Alfa Pages

The Wombat · Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:19 pm Post subject: 16v - oil cooler

Is there any experience out there of fitting an oil cooler to a 16v?

Generally not a problem with mine, but was getting warm under heavy use at Mallory, and its likely to go on the track again in the future, so some precautions probably worthwhile.

I would be very interested to see how this has been done if anyone else has done it. Adapter on the filter pickup would seem the most straight forward, but are there any other options?
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Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

JeremyC · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:20 pm Post subject:

If you do a thermostat is a must.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

The Wombat · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:25 pm Post subject:

Yep, I see there are some sandwich plates with built in thermostats, and some in-line ones that can be bought.

What have other 33 owners done?
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

Oggie · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 8:53 pm Post subject:

I have fitted one, very easy to fit the sandwich plate and pipe work, the difficulty is getting the cooler in a place that gets decent air flow. Mine is fitted to the right of the front grill but being a series 2 I think I have more room.

As for the thermo in the sandwich plate I binned mine, they are unnecessary for racing about and will give you more grief unless you plan to drive normally and sit in heavy traffic.

I had better explain the issue's I had and the implications to why I got rid of the thermo.
When you change the oil in your car everyone warms the oil first to get it nice and thin before switching off and undoing the sump plug, the problem with the oil cooler is the thermostat stays open thus dumping all the extra oil out then closes up leaving you with an air lock Shocked

then after filling up with nice new oil plus an extra litre to account for the extra oil space in the cooler and pipe work.

After a bit of driving the car will then cause the oil thermostat to open up and briefly cause a surge and empty the sump of all the lovely new oil and cause you to spin a big end bearing (it takes just 2 seconds of oil starvation to do this at 3500rpm) I know it happened twice to me.

If you fit one for everyday road use by all means leave the thermostat in place but only empty the sumps oil when cold, another good tip is to dis-connect your dizzy wires and turn your engine over to get the new oil all round the galleries before letting the car start and warm up before driving.

I caused 3ks worth of damage to my engine because of the blimming thermostat , which didn't open up until I had been driving for 35 miles!.
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PHAT 33

The Wombat · Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:53 pm Post subject:

Chrs Oggie

Sound advice.

What brand of sandwich plate and cooler did you go for?
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

Oggie · Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:16 pm Post subject:

Mocal 13 row cooler and braided pipes, not sure of the sandwich plate but I bought it all together so may be a mocal, sadly I can not see a brand name whilst its on the car.
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PHAT 33

Oggie · Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:19 pm Post subject:

My sandwich plate looks identical to this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mocal-Hi-Flow-Oil-Cooler-Sandwich-Plate-With-Thermostat-And-Adaptor-Threads-/261243145602?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cd34e0d82
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PHAT 33