P71 Oil Cooler

[Taemian]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a new MM owner up here in Canada. I just bought a 9156 mile Silver '04 MM in Tennesee, USA, but have driven P71 Vics (police package) for many years both professionally and as personal vehicles. Now that I have the MM, I'm wondering about adding the engine oil cooler from a P71 to the MM. As I understand, the MM already has a small tranny cooler? The thing I've loved about my P71s was the ultra-reliability, and longevity.

Any thoughts on this mod? I've got no engine mods planned until the warranty expires....and like Bob Bondurant says "There is always more speed to be found in the chassis." This resonates with me as I do canyon-carving as opposed to straight line racing.

A few more questions:

Has anyone done any lightening mods? I'm not interested in battery relocation, but have an Optima gel battery all ready to go that shaves 20 pounds off the nose.

Newb question re: rear springs. I read so much about the airbags. Is the ride height adjustable at all? I plan to put some Eibach springs in (all the way around). Is this going to screw up ride height with the airbags? Do they compensate with the ride being about an inch lower? Do we have other spring manufacturers who sell to us? An inch doesn't seem much with our wheel wells.

Shocks: Anyone had good (or bad) experiences with particular brands? I've used Edlebrock Performer shocks on all my P71s, and they have been very good for the money.

As an avid Fox-platform racer, I've seen lots of boxed control arms crack/tear their mounting points from too much stress transmitted further up. I've seen the posts on Metco/Zack arms etc and am anxious to see how the mounting points can be firmed up.

Any and all responses will be met with enthusiasm!

Hmmm...gotta figure out how to add a signature with some snappy quote to my profile.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

There is an adjustable rear ride height sensor. If you get a kit w/ rear coil springs, you have to remove the air bags entirely, and you lose auto load levelling. I personally wouldn't care because the air ride system used on this car is the classic drags-ass-once-it-starts-leaking system that Ford has had a love affair with over the past 20 years.

[FordNut]

Yes, the CVPI oil cooler will work, I put it on my car.

A larger tranny cooler isn't a bad idea. DR sells a kit.

I'm pleased with the air suspension. I've had Ford products with air suspension for about 17 years and have no complaints with the way it works or the reliability. Yes, the rear ride height is easily adjustable.

Naake/QA1 is the best option for shocks and coilover front springs. The Eibachs really have a negative effect on ride quality.

There are several drag racers using Zack/Mac control arms or Metco control arms, nobody has broken any mounts as far as I've heard.

To improve handling, look into Addco sway bars.

[Loco1234]

What does the CVPI oil cooler look like?
Does anyone have a picture handy?

this is the one im gonna try and use...
it's from a new escape w/ the 24v V6... I think a canadian one....

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o191/Loco4321/Engine/PIC-00351.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o191/Loco4321/Engine/PIC-00353.jpg

[racorcey]

Hello Everyone, now that I have the MM, I'm wondering about adding the engine oil cooler from a P71 to the MM. The thing I've loved about my P71s was the ultra-reliability, and longevity.

Just use Mobil 1 in the engine....it's all the extra engine cooling you'll ever need.

[Shora]

Yes, the CVPI oil cooler will work, I put it on my car.

Can you give us some details please?

Where does one buy one (part number and price).
How difficult of an install?
Benefits?
Cons?

Thanks.

[MitchB]

How are you going to plumb this into the cooling system? I think the P71 cooler will work better. For one thing, the P71 installs into the cool radiator return and should be able to reject more heat.

Mitch


What does the CVPI oil cooler look like?
Does anyone have a picture handy?

this is the one im gonna try and use...
it's from a new escape w/ the 24v V6... I think a canadian one....

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o191/Loco4321/Engine/PIC-00351.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o191/Loco4321/Engine/PIC-00353.jpg

[FordNut]

Can you give us some details please?

Where does one buy one (part number and price).
How difficult of an install?
Benefits?
Cons?

Thanks.

I don't have the part numbers any more, but Ray (TheDealer) can hook you up. Not particularly easy to install, but it can be done on jackstands if desired. It is an oil-water cooler. The way it works is to flow oil out of the block adapter through the cooler, which is located in the bottom radiator hose.

What you'll need:
Block adapter (the radiator hose, oil filter, oil pressure sender all attach to this, as well as the new oil cooler hoses)
Oil cooler for '03-'04 CVPI
Oil cooler bracket for '03-'04 CVPI
Hoses to connect between block adapter and cooler
Extension fitting or elbow to re-install the oil pressure sender
Maybe a few screws to mount up the bracket and connect the hoses

You'll have to cut a section out of the bottom radiator hose to install the cooler.

Price? expensive...

[MitchB]

The coolers and line are listed regularly on eBay. Do a search for oil cooler, Ford.

Mitch

[MitchB]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FACTORY-FORD-OIL-COOLER_W0QQitemZ290149278541QQ ihZ019QQcategoryZ46095QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Shora]

I don't have the part numbers any more, but Ray (TheDealer) can hook you up. Not particularly easy to install, but it can be done on jackstands if desired. It is an oil-water cooler. The way it works is to flow oil out of the block adapter through the cooler, which is located in the bottom radiator hose.

What you'll need:
Block adapter (the radiator hose, oil filter, oil pressure sender all attach to this, as well as the new oil cooler hoses)
Oil cooler for '03-'04 CVPI
Oil cooler bracket for '03-'04 CVPI
Hoses to connect between block adapter and cooler
Extension fitting or elbow to re-install the oil pressure sender
Maybe a few screws to mount up the bracket and connect the hoses

You'll have to cut a section out of the bottom radiator hose to install the cooler.

Price? expensive...

Wow, seems like a lot of work.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FACTORY-FORD-OIL-COOLER_W0QQitemZ290149278541QQ ihZ019QQcategoryZ46095QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for the search.

[Glenn]

The only really important cooling mod is for the transmission. The engine cooling and oil cooling is fine. The trans needs help even with a second cooler under any kind of hard driving.

Glenn

[gdmjoe]

Loco1234 - What does the CVPI oil cooler look like? Does anyone have a picture handy?
http://www.geocities.com/gdmjoe/oilcooler01.jpg

Part #s

3W7Z-6A642-AA - Engine Oil Cooler Assembly *Includes hose set
3W7Z-6A715-AA - Hose Set
F8AZ-6881-AA - Oil Filter Adapter *With Oil Cooler
F6AZ-6840-BA - Adapter Gasket *With Oil Cooler

[FordNut]

http://www.geocities.com/gdmjoe/oilcooler01.jpg

Part #s

3W7Z-6A642-AA - Engine Oil Cooler Assembly *Includes hose set
3W7Z-6A715-AA - Hose Set
F8AZ-6881-AA - Oil Filter Adapter *With Oil Cooler
F6AZ-6840-BA - Adapter Gasket *With Oil Cooler

Wow, a wealth of knowledge! Don't forget the bracket.

[larryo340]

When I was working for FORD I saw some of those coolers go bad. They all went bad the same way putting coolant into oil. If caught real quick you might not wash the bearings, we replaced a couple of engines for ones not caught quick:(.
I have been out of Hot Rodding for awhile, is there an air cooled oil cooler out there? I would think that is better.

[gdmjoe]

FordNut - Wow, a wealth of knowledge!
Have parts lists. Will respond :D

Don't forget the bracket.
It's included with the Engine Oil Cooler Assembly *zip-tied to it as a matter of fact.

[RCSignals]

looks like the one in the auction has a part number of 6W7Z-6A642-AA

[FordNut]

Have parts lists. Will respond :D

It's included with the Engine Oil Cooler Assembly *zip-tied to it as a matter of fact.

That is not the bracket that I used. The CVPI bracket bolts to the radiator support crossmember, then the cooler clips into place in the bracket. I believe the bracket that is tied to the one in the pic is a generic bracket, maybe for marine applications.

[Taemian]

When I was working for FORD I saw some of those coolers go bad. They all went bad the same way putting coolant into oil. If caught real quick you might not wash the bearings, we replaced a couple of engines for ones not caught quick:(.
I have been out of Hot Rodding for awhile, is there an air cooled oil cooler out there? I would think that is better.

Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard that. Did these coolers crack or something? I worked as a fleet mechanic for the RCMP (oops, Royal Candian Mounted Police for you Yanks :)) for 4 years many years ago and never saw that problem.

My thanks to everyone for the great replies!

I only use full synthetic in all our cars, (rear gear/Merc5/engine), but I hear alot about the tranny cooling for the MM. Is it possible to resize/replace the existing unit, or is a secondary cooler really helpful? I've considered a finned pan, but they seem big $$$ for the little effect they might add. I realize they are deeper/hold more fluid, and am wondering if THAT may actually be the greater benefit?

So Eibach springs crap out the ride? Then I'm not that interested, although I really do want to drop the car an inch or so....hmm.... I'm so very used to the P71 springs, though....I wonder if the two have equal spring rates? If so, I'd be ok with them.

I'll check out those Naake shocks, are they popular here, or just another choice? I'm so unaware of the MM aftermarket, as I never thought I'd own this car. As it happens, I now do own one, and I can't wait until it arrives at my door on the transporter!

[larryo340]

It was in the late '90s that I saw them fail, something internally failed causing coolant to mix with the oil. I would hope they have the bugs out by now. But I still think a external air cooled cooler would be better.

The deep finned trans pan will cool the trans fluid better as well as adding more capacity (think heat sink)


Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard that. Did these coolers crack or something? I worked as a fleet mechanic for the RCMP (oops, Royal Candian Mounted Police for you Yanks :)) for 4 years many years ago and never saw that problem.

My thanks to everyone for the great replies!

I only use full synthetic in all our cars, (rear gear/Merc5/engine), but I hear alot about the tranny cooling for the MM. Is it possible to resize/replace the existing unit, or is a secondary cooler really helpful? I've considered a finned pan, but they seem big $$$ for the little effect they might add. I realize they are deeper/hold more fluid, and am wondering if THAT may actually be the greater benefit?


So Eibach springs crap out the ride? Then I'm not that interested, although I really do want to drop the car an inch or so....hmm.... I'm so very used to the P71 springs, though....I wonder if the two have equal spring rates? If so, I'd be ok with them.

I'll check out those Naake shocks, are they popular here, or just another choice? I'm so unaware of the MM aftermarket, as I never thought I'd own this car. As it happens, I now do own one, and I can't wait until it arrives at my door on the transporter!

[RF Overlord]

It was in the late '90s that I saw them fail, something internally failed causing coolant to mix with the oil.There are O-rings between the coolant-carrying and the oil-carrying parts of the cooler. These used to fail with some regularity. Many of the guys on CVN have removed the oil coolers in their cars for this reason, as it's really not needed in normal street use.

Mixing oil with your coolant is no big deal, but mixing coolant with your oil will destroy the bearings in no time.