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I am gathering that an oil cooler is a very good thing
to add to my Midget. It does run fairly hot, that is
when it runs at all. ;>
I've seen the kits in magazines like victoria british
and such.
What is involved in fitting this? I assume basically it's
a hose in and a house out, and bolt it in a good place. But
where do the hoses attach? (Yes, stupid question)
As well, my local automotive superstore sells oil
cooler kits for much less than the specialty stores. Can
I use one of these instead? Or at least, can I use the
cooler and get the correct hoses?
The oil cooler fits using the attachment were the oil filter
screws onto the block. An adaptor plate screws on before the
oil filter and then you screw the oil filter onto the block.
Thanks to Bob in Manchester I am now the owner of a Mocal
thermostat controlled oil cooler kit with 13 element cooler
unit so I am looking forward to high pressure regions this
weekend both in the weather and in the engine!
If you read this Bob, (I am sure you will, you seem to reply
within minutes to anyone in trouble) should the cooler unit
be mounted as high or as low as possible? does it self drain
on switch off? does it drain when the filter is changed? Where
would you fit it on a rubber bumper 1500?
From my best research...
The midget 1500 oil cooler fits on an adapter that
mounts at the screw in oil filter. As for the placement
of the oil cooler unit itself, I guess that's totally
up to you since it doesn't factory with one.
I'm looking to install one of these units ASAP in
my 1500cc midget, so if anybody knows any more details
get in touch.
I am mostly trying to figure out how I can get
the adapter somehow and then substitute generic
auto parts supply house coolers and hoses which are
half the price of vicky brits and probably the same.
Well I went and fitted the cooler over the weekend, It has made a
difference of around 10 lb/ins2 at 3000 revs once everything
is hot. The stainless pipes were a bit bulky but it all fitted in
ok. I mounted the 13 element cooler at the bottom of the water
radiator on what I think is the splash plate using two existing
screws at one end. The engine still has quite a rough growling
sound when it is hot at over 3000 revs I was hoping the cooler oil might
quieten it. anyone got any ideas what it might be? There are
87,000 miles on the clock.
I suggest you drop the sump and have a look at your bearings. The big-ends
are the likely source of the noise. If the shells are worn, but the crank
OK, you can replace these easily. That might fix it. Have a look also at
the centre main; this will give a clue also to the condition of end two
mains.
On a similar subject - under the heading 'Fit a new gauge and find a new
problem ...'
A while back I fitted an oil temp gauge to my 1275. Going up the M5/M42
to Donnington on Sunday, I was 'achieving' an oil temp of 115-118C. I'm
sure I could have made this higher, at speeds of over 75mph ... moral here
is : if you don't want to worry about something, don't fit a gauge.
I would suggest that you also consider replacing the oil pump (see my 7/96 posting), oil pressure relief valve and spring along with the big end bearings. As an extreme measure, you may consider "shimming" the relief spring with small washers to increase the load on the spring. I did not try this, but it was suggested to me by someone who supposedly did. Prior to doing any of this, I would try to determine the condition of the thrust washers by measuring the fore/aft play of the crankshaft. If this is excesive, a rebuild is probably in order. I am just completing this "band aid" fix to get me through this season.