During my rebuild, I took my oil coolers off and cleaned and straightened all the fins. I think it was Howard in an old post that mentions how therapeutic it can be and I have to agree with him.

Anyway, now they are all clean and mounted but I'm a bit worried with them not having any oil in them. Since there is a thermostat, when I add oil to the motor, it will not make it to the coolers. I understand that there is at least 1.5qt in the coolers/lines and I don't want to suddenly drop by that much when my thermostat opens unless it's OK.

What suggestions / advice do the experts have for this? I will admit I have not looked it up yet in the FSM.

 

drive it slow until up to temp, drive at temp for a few minutes then check oil level and add as needed.

that's what I did when i changed coolers

 

Oil Cooler thermostat opens up at 62C if I remember . so when you get to that temp check fluid level . and add as needed like stated above .

 

For our kits we recommend filling the coolers themselves as much as possible before attaching the lines, and hoses if you can get to them. On the stock coolers you should be able to unscrew the thermostat pellet and fill from there. Then pull the fuse for the fuel pump and crank away to move oil through the system as much as possible. Then start and let it warm up to temp making sure you have oil pressure, shut the motor off, check the level and top up as needed. Then go for a drive and check the level/top off one more time if needed.

-Heath

 

Adam, I just went through this. Fill them up as much as possible ....I used the return line that runs up to the oil filter to get a good dose in (i also made custom lines so I was able to fill the passenger side cooler easy as well) but more importantly just do as recommended above which is to crank the car without starting it to prime the oil system. Then after you start just as you get to temp, check the levels again and fill accordingly.

 

OK will do, thanks everyone. Ted, I'll try your trick. Sadly first fire will not happen tomorrow. My much needed radiator hoses will not arrive till mid next week and I'm out of town. I guess I'll get everything else ready and shoot for next weekend.