/Porsches way back when and always worked well.
Larry

[fordracing65]

How much does outside temp effect oil temp, and how much does rpm effect oil temp, I live in AZ, its very hot here is the summer, in the winter an oil cooler can never be good if outside temp matters...especially you guys in the Tundra states...

[Late Apex]

I called Keith Kraft engines since they made my motor to get their opinion.He said an oil cooler on their engine is really not necessary unless tracking the car a lot. He also explained that the oil temp showing on my car is normal and even higher temps can be acceptable.