How should I install an oil cooler?

[ChaosAD]

I recently bought an oil cooler for my FWD 4age'd fxgt.
It came with oil cooler, braided lines and a sandwich plate (no thermostat, just a little ballbearing and spring whick must be a bypass valve).

What is the best way to mount/install the cooler itself? I understand they are supposed to be hard up against the radiator but how should I attach it?

Should I install it in front of or behind the radiator? and should it have the radiator fan drawing air through it?

I assume it should be mounted with the hoses attached to the top of the cooler to help prevent any airlocks. But then how do you drain it when you do an oil change?

Any pics would be real helpful.

Cheers

[[V8ROLA]]

you should mount it in front of the radiator IMO, and as for mounting the lines up or down i dont think it would matter as the lines should be under pressure anyway.

[GT4 20]

I would strongly recommend that you fit a waxstat control in the line. That way you can ensure that the oil isn't overcooled.
Gary

[samlloyd]

.......and its good for it to be mounted so the fan draws air through it aswell

[ChaosAD]

I would strongly recommend that you fit a waxstat control in the line. That way you can ensure that the oil isn't overcooled.
Gary

Thanks, thats exactly what I need. What temperature should I go for? My oil cooler is about half the size of an a4 page.

So im going to be mounting it infront of the radiator with the fan drawing air through it. But how do I physically attach it to the radiator?
I saw on club4ag http://www.club4ag.com/faq%20and%20tech_pages/Oil%20Cooler%20Installation.htm that they used some sort of cable ties, wouldnt the mangle the radiator fins? or does that not matter?

[GT4 20]

I'd look at an 80 degree waxstat as that is usually the opimum operating temp for oil.
As for mounting, why nt make up a decent bracket and bolt it to the front x member? That's what I'll be doing when I fit mine on my Rover rally car. The rad fans are on the engine side so plenty of room for an intercooler and an oil cooler up front. I'd be reluctant to mount it directly to the radiator personally - especially using cable ties. Over time you can guarantee that the cable ties will wear down the fins reducing the radiators' efficiency. Do it properly get a proper bracket made up.
Gary

[thaphatty]

well when we change auto trans oil coolers over we always just use cable ties (not normal cable ties) and stick it to the front of the radiator

but the cars we do those on are hardly performance vehicles (RVR's etc)

[ChaosAD]

I have removed my A/C condensor and my car is N/A. so If I were to mount the oil cooler infront of the radiator but not right up against it, wouldnt the air just go around the oil cooler instead of through it?

[GT4 20]

No. If you leave too big a gap between the cores, all that you will end up with is a slight pressure drop after the air passes 'through' the first core. Though in this scale it will make no difference.
Gary