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Re: Oil coolers, etc.

To: gpetrola@prairienet.org, british-cars@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Oil coolers, etc.
From: "TeriAnn Wakeman" <twakeman@apple.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 95 09:39:01 -0800
In message <9501121413.AA24643@firefly.prairienet.org> Gregory Petrolati writes:
> 
> 
>       Gentle S.O.L.s,
> 
>       I am planning to install an oil cooler in my TR4 as part of
>       the engine rebuild I'm doing this winter. From what I've seen
>       the traditional location for the cooler is behind the front
>       valance which has a hole cut in it to allow for the air flow.

The oil cooler on my TR3 (yes its back on along with the front valence :*)
Is located in essentually the same location as the stock oil cooler on a MGB.  
Just behind the front grill on the apron, as far out of the way of the radiator 
as possible.  Mine sits just behind the grill near the left edge of the opening.
Since no one fabricates metal TR3A front valences, I'm not about to cut mine up 
(well I made a small cut just behind the stay for the hand crank for electric 
fan clearence, but I have the cut out section packed away for possible future 
reattachment).

Placing it in front of the radiator ruins the air flow behind it keeping the 
radiator from working as well as it could.

Normally there is no way to drain the oil in the tubes & cooler when you change 
the oil.

Try not to use the Moss kit if you can help it.  It is poorly made and the studs
that come with it are soft steel and can easily break off while you tighten them
down.

I had the Moss kit on my 3 at one time.  I had to do some filing because some of
the internal passages were almost closed. I twisted off one of the adaptor studs
with a short hand wrench.  Luckally it was the only one I could get at with an 
EZ out without ether removing the engine or cutting the inner wing.  I had a set
of studs machined out of hard steel.  I don't know about the TR4 front engine 
plate that the engine mounts attach to, but on the TR3, the openings for the oil
hoses aim right at the front engine plate.  I had to put two right angle 
adaptors on it to get the hoses to fit.  The cooler Moss supplies is equivalent 
to the stock MGB oil cooler.

The Engine Room in Santa Cruz Ca.(408-429-1800), has developed an adaptor for 
the racing Morgans that is far better than what Moss sells.  And of course it 
fits the TR2->4A.  The only drawback is that it is thicker than Mosses.  On a 
TR3, you need to lift the engine about 6 inches to get clearence for the oil 
filter adapter to fit over the studs when mounting.  I think the TR4 has more 
internal clearence but I'm not sure (It would be a good chance to renew old 
front engine mounts).

You can purchase a used oil cooler from a wrecking yard that has an MGB, and 
have hoses made up the correct length in a hose shop.





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