I have heard they make a difference at high RPMs like when on a race course or cruising at highway speeds at high RPMs. The oil can get real hot then.

Maybe someone can post their knowledge because this is strictly what I have heard.

I think they look real cool though.

 

The engine is mostly cooled by water, but partly by oil. When cooling is minimal (like yours) every little bit helps. A thermostat is strongly recommended for a street driven car.

 

I just ordered one, also order 8 quart roadrace oil pan. I ran my spec racer at Buttonwillow a few weeks ago for first time. Stock oil pan. Weather was mild, about 75 degrees. Water temp never went above 180, but the oil ran at 240 all the time on the track. Oil cooler should solve this issue.

 

I have searched on this and have had discussions with people I trust. For what it's worth... the general thought was that the cooler is not needed for street cars and could even hurt the engine in running too cool oil temp. I like the looks and was willing to burn the cash for the look. I have ordered a Canton thermostat (215 degree cutoff) to mantain oil temp. HTH.

 

I'm running the 460 with the canton oil pan, oil cooler and accusump with thermastat and associated lines.

Took 13 quarts to fill

I agree it is probably not required but it sure looks cool with those -10AN lines running thru the the nose cowl. On the otherhand I have already had the thermastat open up once on a cool day during a go cart ride while I was essentially just idleing

 

Here is some real world feedback...

Love the look so I ordered one.. I have a 351 based 418 with no cooling issues to date.. Prior to installing the cooler my oil temp was close to my water temp... 190-210 depending on engine load..

Installed the cooler without t-stat and the oil stayed about 50 degrees less than water temp.. NOT GOOD.. at times the oil temp was around 50 when driving at 60mph in air temp of 45.. Early morning start of a trip it was cold!

Purchased the Canton Billet t-stat and all is well but I can now say that only under extreme conditions does the oil pass out to the cooler..

So after $700 investment I can say a cooler looks cool but.....the 460 as mentioned above can use all the cooling it can get so do it and don't forget the t-stat

 

Wnstwolf, where did you read the oil temp? coming out of the engine or going into the engine?

 

Oil that doesn't get to proper operating temperature can be damaging to an engine. Even on the track, it's quite surprising how long it takes for the oil to come up to temp. I also think that a cooler looks neat, but definitly wouldn't use one without a thermostat.

 

I have gone a slightly different root. Will be useing an oil to water cooler from Gordon.

Eric

 

The oil cooler will not help stuck in city traffic unless you rig up a small fan - no air flow, no cooling. The oil to water approach should solve that problem. Also, the standard Cobra oil cooler is too restrictive for a 460, you must use a cooler with more rows, or hook two in parallel as I did. FFR notes this limitation on the cooler they sell.