Oil Cooler: Wider Radiator in my 85 EC?

[xcookpac]

Hi there new member form New Jersey with an 85 el Camino. I am planning on installing an oil cooler and I need a little input from members here


I want to run an oil cooler on my 85EC. I understand that the 96 impala SS (and 9C1 police model) had an oil cooler built into the driver side of the radiator. However, the Impala SS radiator is 30.5" wide versus 26.25" for the 85EC. Does anyone know ehether the Impala SS radiator will fit into my 85EC. The depth and height of both radiators are apparently almost the same within 1.2 inch.

How wide a radiator will successfully fit into a g body such as an 85 EC?

Has anyone else added an oil cooler?

Based on dimensions listed on suppliers websites the dimensions are as follows:

1.) 85EC: 26.25"x16.75"x1.5"

2.) 96Impala SS: 30.5"x17.0"x1.5"

Alternatively, some models of Impala SS came with divorced oil cooler which I am also looking into.

 

[1983regal]

Not sure what the size is but the S10 4.3 heavy duty radiator has a built in oil cooler and alot of guys running small block's in there S10's run that radiator. You could also go the the parts store and ask to take a look at their radiator catalog and find something from another GM vehicle with the cooler in it, that would fit your vehicle.

 

[kornball426]

If your radiator is in good shape, and it meets your engines cooling needs... Then I wouldn't mess with putting a different radiator in it. Not that it's that big of a deal to change out a radiator, but it would be a lot easier to just put an aftermarket oil cooler on the car in front of the existing radiator.

 

[megaladon6]

If your radiator is in good shape, and it meets your engines cooling needs... Then I wouldn't mess with putting a different radiator in it. Not that it's that big of a deal to change out a radiator, but it would be a lot easier to just put an aftermarket oil cooler on the car in front of the existing radiator.

x2

 

[565bbchevy]

I just want to verify you are talking engine oil cooler not trans.
Do you have a gauge to moniter oil temp and if so how hot is it getting?
If it truly is getting too hot then I would get an external cooler plumbed seperately from the radiator.
My oil temp never goes beyond 190 but I also have a 10 quart system.

 

[pontiacgp]

if your oil is getting too hot your engine has be over heating and if you run the oil too cool your engine will wear out prematurely

 

[xcookpac]

I am the OP and yes I am talking about an oil cooler. It is my intention to install an oil temperature gauge as part of this install. Thanks for all the helpful posts but I have a follow-up question as follows:

1.) If I use a stand-alone (AKA divorced) oil cooler on my 85EC then is there a potential that the cooler would cool the oil too much in some situations such as cruising down a flat interstate at 70mph?

2.) Are oil coolers built into the oil tank superior because such oil cooler is more likely to keep the oil at say 180 to 200 degrees (depending on type of oil, engine load, radiator capacity, etc.) which I understand to be in the oil operating temperature range of most oils.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

If your concerned about the oil being too cool you can install an oil thermostat that won't pass the oil to the cooler until it reaches a certain temperature.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/produ ... oduct=1226

On my 455 I have a Setrab external oil cooler in front of the radiator with #10 lines running to it and one of these thermostats plumbed inline.

 

[1evilregal]

most of the caprice 9C1's have a divorced eoc..... I'm plaing one on the regal with the 327 soon. you could also look @ some of the astro vans and the s1o blazers (4x4's) with the remote filters/EOC's.