Oil cooler replacement question

[Rodd]

I need to replace my oil cooler. I know someone who replaced theirs w/ the one from lube specialists. He said that the cooler looked exactly like the stock one with the adapter fittings screwed in. I saw the saw the same brass adapter fittings at Ace Hardware. I was thinking of getting the fittings and stainless braided lines and then cleaning and reusing the cooler. Will it work?

 

[Rodd]

someone has to have an opinion.

 

[packratt]

If I recall correctly the stock cooler does not have standard fittings. I think it has an o-ring or something. If there isn't a thread on hear search over on DP. I know it was discussed there numerous times.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

I know the stock cooler on my 95 uses a threaded fitting with an O-ring inside of the cooler over the tube. It is the same style cooler that B&M sells as there super cooler line of coolers.

 

[Primer]

I don't remember how I did it offhand(can't picture the oil cooler lines right now) but I just had some hydraulic lines made for my 6.2L. I think it uses an NPT fitting, though I can't remember at this moment!

The good thing was it only cost me $20.00.

 

[MBBOB]

The stock cooler uses straight threads with an o-ring seal. I bought a B&M with 1/2 inch pipe, 10 ft SS braided line, -8N fittings ( 2-45* and 2-90*) for about $170 from Summit Racing, did the trick and the cooler bolts using the same mounting holes.

 

[Rodd]

Thanks guy's. I know where I can get the 90* & 45* fittings. I found them at Ace. All my questions have been answered. Basically I can reuse my old cooler if it is in good shape. It is only leaking at the fittings by the oil filter.

Only one other question for mbbob. You got the braided line from SS diesel? Did they have the fittings or did you have to put on the fittings?

Thanks!

 

[Primer]

Oh right. I replaced the cooler with one about 5 times larger. It happened to have NPT fittings as well, which made the swap easy.

 

[Acesneights1]

By the time you purchase the fittings and the lines it's almost as much as the kit I bought from Lube Specialist. The reason they give you a new cooler is the old factory ones(and not always mind you) are prone to strip during dissasembly. Not to mention starting with a fresh new oil cooler never hurtss. I noticed a 2-3 PSI inrease in Oil Pressure when hot. The whole kit form them was about 250 and he gives you every possible fitting you could need as there are 2 different styles. Bear in mind with his kit or homemade one you will have to do alot of securing and rerouting as the factory lines are bent to go aorund alot of things.

PS: Don't install the cooler backwards, it's easier to do than you think.

 

[Pillow]

x2 Aces comments.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

The reason they give you a new cooler is the old factory ones(and not always mind you) are prone to strip during dissasembly.

He aint kidding either. I replaced my lines on a FRIDAY afternoon at about 4 and the threads in the cooler came out with the threads on the line. Ended up finding one at 5 about 20 minutes up the road. $268 later I had my cooler and was able to put it back together to leave on a trip by 7. GM is PROUD of these things considering what you can buy an aftermarket one for.

 

[MBBOB]

The SS (stainless steel braided line) came from Summit Racing also.

 

[mfgguru]

Has anyone mounted their coolers in a different location and set up an electric fan? Say under the bed? I was thinking it would be nice to relocate both coolers and put an intercooler up front. I bought the summit kit and would it be real easy to relocate now. Any thoughts on that idea?

 

[Acesneights1]

Has anyone mounted their coolers in a different location and set up an electric fan? Say under the bed? I was thinking it would be nice to relocate both coolers and put an intercooler up front. I bought the summit kit and would it be real easy to relocate now. Any thoughts on that idea?

I have long thought of doing that with the condensor. It would open alot of air to the rad.