Engine oil cooler

7173Mustangs.com

Help Support 7173Mustangs.com:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
May 19, 2021
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
934
Location
Fort Mohave, AZ & So Cal (Upland)
My Car
73 Grande will undergo three phase build process. Phase 1 is complete (driver). Phase 2 is interior/exterior restoration. Phase 3 is ++ performance.
Anyone ever see someone use the built-in radiator cooler for an engine oil cooler? I have a new aluminum radiator and am not using the built in cooler. Any ideas? At this point, this is more of a thought experiment than a plan of action. Thanks for the thoughts and ideas. Steve
 
I don't know how much pressure the transmission oil cooler can handle. The only way you would be able to plumb it for cooling engine oil would be straight out of the oil pump, so would need to handle at least 80 psi.
 
I wonder how you find out? I went to the Radiator Mfg website and there wasn’t any posted info on the pressure specs of the internal cooler. There was burst pressure data on the radiator itself. Maybe someone will inform us of that data?
 
I always understood the trans coolant lines were under much lower pressure than engine oil. Have seen quick and dirty type installs where rubber fuel hose was used to couple a cooler to the metal lines. Personally, I would never try using one for engine oil. I would imagine it's been tried and some will swear by it. Engine oil pressure provides critical functions where trans oil is a notch or two down on criticality...you lose trans fluid and you stop moving, you lose oil pressure, you wipe bearings.
 
The other issue with using the transmission oil cooler is volume. Oil coolers use much larger lines, at least 1/2" I.D. instead of the smaller 5/16" O.D. transmission oil cooler lines.
I always understood the trans coolant lines were under much lower pressure than engine oil. Have seen quick and dirty type installs where rubber fuel hose was used to couple a cooler to the metal lines. Personally, I would never try using one for engine oil. I would imagine it's been tried and some will swear by it. Engine oil pressure provides critical functions where trans oil is a notch or two down on criticality...you lose trans fluid and you stop moving, you lose oil pressure, you wipe bearings.
You are correct, the transmission cooler line are very low pressure, and just drain back into the pan, the only pressure is the flow resistance in the lines.
 
Last edited:
Most oil coolers use adapters on the oil filter flange for supply and return so the plumbing part is easy. As mentioned above about pressure, most trans run between 15 to 25 psi. Even if the cooler on the radiator could handle the oil pressure, I would not do it. Too much at stake to risk. It's a simple answer when thinking about it - engine oil cooler kit vs possible engine rebuild.
 
What I find interesting about cooling powertrain oils, is that newer cars cool everything. My MZB uses the ”water” cooling system to cool the transmission, engine oil, and stuff I don’t know about. And they bring the water to the powertrain components, not the oils to the cooling element put, with small water to oil exchangers. It’s an interesting concept.

Yea, the pressure restriction created by the inlet and outlet diameters creates the biggest concerns. The MFG of the radiator had no concerns with this concept, said could hold 100 psi (so likely more). I already have a PS cooler. So, maybe use it for a windshield wiper pump preheater? Warm water does clean better 🤪.
 
I don't know how much pressure the transmission oil cooler can handle. The only way you would be able to plumb it for cooling engine oil would be straight out of the oil pump, so would need to handle at least 80 psi.
I think Price Motorsports sells a front to back oil line that you could likely tap into a cooler. The point is to ensure the back bearing gets the same pressure as the front.
 
Back
Top