Will there be any difference in a 13 row oil cooler for an MG and a Triumph just the oil cooler not the pipes???
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Posted By : John Davies, 27-Feb-2003,
07:23pm
Adrian,
That's a little bit like asking how long is a piece of string - oil coolers come in all shapes, sizes and number of rows. And which MG did it fit? One
adequate for an MGB would probably be OK for GT6. Consider the thickness and where you will fit it - are the dimsions and connections right for your
car?
John
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Posted By : Adrian Burton, 27-Feb-2003,
09:16pm
The oil cooler is brand new, going on ebay for £28 and it's for an MGB part no. ARA221. It doesn't give any dimensions though! Thought
it was pritty cheap! Thanx for your replies.
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Posted By : Nigel Gibbins,
27-Feb-2003, 09:36pm
The oil cooler (just looked) is not an MGB oil cooler - it is a standard MOCAL 13 row cooler. 28 GBP is a good price but it's just for the
radiator. You will also need to buy a fitting kit for it which will set you back another 60 quid (for the thermostatic one).
Or you could just buy a sandwich plate and the hoses and let the oil constantly circulate.
Anyway, if you're running the right oil you shouldn't need one. Racers use them due to the serious abuse we give our engines. But you should'nt
be doing that on the road. The oil itself 'needs' to reach a certain temp in order for it to 'thin' properly so it can get to all the parts
that need it's attention. So I'd go for the thermostatic one for road use - And don't forget that your engine oil capacity will increase when
you fit one.
NiG
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Posted By : Bill Davies, 27-Feb-2003,
08:21pm
Going off on a slight tangent, is this a secondhand oil cooler you're thinking of fitting? If so, do you know the history of the car it came from? Very
difficult to flush bits of broken engine out of an oil cooler.......
Cheers,
Bill.
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Posted By : Tim Bancroft, 28-Feb-2003,
08:32am
Adrian,
I would recommend the use of an oil cooler kit on your 6. I've been running my Mk2 with one for 13 years averaging 3,000 miles a year of fairly hard
driving including 3 Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Runs with no discernable decrease in oil pressure. Obviously if your engine is worn out the
oil cooler will not remedy lack of oil pressure, but on a good condition engine I'm convinced it will increase engine life.
Think Automotive at Isleworth, Middlesex will be able to supply all parts needed. Also fit a oil pressure gauge (My gauge is out of an old Mini 850)and
use good quality oil. As for the mounting of the rad, I used to have mine fitted in front engine coolant rad, but have now mounted it on the part of
the chassis that the steering rack bolts onto, just behind the front anti-roll bar. It's a tight fit, also make up a wire mesh grill to protect the rad
from road debris. I've used rubber oil cooler hoses with extra bits of rubber cable tied on where the hoses might rub against chassis or engine parts.
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Posted By : Dom Weaver, 28-Feb-2003,
09:22am
Slightly off subject, but you say use a "good quality" oil....I have been told that 20/50 is 20/50 at the end of the day and there isn't really
much difference between the brand names and the cheap stuff.
I dare say there are differences (i used to use Valvoline in my Mini), however, unless i travel great distances or order the stuff by post i can't
find 'decent' oil anywhere. I only live in East Berks, surely someone supplies the stuff locally?
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Posted By : Scott Marshall,
28-Feb-2003, 10:49am
Cant give a definative answer on that but back in my teens I put some cheap oil in my car during an oil change - it siezed within a week
possibly due to a long hard thrash down the motorway but I have never used cheap stuff again , only well known makes
scotty
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Posted By : Nigel Gibbins,
28-Feb-2003, 01:34pm
There's 20/50 and there's 20/50 - an that's a cheap one!
The Penrite, Castrol etc (named) oils are generally to good stuff and should cost about £15 for 5litres. However, your local
motorfactors, halfords, etc may sell 20/50 for £5 for 5 litres and this is the cheap stuff.
The difference is (apart from price) the real stuff is new - 'straight from the refinery stuff'. The other is reclaimed or used engine oil
that has been recondition, it has already been through an engine once before. Wouldn't touch that stuf with someone else barge pole.
NiG
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Posted By : Dom Weaver,
28-Feb-2003, 07:13pm
You-are-kidding!
So its the equivalent of a deep fat fryer to humans!! Decent stuff it is then. Thanks guys.
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Posted By : Bill Davies,
28-Feb-2003, 09:33pm
While I fully agree that the ultra cheap recycled oil is a bad idea, don't rule out Duckhams 'Q' and similarly low priced 20w50 oils
from reputable manufacturers.
I've used 'Q' almost exclusively in my Triumphs over the past 13 years without ever losing and engine. One of my 1147cc units lasted to
129,000 miles (30,000 plus in my ownership) before finally suucumbing to bore wear. Regular 3000 mile oil and filter changes are far
more important than the initial cost of the oil.
Cheers,
Bill.
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Posted By : Tim Bancroft,
28-Feb-2003, 12:53pm
Dom,
Re: source for good quality oil in East Berkshire. Halfords sell Castrol GTX, try their store on the Bath Road, Slough, or they must have a
store in Reading. I try to use local Motor Factors who can always get hold of quality oil, if they don't have it in stock. Canley Classics
recommend the use of Mobil One in our engines, I'm not so sure as it is very thin and will surely leak owing to the larger tolerances that
exist in older engines. I have always used GTX, Duckhams, Penrite or Millers-no problems.
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Posted By : Colin Lindsay,
02-Mar-2003, 12:19pm
If you're fitting an oil cooler from scratch ie. not a kit try wire reinforced hydraulic pipes; available from your local autoparts store (at least
they are from mine!!) it costs about £3 per foot; expensive admittedly but never splits or wears through. My Mk1 cost me
£27 in pipes but the peace of mind is worth it. Mind you, it's a devil to fit...
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Posted By : John Davies,
02-Mar-2003, 02:51pm
Or,
if you have a hydraulic specialist near, try them - mine, who usually deal with JCBs, tractors and drilling rigs (!) will custom make the pipes
while you wait, swaging the connections on. And the connections are a tad more durable!
John
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Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 28-Feb-2003,
01:37pm
Hi,
If your thinking about the ones on ebay then they are MOCAL coolers and not specific to any make of car - see the Spitfire thread about this.
NIG
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Posted By : Nigel Gibbins,
28-Feb-2003, 01:38pm
Doh!
I already said that - DOH!
;-P