Will an Engine Oil Cooler Help Bring Down Engine Temperature on a 1970 Plymouth Cuda
Question:
I am running a 5.7l hemi in 1970 cuda. On the highway the water temp is in the range of 210deg until I reach an rpm of 4000 rev. It then starts creeping up to 235-240deg at which I have to slow down. I am thinking of installing a derale engine cooler 15604. Will this help in ping down my engine temp? If so how many deg? By the way I have a180 deg thermostat.
asked by: Bob
Expert Reply:
The Derale Stacked-Plate Engine Oil Cooler, # D15604, that you mentioned would be a good addition to help cool the engine oil in your 1970 Cuda. An oil cooler like # D15604 should provide you with a drop in your water temperatures. Most likely it would be a drop between 10-20 degrees but it really depends on the vehicle and how much airflow the cooler gets.
I would recommend checking the specifications for cooling your specific 5.7 liter Hemi engine and going with the manufacturer recommendation for radiator capacity and thermostat temperature.
If your engine is a newer engine you most likely need a higher rated thermostat to open and close at the right temperature to allow your engine to properly cool.
If you are using an older 1970s radiator the efficiency of the radiator is most likely not able to keep up with the heat output of the newer Hemi engine design. A newer aluminum radiator design is going to be much more efficient for the same size older copper fin type radiator.
You may also want to look into using a high output radiator fan assembly to increase the airflow across the radiator in your Cuda. I attached links to High output 4000 CFM fan and shroud assemblies which can be used between the radiator and engine, and to the Dual Tornado Electric Fan Assembly, # D16834, which can be mounted in front of the radiator to push extra air through the radiator for increased efficiency.
You will need a thermostatic fan control kit to go along with an electric fan assembly. You can use the Single-Stage Thermostat Fan Control, # D16735, to have the fan switch on at 180 degrees and and shut off at 165 degrees.
You may also want to try distilled water with a coolant additive like Water Wetter to provide the best possible cooling with the downside that it will freeze much sooner than an antifreeze solution. You may try distilled water for the summer months and then go to an antifreeze blend once it gets colder. You would be surprised how much of a temperature drop you would get going from a 50/50 antifreeze blend to distilled water.
Other than that I do believe a more efficient radiator should be your best bet at reducing the coolant temperatures.
Products Referenced in This Question
Derale Premium, Single-Stage Thermostat Fan Control with Dual Probes - 180 Degrees
- Accessories and Parts
- Radiator Fans
- Thermostat
- 25 Amps
- Derale
more information >
Derale 32" Dual Tornado Electric Fan Assembly - 2,700 CFM
- Radiator Fans
- Electric Fans
- Tornado Fan
- 32 Inch Diameter
- 2700 CFM
- Derale
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Derale Stacked-Plate Engine Oil Cooler Kit w/ Non-Thermostatic Sandwich Adapter - Class III
- Engine Oil Coolers
- Stacked-Plate Cooler
- W/ Sandwich Adapter
- Class III
- 13W x 4-9/16T x 2D Inch
- With - 8 AN Inlets
- Derale
more information >
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