The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine oil cooler 1956 235 3600

I live in Arizona and I am wondering if an engine oil cooler would raise my oil pressure a few lbs.? I have a 235, polished crank .0025 clearance, new cam and bearings. It will run 35 lbs. cold and 20 lbs. hot in the summer. Also a new oil pump, and externally added oil filter, that I can run the lines to the cooler. I am running 15w40 oil. I know these engines dont run excess pressure but I would feel comfortable with a little more.
Thanks
Sharon

If you're running the original-style external filter with the cartridge insert and the screw-on top, it will have a 1/16" diameter flow restrictor built into the standpipe the filter cartridge slides over. If someone has plumbed in an add-on filter adapter with a screw-on canister, most of the oil flow is probably returning to the crankcase and very little flow is getting to the engine without a restrictor installed. This will also drop the oil pressure to dangerous levels.

The pressures you're describing are normal for a full-pressure 235, and a cooler isn't likely to improve it much, if any. Any oil pressure at all indicates that the pump is delivering more oil to the bearings than they can leak away- - - -even one pound of pressure is an indication that the engine is getting all the lubrication it needs, plus a little more to make the pressure rise. If the oil was leaking away from the bearings at the same volume the pump supplies it, the pressure would be zero. Thicker oil such as straight 30 weight or heavier will increase the pressure, but there might be concerns about getting the oil to go everywhere it needs to on a cold start. The only way to get an increase in pressure will be to flow more oil volume to the bearings, and I don't think a high-volume pump is readily available for the 235 engine. It might be possible to adapt a pump made for a GMC engine like a 270 or 302- - - -not sure if that will improve things or not.
Jerry

Jerry, I did the external spin on filter adaptation as described in the tech section here on Stovebolt. Blocked off the oil galley, ran it outside to the filter, then back into the galley towards the rear off the engine. Oil pressure pops to 35 lbs. within 2-3 seconds of start-up. I have 4000 miles on this build and its quiet as the first day of the rebuild. I guess I won't worry about the oil cooler anymore. This is a car 235 with hydra. lifters also.
Thank you
Sharon

Two and a half thou on main bearings is on the high end of new (.001 to .003 new .001 to .0045 used).

Cooling the oil will no do anything to increase pressure (pumps create flow, and restrictions create pressure).

As already stated, any pressure is good. 90% of wear is at start up. If you *really* want to alleviate wear, spend your money on a pre-oiling system. That will pressure your bearings before startup and wear is GREATLY reduced.