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Oil Cooler Mount

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For those of you who have considered adding an oil cooler radiator to your TR6, the recommended location by Triumph is atop the skid plate and directly in front of the radiator. The only problem with this technique is the oil cooler is made of thin aluminum and simply bolting it into the ready-made holes will result in a very flimsy setup at best. I have actually seen one of these vibrate enough to cause the cooler to crack and extract all the contents of your sump on the roadway. Great way to burn up an engine. I found these top and bottom brackets in a set from Earl's on the web, included with rubber cushions inside. I had to enlarge the holes for the hoses a little. The good part is I bolted the whole apparatus through and through with stainless steel allthread and locked everything together with stainless nyloc nuts and washers. Trust me, the thing simply does not budge!
oilcooler.jpg

Bill
 
I've had my Mocal 16-row oil radiator mounted there for over 3 years now with zero fatigue problems. It's a rock solid mount. I think the rad housing on mine is steel, not aluminum as you say yours is. Nice stiffening mod nonetheless.
 
Bill - the picture for this isn't showing up. Do you still have it? I want to steal your idea and give it to my mechanic.

Thanks in advance, Alan
 
I've been running my 13 row in the standard location for eight years. it's still as solid as the day it was mounted. And that is after multiple track days and many miles. Not to discount your idea Bill, any improvements can't be bad. It's just the first I have ever heard about that particular problem.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Here it is. I saved a copy.
 

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Larry, did you see that Peter saved a copy in his "attachments" above his posting? Funny this should come up. My oldest son was en route from Oregon to Phoenix for a teaching position at the University there (he is a poor tree hugger, god bless him) when he called me last night from a Goldfield, NV payphone. (no cell reception) He had lost all his oil from his oil cooler in his S10 pickup. Thank goodness he was near civilization where he could get enough stuff for an emergency repair (the engine was making a terrible noise, about one minute from total annihilation). Six quarts later he made it to Las Vegas. I taught him growing up to be self sufficient and how to think through most emergencies, my other sons would still be in the desert. He commented that there were a lot of bordelos on that stretch of highway. The oil cooler leak also happened to my friend Joe's TR6 as he pulled in his driveway, dropped all his oil. That is what prompted me to strengthen my setup, make sure you use stainless all-thread, a lot of moisture passes this thing up. The bracket I found on the web at Earl's.

Bill
 
Re: Here's a picture of the earls kit pieces

Has anyone added coolers to any of the other models ie 4a's
If so, what benifits have you realized
 
Re: Here's a picture of the earls kit pieces

That's the one! I had to trim the bottom lip off the lower backet so that it would sit flush on the skid plate. Too, the oil cooler I used required that I open up the large holes for the hoses. All this not a problem. I went with stainless allthread for two reasons: my cooler was a little taller than the standard and I wanted no rust, ever. Also, I double-screwed both sides of the brackets with lock washers and nuts so that the allthread was FIRMLY attached to the brackets and there is zero vibration. Very, very stable....

Bill
 
Re: Here's a picture of the earls kit pieces

Thanks, Simon !
Just to "adjust" this topic a bit....
What are everyone's thoughts on the magnetic tipped oil drain plugs that supposedly drag the worn metals onto themselves for later removal?
I do know, through clients that I have, that these are used in helicoter engines.
 
Re: Here's a picture of the earls kit pieces

mag drain plug. better to have those little metal bits stuck to the magnet than flying around in your engine. good indicator at oil change that things are ok or very, very, wrong.
rob
 
Re: Here's a picture of the earls kit pieces

[ QUOTE ]
I do know, through clients that I have, that these are used in helicoter engines.

[/ QUOTE ]

If I remember well the ones on helicopers are a bit more complex then a simple magnet. They have a 'chip detecter' built into them and if the magnet captures a piece of matal the chip detector notices and the pilot get a 'chip warning'. These are in the engine, the main gear box and the tail rotor gear box. I learned this (the scarry way) one day after the pilot that was flying me from a survey landed in a farmer's field for what I thought was no reason. I got the full explanation once on the ground.
 
I guess my question would be is the oil cooler really beneficial? I only drive my TR6 once in a while. I do drive it on hot days but not for really long periods. Would an oil Cooler really help me? Also if it would what size would be recommended? Thanks
 
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