Jim_Gruber
Yoda
Offline
K I finally had the chance to run Bugsy very hard yesterday at High revs for a long period of time. I recently replaced my 40 y.o. oil cooler with a brand new 13 row unit. I wanted to test my theory that a 40 y.o. oil cooler really doesn't do any good anymore. Things are so clogged up and full of debris that it really doesn't work.
Bugsy is a 1098 with Smoothcase installed in a '68 Sprite. No problems with temps around town and really no issues with oil pressure. Typically 60 lbs at 4K rpm. In summer with heater valve closed around town, water temps stay below abouy 2/3 of the way up to the N mark.
The issue I discovered was that after running 65-70mph for 10 miles or so. Temps would go from below N to approx 1/2 way between N and Hot. Still within spacs and not overheating but oil pressue would drop from 60-50 lbs. My theory - oil gets hot as a result of extended time at speed, thins out, and result is lower oil pressue. Again still in specs but this has been bothering me. Once I return to lower speeds within a minute or two, radiator temps will drop and oil pressure will go nack up as well. When coming off of expressway, oil pressure would drop to 10 lbs or so at idel and then bounce back up to 20 lbs and I revved the engine to get idle to smooth out. I consider this normal behavior for Bugsy's 1098.
After install of oil cooler, 13 row instead of stock 9 row, after 10-15 minutes of high rpm running in 85 degree temps. Water temps went from 2/3 of way up to N mark to just past the N mark. Oil pressure at 4k rpm stayed around 65 lbs, never went beow 60 lbs.
I think my theory is proven correct. A 40 y.o. oil cooler really doesn't do crap anymore. Temps are now lower, oil pressure highher. Bugsy now feels like an extended cruise at high speeds to the Ozarks just might be possible next year.
On another note - I placed the old oil cooler over the oil pan drain bucket. Oil sort of drip, dripped out. Not a steady stream by any means.
Replace those old oil coolers. A simple job that could save you lots of grief down the road.
Bugsy is a 1098 with Smoothcase installed in a '68 Sprite. No problems with temps around town and really no issues with oil pressure. Typically 60 lbs at 4K rpm. In summer with heater valve closed around town, water temps stay below abouy 2/3 of the way up to the N mark.
The issue I discovered was that after running 65-70mph for 10 miles or so. Temps would go from below N to approx 1/2 way between N and Hot. Still within spacs and not overheating but oil pressue would drop from 60-50 lbs. My theory - oil gets hot as a result of extended time at speed, thins out, and result is lower oil pressue. Again still in specs but this has been bothering me. Once I return to lower speeds within a minute or two, radiator temps will drop and oil pressure will go nack up as well. When coming off of expressway, oil pressure would drop to 10 lbs or so at idel and then bounce back up to 20 lbs and I revved the engine to get idle to smooth out. I consider this normal behavior for Bugsy's 1098.
After install of oil cooler, 13 row instead of stock 9 row, after 10-15 minutes of high rpm running in 85 degree temps. Water temps went from 2/3 of way up to N mark to just past the N mark. Oil pressure at 4k rpm stayed around 65 lbs, never went beow 60 lbs.
I think my theory is proven correct. A 40 y.o. oil cooler really doesn't do crap anymore. Temps are now lower, oil pressure highher. Bugsy now feels like an extended cruise at high speeds to the Ozarks just might be possible next year.
On another note - I placed the old oil cooler over the oil pan drain bucket. Oil sort of drip, dripped out. Not a steady stream by any means.
Replace those old oil coolers. A simple job that could save you lots of grief down the road.