After I reinstalled my engine I had ripped off that foam that was on the bottom of the oil cooler and the radiator. Well, I was thinking it was there for a reason so I went to Lowes and bought some foam squares.

Here is what I noticed. The oil temps seem to be a little higher. They never touched 180°F now they do. However, my water temps are slightly cooler. Maybe 5°F cooler during cruisning. This is durning break in so I have not floored it yet or dogged the car.

My guess is that the oil cooler is no longer getting that airflow going under it and that is less cooling area for it. So the oil temps are up. However, more air is being forced to the radiator. Running the coolant temps down a little bit. Anybody have any observations on that?

James

 

That’s weird. There would be SFA cooling of the oil through the bottom of the oil cooler, a tiny amount of radiation only. Reinstalling the foam should force all the air through the radiator and oil cooler instead of leaking through gaps, improving cooling ability. I guess as long as they’re staying at these temps it should be fine, but I can’t explain it!