Can a guy run the stock(1985 gs) water to oil cooler and add a 1979 under radiator cooler also? I got a great deal on one and want to run both but not sure if it can be done. Anyone?

Tim

 

You are better off just using the stock under radiator from the 79-82. Using the oil to water cooler will just heat up the oil after passing it through the oil to air. Converting your car to the "under radiator" or even using both could be easily done.

 

From what I've heard the oil/water cooler is notorious for causing oil and water leaks, so you're better off just to scrap it. The oil/air works much better anyways.

 

i think he was talking about using both,
or just adding the under radiator one

it sounds like he has a gs that already has the water/air.

someone just posted pics of the job as it was being done.

 

My oil to water is still on the gs(85) and I got the under radiator one at pick "n" pull for $18 with the radiator.

I'm going to tackle it today and try to get the old one off. Do I just cap off the water lines that "t" off the block going to the cooler. I grabbed the one hose from the other car that went right from the block to the heater core.

They had a nice red gs with under 100,000 on the clock. I was going to pull the motor but they crushed it last week. Motor and all. There is also a 2nd gen(Automatic) with 129,000 and the motor is going for $116

 

I just replaced the O-rings under my water/oil cooler. What a PITA and hunk-a-junk that is! But at least there are no more freak'n leaks.

Anyway, I'm seriously considering converting to an air/oil cooler but in order to that what parts would I need? Obviously I need the radiator but what about the oil filter tower? And then there are the hard lines. Can I use flexible oil lines in place of the hard lines? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

I might be smokin crack since I don't have an SE, but I think the GSL-SE oil cooler has a bracket that mounts it in front of the bigger radiator... so maybe you could use an SE cooler or just the bracket/non-SE cooler with your current rad? Sorry if I'm full of it on this one.

 

Yes the SE units mounts in front of and below the radiator, but they are really bad for cracking at the hose bosses and more importantly, the mounting brackets are not available without the cooler. Most of the rubber mounts left from original are getting pretty old. If someone knows a resource for 84-85 SE oil cooler mounts it would be a great service to list that information here.

 

Yeah I noticed that at the local junkyard they look to be in bad shape, I think im gonna lookl around for a T2 FC one, and maybe get the RB adapters/or make something to mount it...

 

In the water to oil coolers (the crappy ones), is it more common that they leak oil or water?... I think mine does both! Is it just a matter of replacing O-rings and flexible hose?

 

To convert to a air/oil cooler, what about the existing water/oil cooler? If I remove it, what do I mount the oil filter on? I'd prefer to remove it because it's obviously an engineering after-thought and a weak link in the system. Anyone?

 

When you find that "doner" vehicle, snag the oil filter mount also. You'll see how simple it is.

 

On the rear steel housing you have a split T connection when the older 12A's and 13b-se had a single outlet.. I guess it could be crimped and welded shut? Or unless anyone else has a better plan?

Yeah you will need an older pedestal for it too, I think I have one on one of the old motors I have here somewhere

 

changing the config. of your oil cooling system,is a
good idea.the cooler under the rad.go ahead.as far
as you can,,it's straight forward plumbing,i'm not
sure about the oil filter piller though,,if you don't have
it,you may want to get one.mazdatrix has the hoses,
SS,or standard,and mounting hardware,check'em out

 

I hacksawed off the T fitting right before the split, making it a straight fitting. then put a good hose clamp on it. no problems yet.

 

Finished the job! Very easy and took 3 hours including putting in a new starter. I got a 1979 oil filter mount from the donor car and the water line off the split, I just ran it straight to the heater core. Temp stays put now at 1/4 up on the meter. Best $45 I have spent on the car. My old water to oil cooler had only one O-ring on it. Best way to get it off for me was to take off the front 10mm first then go uner the car and take off the rear one. Was a tough one to get at as oil was everywhere.

 

Cool! I might do this on my car, as warm temperatures are approaching. I'm assuming this is on a 12A? How easy was it to mount the 'under-the-radiator' oil to water cooler from the 79-82 onto the 85? Let me know, thanks .

 

so all you need is the pedastal mount for the oil cooler and some the hoses that come with that, block off the old water lines, and mount the new oil cooler and stuff?

i just got a steal of a new radiator for my 85 gsl off an 85 (gs i think it was) outta the jy for 30 bucks thats way bigger than stock and i dont wanna have to resort to the smaller radiators in the early models. im just wondering if thats all i'll need to mount any oil cooler is the pedastal mount. i guess im just lazy and dont wanna check out my haynes manual to see where the hoses and all come out for the oil cooler on the earlier ones.
gamble

 

Yup, just get the pedestal mount, and the cooler and radiator. The one I got is a 3 core as teh stock 1985 12a gs model was 2 core. I drove in this morning and I might have to block some of it off as it kept getting cooler on the hwy. Very nice. The under radiator cooler lines go right into the block in front and the rear one goes into a plug you take out. Much easier than you think. Just need to get a 12a header and a weber or yaw carb and I'm set. I didnt have the mounts for the oil cooler so I had to safety wire it in place for now unti lI find some. Doesn't move around at all. Hope that helps all of those looking to do the same.

 

What year did you get the 3 core radiator from?

 

1979 with a 12a in it. It's still at the jy along with another 1985 model. They also have a 2nd gen there with an automatic tranny. Any parts I should get off that for my 1st gen?

 

If posible get a FC oil cooler (air/oil) they are newer and do not crack as offen. But you will need to get the RB adapters though. This is the setup that I did on my car works very well.

 

so any one wanna post pics? I gt my cooler. I got the factory lines to connect it to the engine,but Im nervous about where t put all my water lines. someone post pics of how they did it.

Mike

 

you do not need the adaptors if you snag the FC oil cooler lines.

I will try to post pics this week, but it is striaght forward to do. all you need is one water line from on the motor under the oil filter to the heater core, and one from the heater core to the metal line on the firewall going to the lower radiator hose opening.

 

All you have to do is cut the T fitting and put the stock hose back on it.

On the other side, you need to run a new hose, and cut a little off the metal line that goes to the radiator. It takes no time at all to do.