Oil coolers

[navis]

We have an oil cooler already connected to the output on the raw water pump on our 350 merc. I believe it must have been a transmission oil cooler due to the fact that red oil leaked out of it when I took the plugs out. I was wondering if I was to clean it out, that it would be suitable to use as an engine oil cooler. The only issue I could see, I do not surly know though; is pressure. From what I have read online it would seem that engine oil and tranny oil are usually close to the same operating pressures though, so again, would it be fine to use? Is there even much of an advantage to using an engine oil cooler? As well, would it be best to just hook it up in between the engine and oil filter?
Thanks!

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Oil coolers

are you sure thats not your power steering pump?

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil coolers

It sure sounds like a Power steering cooler to me also, and has small hose barbs sticking out. If that discribes it, the the oil ports would be to small for engine oil and would restrict the oil flow to much.
350's have been used by every marine manufacturer for many years, and very few, (if any) of them had oil coolers on them from the factory. About the only engins with oil coolers are big blocks.

 

[navis]

Re: Oil coolers

the fittings that come off of it are threaded, and the same size as the fittings on the oil filter. It isn't a factory cooler, I beleive it was added to cool the transmission oil on a V drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil coolers

the fittings that come off of it are threaded, and the same size as the fittings on the oil filter. It isn't a factory cooler, I beleive it was added to cool the transmission oil on a V drive.

Who knows, only you can see it. Post some pictures.

 

[navis]

Re: Oil coolers

As asked, do not know if this will help too much, but they are the best pictures that I have right now....sorry.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t259/brettkrupa/P1090217.jpg
EDIT click to see picture.

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil coolers

OK, now we are getting things narrowed down. Between the extended risers, engine mounted raw water pump, and angled carb. Is this a straight inboard engine? Got any engine ID, like model or SN's?

 

[navis]

Re: Oil coolers

they are 79 Mercruiser 255MIE's, serial number 4881081. They were in a velvet drive system before, but will now be in a boat with volvo 280's

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil coolers

Yes, the MIE's used oil coolers, will the coolers be needed for a Volvo 280, No.
Can you keep them, Yes, if you want. But they will not be a requirement.
You will also have to change th exhaust system to make it work on the Volvo, and finding a place for the cooler might be a problem. You can stick with the raw water pump, but who knows about YOUR thermostat housing and how it will work with the VP manifolds.
You have some work to do, but it all should work in the end.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Oil coolers

Is there anything wrong with mounting the cooler to the stringer in the boat?

We are already looking into the Exhaust, probably just throw those risers on some center manifolds...

 

[navis]

Re: Oil coolers

YEah, thats sounding about right. Except I was originally wondering if they could be used for engine oil coolers, not for cooling the leg oil, but for cooling the actual engine oil. What do you think?
Thanks again!

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil coolers

There has NEVER been a cooler for the drive oil. My comments in post #9 were strictly about engine oil coolers.

 

[navis]

Re: Oil coolers

Oh, I see what you meant now. Is there a point to using the coolers if they are not seriously needed then? Or would it be advisable to just leave them out? As well, what do you mean with the thermostat not working with the manifolds, I don't really understand how the thermostat effects the manifolds, is it just that it may open too late?
Thank-you so much,
Sorry for all the questions!