So I am rebuilding my engine soon. I had the oil cooler out with the lines disconnected. I decided to clean it up give it a polish look. I used my dads wire wheel to clean it up. As i was cleaning it my pops came and told me I was making a big mistake by cleaning the fins. Apparently I bent the fins. I was talking to my friend on the forum and he said the FC oil coolers are bullet proof. Does anyone know how to check if i messed up the oil cooler? Or should I just get another oil cooler. What I originally wanted to do was clean it up and paint it flat black just to give it a fresh look. Any insight would help, here are pix of the oil cooler

 

straighten them out with a flat head screwdriver

 

you should be ok. there is a tool that you can buy for about 4 bucks to straighten out the fins for better airflow

 

where can i buy the tool? For future reference how should i clean the fins? and what kind of paint should i use on the oil cooler?

 

should I use a scotch-brite pad? I want to paint the oil cooler flat black.

 

harbor frieght has them. i almost bought one yesturday

 

oh okay cool. Whats the name of the tool do you know by any chance? and I just have to straighten out the fins and I should be fine correct. There is still a very small amount of oil and it doesn't seem to be leaking anywhere.

 

na but its down the aisle that has the fuel pressure testers and brake caliper tools ect.

 

im pretty sure its fine.

 

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/80760/10002/-1?CT=999

 

but can't I damage the fins if i bend them? there could be a chance I crake fins by moving them again?

 

just when you reinstall it keep an eye on it for leaks for a couple of days. but like i said im sure its fine

 

id go buy that tool cause it will support both sides of the fins and you can do 4 or 5 fins at a time so it will be quicker

 

soak in degreaser

 

the thing right now is. I don't know if I should buy another oil cooler. I don't want this oil cooler leaking after my build. That will just push me off the edge. Before I mistakenly wire wheeled the oil cooler it never leaked. So I should just get the tool from harbor fret and arrange the rows. Then clean it out with degreaser?

 

never knew this existed, awesome I'm buying one!

 

yes got to harbor frieght or jegs and purchase the tool. streighten out the fins. then soak it in degreaser. from the looks of it you didnt damage the oilcooler. but i could be wrong. next time just soak in degreaser and use a metal polish on it. the tool at harbor frieght its 3.99 i think. its deff worth it. ill be buying it next time i go,

 

I will most likely order the tool from jegs to straighten the fins. Then clean it with degreaser and a scotch brite pad to clean it and give it a nice polish. Then pressure test it to make sure it doesn't leak. Thanks for the help guys

 

There are shops that specialize in cleaning and repairing aircraft and automotive oil coolers. I'm sure a simple google search would list quite a few shops like this in California. This would be the option if you are wanting to do an awesome bang-up job.

 

Oil doesn't flow through the fins, just the bars between them.

 

yup.

and... if it leaks, it leaks. throw it on and see if it does leek. if not, roll hard core at something no one will ever see.

 

In regards to the jegs tool what do the different numbers indicate? Which one would I have rouse for my oil cooler?

 

read the description

the one that fits

 

Damnit, i was just there YESTERDAY getting plastic panel poppers and socket rails. I want one of those!

 

I found that a flat head worked way quicker than that tool.