running without oil thermostat
 

In my 39 Studebaker project we are running into fitment issues with the 617 and the stude body. I have a remote oil filter kit but don't see how it can be used with an oil thermostat. Will running with the cooler in the loop all the time cause problems with the oil being too cool?

The car will most likely not be driven much in the winter.

Tom here is a Google image of some after market Oil Thermostats.

oil thermostat - Google Search

The oil can run too cool in the winter or cooler days, would be like removing the Coolant thermostat.

Charlie

Cool! Thanks Charlie! Whoda thunk there were multiple choices for aftermarket setups!

Without an oil thermometer it will be difficult to tell. Oil only starts to lubricate completely from 60 degrees C (140F).

Quite a few thoughs surfaced. I wondered if the oil filter housing could be reduced in size and using an external oil filter. Or if continuous loop was employed use a check valve so that it could not drain back causing an initial lubrication delay. Another thought was remoting the whole filter assembly.

The oil cooler to me was never all that impressive as I felt more heat was probably dissipated through the large oil pan with the airflow along it. I guess an open loop could be tried and as long as the oil pressure gauge sagged somewhat at hot idle the viscosity would not be remaining too high. Or oil temperature too low.

With the turbo I would not consider elimination of the oil cooler though. The front end design of the stude may or may not enable the same amount of airflow as the 123 front end. I almost said Hudson again but it was too early in the day to rile you up. Even if the Hudson is of good quality in that body style as well.

You could fit an oil - coolant heat exchanger. That would help the oil warm up more quickly too.

-J

Any reason you can't make up 2 plates and relocate the stock filter housing?

Yes, or kits are available. I have just ordered a special oil pan which I believe will allow us to move the motor forward, perhaps enough to use the sock filter housing (with its t stat).

Thanks for all the thoughts guys!

Yeah, Barry, watchit with the Hudson remarks! The Hudson pickup is indeed similar but the lines are not so elegant as this Studebaker. the Hudson uses a cut off four door body and the study uses this dedicated coupe looking cab which is most lovely.;)

Of course you are right Tom. Still both look the same in the dark.:D I do like the Hudson still but leading a sheltered life have never seen that studabaker model in person to compare. Although the lines are better. Sounds like the different oil pan may solve some of the dilemma.

Does using Multiviscosity Oil change the above?

The original Oil Cooler Hoses and Fittings have about 1/2" inside diameter.

See pic

The oil cooler only comes into action if the oil temperature reaches 110ºC (230F), so it is more a safety device. Maybe those with oil thermometers can chime in whether oil regularly reaches 110ºC.

A low rent way is to use a pressure relief between the cooler inlet and outlet to prevent the cooler from being over pressured when the oil is cold.

A much better way is to use the stock thermostat in a remote location.

The first time I ever drove a car with an oil temperature gauge I was surprised how long it took to get to operating temperature.

Maybe this is one of the reasons the Oil Temp is so High:" I will say this average oil temperature is 212°F, the boiling point of water" From Bob the Oil Guys site.

This implies that if the Oil is kept cooler it is possible for Water To build up in the Oil.

Motor Oil 101 - Bob is the Oil Guy

The smog test for diesels in Europe consists of running the engine at maximum speed unloaded (that is about 5000 rpm) for a couple of seconds and to measure the opacity of the exhaust gas. This test may only be done by law if the oil temperature is above 60 degrees C, because at that temperature the dopes in the oil are active. The viscosity of the oil doesn't change that.

The current plan is to use a custom oil pan and notch the crossmember for clearance and use the stock oil filter housing so this question will likely no longer be an issue.


Thanks to all for their good thinking and comments. It has been illuminating!.)

ive currently got no oil thermostat plumbed in on my van, and the biggest thing I notice is the whole engine seems to run a little cooler, more around 160-170F, where formerly it ran 180-190 typically. Its hard to specifically place this on the oil system, as the radiator is slightly larger, but it could have an impact.

I figured it was ok as without the stock oil filter im missing a large volume sump of oil, the volume of which exceeds my aftermarket cooler and lines, so I didn't think it would run over cool. I don't have an oil temp gauge yet though

I did buy an external oil thermostat that has JIC fittings on it, so it would be pretty easy to sort of make the stock arrangement all aftermarket parts and spaghetti if you absolutely need to

What is this?

I read to the 4th page that bob the Oil guys thread. He goes along somewhat with the Euro test. He has that the Oil is designed to lube the best when the Engine is Hot; or at least that is what I got from what He said.
He said you need Oil Flow to lubricate and that thick Oil does not flow as well so it does not lubricate as well.

I was trying to contrast that with the older USA made Cars in the 1960s where People out here in Southern CA often used 30 wt Oil or a minimum 20wt with Engines that had max Coolant temps of 180.
Of course no Engine Oil Cooler.
But, then I also remembered that the clearances on the Rod and Main Bearings was larger then it is now. I am guessing that would allow thicker Oil to Flow as it is supposed to.

Since I have been a Member of this forum I have learned a lot about Filters, Oil and lubrication.
Gone are the days when I just buy whatever Oil Filter and Oil is on Sale like I used to.

After reading the Oil Guy's comments on Synthetic Oil after I use up My Dino Oil I might Switch to Synthetic Oil.