MG Midget Forum

I did a quick search on this question, but only found pieces to my inquiry... sorry (in advance) if this is one of those topics that has come up MANY times before.

I'm seriously considering adding an oil cooler to my 76 midget. I've seen that the 1500 engine installation is very straightforward (there is just a housing added below the oil filter that has both the in and out oil lines attached). My questions about these are:

1) I would assume that "additional" oil needs to be added to the engine when using the oil cooler (radiator). Does anyone know how much more? Or is that dependent on the number of rows in the cooler? (I may be buying aftermarket or used - so that info may not be included on an info sheet with my purchase).

2) When changing engine oil, is there a way to drain the cooler (radiator) and lines? Obviously the oil isn't going to flow back uphill thru the oil filter housing. I'm wondering if there is a drain plug somewhere and if I need to be aware of how I attach the cooler in the car so as to allow access to a drain plug.

Just wondering what difficulties I may have. Any information on ones you have would be greatly appreciated. As always, we love pictures.

---

Thomas (Count) Basey
_______________________________________________________
“With each replacement of parts, my British car slowly becomes Chinese.”

Don't buy a USED oil cooler.

No need to drain cooler when changing oil..... there's not that much in there.

You'll have more volume in the hoses than the cooler. Probably adds 1/2 quart or so.

Peter C

Install cooler, check dipstick, add enough oil to bring the level to the full line & you're good to go...
Change oil & filter normally, don't putz around trying to drain the cooler.
It's really simple, don't over think it

---

If it ain't broke, I'll fix it until it is!

As Pete mentions avoid a used cooler as it may contain bits and pieces of an old motor failure. Not much oil in a cooler so don't worry about exact amt, just fill the motor to the proper level. Never heard of a drain in a cooler so I wouldn't worry about it.
Not sure why you are installing a cooler but if it's to gain more oil pressure don't expect much gain. Prob for road use we don't need a cooler...having said that I have one mounted on my 71. On a hot day here in Atlanta my engine temp barely reaches 180F and more usually never tops 175. When it gets cooler I block the radiator about 25% to get it to run hot enough. Engines need to get above 170 to allow the oil to heat properly and drive off contaminants.
Race cars are another matter entirely.

---

Iceman

Atlanta GA

71 MG Midget

62 AH MKII
67 Midget
71 Midget

Even if an old cooler contained crud from an engine failure I'm not sure how that would hurt anything. The cooler is ahead of the filter. Somebody splain to me why the oil filter wouldn't stop the debris from reaching the engine. ??

Rick, even it the filter generally would take care of any particles I don't think I would take the chance for the few bucks saved with getting a used cooler. Just not my preference.

---

Iceman

Atlanta GA

71 MG Midget

62 AH MKII
67 Midget
71 Midget

Maybe before you custom install a oil cooler, you should get a oil temp gauge and then maybe that will help you decided if you need a oil cooler to begin with, and the answer would be in most cases would be, probably not. Higher oil temps are normally related to higher rpm, the higher rpms, the higher the oil temps. If a person told me, they drove their car for long distances across the Arizona desert in 100 degree+ weather at highways speed, I would say, then yes that is good reason for a oil cooler, but truth be known most street Spridgets never even reach 200 degrees without a oil cooler, so you don't need one, and in colder weather would be counterproductive and need to covered to let the engine oil temp to rise to reasonable operating temp.

We need oil cooler on race engines, and to be well ducted for air, and even then we may see 220+ at race rpms, 7000-8000, but as soon as the checker flag is thrown and we are on the cool down lap, headed back to pits at say 5000 rpms, we can easily see oil temps drop down 50 degrees, so this is what made me form the above opinion on the necessity of oil cooler on street Spridget.

---

Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
864-370-3000
Website: www.acmespeedshop.com
hapwaldrop@acmespeedshop.com