Blocking Air Flow to Oil Cooler

[Got the Bug]

Does anyone block off the air flow to the oil cooler during the winter months? The SPF cooling system is a little too efficient and without a oil thermostat I thought it might help the engine get up to temp faster on those mornings when it's just North of 40 degrees.

I thought I saw one of the local SPF (Randy or Tom?) owners running something to restrict the air flow, but I wasn't sure if it's something that they run all winter.

[Randy Rosenberg]

I cut a piece of cardboard to fit - I'm not sure how effective it is in blocking the air flow, but I think it works. And, yes, I need an oil thermostat at some point in time...

[Rick Parker]

Clear sheet plastic, gray racer tape. I also think a lot of heat is lost or radiated through the hoses.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

...I also think a lot of heat is lost or radiated through the hoses.

I agree. Also I think heat is lost by the air that swirls behind the oil cooler.

[Calbullet]

I fitted a cover on my cooler last year. I actually forgot to take it off last summer, temps never got hot at all. temp stayed about 5 degrees below my water temps.

[bobcowan]

The cooler is really only needed on the track. rpm's heat oil.

On the street, you really do need a thermostat. When the oil is cold, the thermostat will pass about 10% of the oil through the cooler. That allows all of the oil to warm up at the same rate. Otherwise, the valve would open and you'de get a big slug of cold oil. That's a bad thing.

When the oil is hot, it only passes about 90% of the oil through the cooler. That little bit of bypass helps prevent pressure drop.

I use a Russell billit thermostat that opens around 180*. In the winter I cover the cooler with duct tap to block air flow. If it's less than 45-50* and I'm on the highway, I still have a tough time getting the oil much above 140*.

I'm working on a plan to alleviate this problem for good. Stay tuned.

[PANAVIA]

Flat rubber sheet that is cut to fit,1/8th inch thick slides in from grille side ,

blocks most airlfow to oil cooler.

rubber sheet available at OSH.

[coosawjack]

I found out a long time ago that oil coolers are not needed on street cars.

Coosawjack

[RedBarchetta]

Bob is right. I also run an oil thermostat (Canton unit...see my gallery) and on cold mornings my oil temps still take quite a long time to get where they should be. I also use a clear plexiglass block-off plate that is held in place with two strips of velcro on either end. Clean looking and inconspicuous. It helps some.

-Dean #747

[Bob In Ct]

I cut a piece of plexi. You can't even see it. I get the look but not the air flow.

In the summer I use a piece of plexi with a cut out in so as to restrict the air flow in order to maintain oil temp of at leat 180.

Bob

[Archrms]

Dean,

I could not find the pic of the oil thermostat in your gallery. Could you post a link and some additional info (cost, where to buy, etc) as I am interested in purchasing one also.

Ron

[bobcowan]

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

I also use a clear plexiglass block-off plate that is held in place with two strips of velcro on either end. Clean looking and inconspicuous. It helps some.

-Dean #747

That is exactly the way I do it as well.

As a matter of fact,I got the idea from your car when it was owned in Texas.

[BossCER]

Hey guys, check this out: http://beaumontmetalworks.com/index-perf-ap.html

I use this oil cooler bypass and am very happy w/ it. You dial in the amount of oil you want to go through your cooler (from 0 to 100%). You basically can decide what temp you would like your oil to be

[Thieleng]

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...=&ppuser=24217
If you look just to the front of the engine, (black cylinder in between the radiator and the engine, 4 braided lines) you will see the oil thermostat used on my SPF, Stephen Bramlitt put it in for me, in the Reno area I had a hard time getting the oil even to operating temperature in the car. If you need some help on this here is his contact information:
Stephen Bramlitt
FULL THROTTLE PERFORMANCE
9728 S. Virginia St. Ste. B
Reno, NV 89511
(775) 852-0800
(775) 852-0815
stephen@fullthrottlereno.com

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by 392cobra

As a matter of fact,I got the idea from your car when it was owned in Texas.

But David is a detailer's detailer. There is no way he could have made that himself.

[rob frink]

.............

[scootter]

I didn't think you need one for a small block!!

Sorry, couldn't resist. Mines not hooked up. I have never had an oil heating problem.

Scott

[richardferguson]

[392cobra]

Richard,
That is one of the simplest,easiest and best idea I've seen in awhile.

Does it swing back and cause any problems with your paint ?