As some of you might remember, I got an 85 rad for my 82. I am running into a few problems with the oil cooler lines. I went to a hydraulic shop today and found out that they wanted $200 to lengthen my lines to put my oil cooler in front of the rad. I don't feel like paying $200 to do this. Are there any alternatives?

I searched and didn't find any answers.

 

What about an aftermarket oil cooler kit? I think I seen them for less than a $100.

 

I have never seen an aftermarket kit. What is it? Does it just include a length of hose and fittings and you assemble yourself or something like that?

 

this is the company that makes my hoses. All they change is the hose and new crimps. No need to buy fittings etc etc. have same one for over 3 yeas now and no leaks. I will be heading there too to get a new one for the FB. this is only to give u cheaper ideas.

http://www.hose-man.com/sys-tmpl/door/

 

Search over on the mazspeed board. We had a lenghty discussion on this last year.

 

You could just get an FC oil cooler. The lines are long enough, but you'd have to custom mount it.

 

I suggest you go to an industrial place that make hydralic hoses. It would be MUCH cheaper.

I had two lines made up for 55$ including the lines. They reused my old fittings. Took them 10 minutes.

 

I just did the exact same thing, my stock 82 radiator
blew apart, so i bought an either an 84 or 85 radiator from an -SE. If you don't use e-fans, get the fan shroud from that radiator the 82's are too small. anyway i made my own oil cooler lines, stainless steel braided, what i did was use some old oil lines cut'um up and used the ends(fittings) for the new lines. I doubled up the hose clamps on the ends, no leaks. you might try some hi-presure hose and do the same. I also had to fab. some mounts for the cooler itself. Remember,,, no ridgid mounting of the cooler, shock mount with some rubber
or something to keep the cooler from cracking.

 

I can get FC oil coolers from the local yards for $25 to $40. Actually, I have two spares just because they're so cheap. I'm pretty sure the FC coolers are bigger, too. And since you'd have to fab a mount for either cooler you use anyway... Ah well, that's what I'd recommend anyways. I got a FC cooler in my FB after I did the oil cooler conversion. Worked out pretty well.
Either way you choose will work just fine, though.

 

55 damn that seems high, I've had comparable lines made for about half that much, with new fittings and aircraft grade rubber

 

The place I went to is where the company I work for goes. They didn't say anything about reusing the same fittings. I thought that once they are crimped, they can't be taken off. I will check to see if they can reuse the old fittings.

 

I took the old lines, took off the crimping, used hydraulic line (yup just rubber) and 1/4-1/2" Hose clamps. No leaks, no issues - as long as you want for a few bucks.

I got it for free from Steve on the other forum, and he suggests replacing it every 2-3 years. Says he never had any problem at all with it.

Cheers.

 

Cool, I'll do that then. I should be able to get the hydraulic hose I need for $20-$30. The biggest expence in the original cost were the fittings. My guess is that the banjo fitting cost like $70 for them to get. The longer hose would have cost me $140 by itself.