aftermarket oil cooler

[nrthrngreaser]

so my newly acquired 85 300sd has an aftermarked oil cooler. original is gone, and the one in there looks like a hydraulic oil cooler.

to connect it to the oil lines, someone cut the ends off the lines, and then used a piece of 1/4" pipe as a nipple, with 2 hose clamps on each end, connected to hydraulic lines to the cooler I have an oil cooler in another car I can use, but don't have the $170 for a set of hoses right now.

the question is: is there any way I can make sure that the new cooler has the flow necessary for this application? the old engine threw a rod at #5, furthest from the oil pump, and I want to make sure it's not being oil starved.
the two places that worry me are the cooler and the smaller lines used to hook them up.

I can always hook it up as original and make sure the new engine runs good then replace the lines. but I'd much rather do it when the engine's out.

I'm thinking of going to the local john deere dealer and seeing what they can do for me. why not, they're 4 blocks away.

anyone know how to calculate the flow capacity of 2 different coolers?
too bad the lines from my defunct 300d won't fit.

thanks,
karl

[dieseldiehard]

Not to worry about the oil cooler's flow and pressure drop characteristics because oil doesn't flow directly from the cooler into the engine crank, etc.
In fact, the thermostat in the filter housing doesn't open until its HOT, only then does oil flow out thru the cooler lines and into cooler.
If the cooler is approx the same size it ought to do a fair job of removing heat.
I would worry about the lines breaking loose at the clamp or somewhere and allowing oil to leave the sump, then your rods and pistons are going to have a bad experience
Maybe the Deere place has a hydraulic tech that can make up something more suitable, its worth a try!

[Jadavis]

I am on the road now so I cannot tell you the brand name or quote the paperwork, but I have a couple of aftermarket transmission coolers at home. The paperwork with them specifically tell you not to install it as an oil cooler. the passages are too small and will restrict flow too much. They even give you the infomation about the line of oil coolers that they sell. They are all in the same ballpark for prices so I don't see any reason for them to lie. The oil coolers are generally 1/2 inch tubing with fins. The transmission coolers spread the fluid out into a series of a bunch of small passages.

I would replace it with a MB oil cooler or an aftermarket oil cooler of the appropriate size, IMHO.

-Jim

Edit: I misread your original email. I read Hydraulic as Transmission, sorry. What I said above about a tranny cooler still applies so I will leave it all there. As for yours, as long as the fluid passes through large enough tubing it should be fine.

[nrthrngreaser]

went to the deere dealer and he looked at my lines and said "nope"

then I showed him what I wanted to do, and he said, "how bout this?" and gave me a hydraulic hose repair kit. designed for 1500 psi, pic below of old and new setup. hose clamp be-gone.

$13 per kit, not too bad.

karl

[phidauex]

Good call. I'm not too worried about the size of the cooler, it looks pretty big. However, hose clamps are a huge no-no. Would you use a hose clamp to hook your jugular vein to your heart? I sure as heck wouldn't.

That hydraulic hose repair item looks interesting, though, I've never seen something like that. It certainly looks beefy though, so I'd be inclined to trust it, if the money for a 'real' oil cooler and line set isn't available right now.

peace,
sam

[nrthrngreaser]

so those mondo clamps leak on the soft rubber of the oil cooler lines. awesome on the hydraulic lines though.
but it runs!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm going to use some of those high pressure hose clamps for the time being.

new oil lines and the cooler out of my 83 300d to come.

karl