FYI on REPLACING OIL COOLER RINGS
 

Hi Everyone, thanks for all your help so far on my first question, I really appreciate the enthusiasm on this forum.

FYI... If anyone ever needs to replace their oil cooler o-rings on the original "Beehive", I might have a tip for you. At least it worked well for me.

Couldn't begin to loosen the bolts on the cooler ends (banjo, etc.) at all after several attempts using PB Blaster, etc. (they've been on there for 35 years and didn't really need to come off... but how do you remove the oil cooler with the pedestal to access the o-rings?)

I figured out that there is enough "play" in the long oil cooler line itself (going all the way from the "Beehive" to the front of the engine) that you can actually lift and "pop up" the pedestal from its' base by using a very thin, flat screwdriver blade (sacrifice a tool by grinding it down) between the pedestal and it's base. "Gently start to pry it up" and you will begin to see the "threads" on the pedestal separate from its' base. That will allow you enough room to place a small flat mirror at an angle on the engine so you can "see" the underside o-rings and also access them using your fingers/screwdriver. BEFORE ATTEMPTING REPLACEMENT SLIDE A PIECE OF PAPER BETWEEN THE PEDESTAL AND ITS' BASE to block the tube and avoid losing an old o-ring where it shouldn't be!

Once you know where they are, you can easily "feel" for them.

Replace all (4)... (2) are located directly on the top of the pedestal (very easy to see once you remove the "Beehive") and (2) are located underneath.



It took me about 5 minutes once I had the mirror in place. Here are a few pics of what I'm trying to describe...

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5c069bad96.jpg

"Beehive Oil Cooler" removed... pic shows "topside" of the pedestal. (2) o-rings in plain view.




https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5d44a523c6.jpg

This pic shows placement of small mirror at an angle once the pedestal is gently lifted up from its' base.




https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ca284b9d07.jpg

The red outline of the star shows the reflection in the mirror of the o-rings located underneath. There is enough room to easily access them using the mirror as a guide.

Very nice write-up. Thanks for the contribution! :)

You’re very welcome!😎