Yo,



My Rxs's cooler started to leak so I got under there and tightened the fittings.... then it really started pissing. Turns out that these coolers split right up the threads. Lesson learned.

I'm looking to get rid of the 35 year old cooler and modifying something from another model.

Has anyone ever put a second gen cooler in an rx3? Is there a common swap being done out there?

Have I posted in the wrong section?

Thanks in advance,

Later.

 

79-82 would work will minor mod on the mounting ears. FC is not really an option as there will be a large gap between the radiator and OC due to FC's oil inlet. OR mount it in front of the radiator.

 

Thanks, bud.

I guess I'm now on the hunt for a 79-82 cooler. I guess the 83 has that wonky one up at the oil fill cap?

thanks again.

 

An 83 is still worth checking. The beehive oil cooler was a rolling change in 83, so early cars have the standalone, later cars have the beehive.

 

I have a 79-82 cooler on my RX3. Fit under the stock radiator with just a little tweaking.

 

A good welder can heliarc the cracked threads. I have had it done on SE coolers before. Other options is have the bungs cut off and new ones welded on.

 

I gave a shop my old one and he was planning on hot tanking it, cutting off the ends and welding new ones on. He had an Rx2 and Rx4 cooler laying around and showed the difference to me. The Rx3 cooler had less runners and was known to be the poorest choice of the three.

I think I'll look around for the 79-82 cooler. Thanks for the help.

 

Im in the middle of putting a FD cooler in my duece. Ill see how it goes and let you know.

 

That leads me to another question. Are all the hoses interchaneable? Without having all the gererations of Rexies infront of me, do all the lines exit and enter all rotaries in the same place?

I remember seeing a second gen at the wrecker and noticed the hose had a chunk of hard line, then I started thinkin that maybe the fittings were larger blah blah.

 

I know the thrid gen is not compatible with any others cause it doesnt screw.

 

2nd gens use banjo bolts on the fmoc and are bolted to the top and end of the tank. The earlier fmocs screw in the backside of the tanks, (for the 1st gens anyway). My RX4 manual is a bit cryptic. bit it looks like the lines screw into the end of the fmoc on those.

Overtightening the lines, and cracking the bungs is the major cause of leaks in the pre-2nd gen fmocs. Always replace the crush washers everytime the lines are broke loose. As far as I know the supply to the fmoc comes off of the front cover and the return is to the bottom of the rear iron, 79 and newer. I have not worked on pre-7 rotarys, they may be different.

 

The oil coolers on the rx3 and rx2 are on the left, close together on top of each other, and facing back towards the spark plugs.... if anyone cares.

Anyone want to comment on the GSL-SE cooler? I had a GSL-SE with a bad hose once and remember the lines from a GSL not fitting for some reason.

I just want to make sure I know the whole lineup of coolers and lines before I get dirty.

 

RX-4 and Cosmo = staright like the 79-82 but it has an extra core.

79-82 = fittings are both straight or kinda facing 3oclock position. GSL-SE OC = the fittings are facing 2oclock and 4 oclock. If the any of the above are used, be sure to attach the oil cooler lines first prior to mouting it to the radiator. Otherwise, it will be PITA as the lower OC hose end fitting will hit the frame.

Yeah, junk the stock rubber mounts and use plumbers tape instead. In addition, be sure to use new crush washer and 2 wrenches OR it will crack. I use a grinded down 21mm open end to secure the OC inlet fitting.