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ST170 oil cooler plumbing?
Nickp - 12/10/18 at 08:03 AM

The ST170 engine I'm fitting to my fwd Quanum has a water-oil cooler fitted between the block and oil filter, so I figured I may as well use it.
I think I've sussed the rest of the engine plumbing but was wondering where best to connect this in. I'm using an earlier Zetec thermostat housing BTW.
Seems I have 3 options-

1. In 'bypass hose', between front outlet on stat housing and t-piece in bottom hose. But I don't know how much coolant flow there will be once engine is up to temp.

2. In series with heater, between rear outlet of stat housing and t-piece between rad and header tank. But I guess there won't be much if any flow if the heater is off.

3. In parallel with heater which seems the best option to me.

big_wasa - 12/10/18 at 03:16 PM

From memory its in series after the heater.

So, stat, heater valve, modine, spider hose ie near the water pump.

I wouldn't bother with it. It's purpose is more to get the oil up to tempreture for emissions than to cool the oil.

It's not uncommon for them to rust out and mix the oil and coolant.

[Edited on 12/10/18 by big_wasa]

Nickp - 12/10/18 at 04:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
From memory its in series after the heater.

So, stat, heater valve, modine, spider hose ie near the water pump.

I wouldn't bother with it. It's purpose is more to get the oil up to tempreture for emissions than to cool the oil.

It's not uncommon for them to rust out and mix the oil and coolant.

[Edited on 12/10/18 by big_wasa]


Cheers, I did wonder how effective it could be at cooling.

cliftyhanger - 12/10/18 at 06:21 PM

Saying that, getting oil up to temp is very important. All too easy to ignore this, and with cars that can be pushed quite soon after starting, it does hold appeal.
If fitting, a new one of OE quality is a wise move.