ranger306ci

Definatly sounds like a t-stat problem there!

cdrad51

Which part is this? the cover you have to get off to get to the oil cooler from under the car? If so, mine has been off for months. And now that summer is over, just to give you an idea, I'm almost having trouble keeping the engine temp past the 2nd mark (like at 1/5th of the gauge). Doesn't matter whether I'm stuck in traffic or going up a hill at 100 mph. The temp doesn't go past 1/3rd of the gauge.

rxseven07

really? im buying a 160 thermostat today... hopefully that helps out..

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Ok I'm lost...which thermostat should I be getting? I thought it's better just to stick w/ the OEM one? Or is there another aftermarket one that is better (maybe a lower temp one, so it lets coolant in sooner)?

cdrad51

I'm running an 180 degrees one I got at Autozone.

red_blast

Ok update...
I went to put the new radiator in yesterday and when I got it out of the box I noticed that it was approxiamately 3 inches taller than the one I had just taken out of it. I called the parts guys that I got the radiator from just to make sure they didn't screw the oder up. They had the correct radiator for a 13B. The guy I bought the car from told me that he pulled the radiator and the oil cooler out of an 84 or 85 SE. He didn't look into to finding out if what he got was the stock setup. The setup that was in the car when I bought it had the radiator sitting directly on top on the oil cooler. Now am I misktaken or is the oil cooler supposed to sit in front of the radiator? If the oil cooler weren't where it is, the new radiator would fit just fine. I would move the oil cooler up some but the oil lines aren't long enough to reach. So I am wondering which of the radiators is supposed to be the stock radiator. The one I took out or the new one. And I want to move the oil cooler in front of the radiator... Should I buy all new oil lines or take them off, take them to a hydrolic shop and have them rebuilt? Thanks.

--Lauren

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Lauren,

An 85 GSL-SE is a 13B, fuel injected FB. Every other FB (including my GSL) is a 12A Carburated. So it sounds like the guy was being honest and correct...his 85 SE (GSL-SE) would have a 13B, but I believe it IS a diff radiator than the ones the 12As run. Also, I'm not sure what years have this, but some (including mine) have the oil cooler back against the firewall, w/ the oil filter sitting on top of it. That is air and water cooled. The ones that sit in the front of the engine bay near the radiator are only air cooled (or so I've been told). Again, I don't know which years came w/ the front mounted oil cooler vs. the rear-mounted oil cooler w/ oil filter on top of it. Someone else will have to chime in on that. But an oil cooler relocation is very possible. Hope this helps some tho.

~Ramy

red_blast

I have a 12a and 13b RX7. My 13b is actually carburated. It shouldn't matter though. What I am leaning towards is moving the oil cooler up to the front and then putting the new radiator in.

--Lauren

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

It sounds like the rad/oil cooler combo you have is from a pre-83 car. The cars before 83 had a shorter radiator with the oil cooler mounted underneath. After this, Mazda went to the taller radiator and used the beehive oil to water type oil cooler. On the GSL-SE, however, Mazda went back to the air cooled type oil cooler and mounted it in front of the larger style radiator.

So to use the SE radiator, you can get line from an SE, either used or new, or you can have a hydraulic shop make you up some lines. The mounting and the angles of the inlet/outlet of the oil cooler is a bit different between the SE and what you have, but you should be able to get it to fit without too many problems.

Kent

Hades12

there are two stock T-stats a 180 and a 190 or 195.

Dan Atkins can get you a 160 with the correct block off plate. The 160 from VB does not have the Block off plate and should not be used.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Ok...so the 160 degree T-stat sounds like a great idea... Are there any drawbacks to using that one, say, vs. the stock 180 degree one?

red_blast

Does anyone know someone who sells an SE radiator? I cannot seem to find them. Also if someone could measure their radiator in their SE and tell me the dimensions. The radiator I took out of mine measure 15 inches long and 24 inches wide. I need to know if that IS an SE radiator or not. Thanks!!!

--Lauren

Hades12

Lauren

The SE rad is tall and takes up all of the space to the bottom. If you have the Oil cooler under the Rad then it is not an SE rad. That really does not answer your question but I dont have one I can measure right now.

red_blast

What sounds like a better option.... Keep the new, larger radiator and get a new oil cooler. OR put the same (new) radiator I took out back in and keep the oil cooler where it is? I would feel better with the bigger radiator in there with a new front mounted oil cooler.

--Lauren

Hades12

There is really not a difference between the tall rad and the short Fat rad. both do the job well.

You could put the tall one in and then move your oil cooler infront, you would not need a new oil cooler just some longer lines for it, and fab a set of mounts.

red_blast

Still would like to hear what radiator and oil cooler actually DID come in the SE stock. I'm being told 2 different things. Any SE owners around? Thanks.

--Lauren

Hades12

SE had the Tall Rad with the oil Cooler mounted infront.

red_blast

I've been told otherwise by an SE owner. I'm confused. I think I need pics.

--Lauren

Hades12

These are the best I can do. And I am afraid I cant take anymore, The car has long sence been torn down. I do still have the Rad but as you can see it looks like Crap.








The fins to the top back are The Rad and the ones on the bottom to the front are the oil cooler.

Hades12

Lauren

I still have that SE Rad if you want it. It is not in the best shape. My wife will be back out in GB on tuesday and could bring it out there with her. Just let me know by friday.

red_blast

I appreciate it, Matthew, but I'd rather order a brand new radiator. Thanks anyways.

--Lauren