Oil Cooler O-Ring/Gaskets Replacement

[Quickhorse]

Well, I am going to attempt to throw the truck up on my lift tonight and replace all 4 O-rings and the gaskets since she is pissing a little more than acceptable now. I will post back on how it went and hopefully take some pics of the job. I am just hoping that it's just the O-rings cuz it looks like the cooler is rusted out and it is weeping through but I am betting it's just the O-rings.

[Jarrod B]

post pics and have fun

its a pita btw

[Quickhorse]

*CLICK ON PICS AND THEY WILL ENLARGE*


Drained antifreeze . . .





Took block heater cord off and oil filter . . .



There are two bolts up front and two in the rear mount. Once you get them out it would be a good idea to get ready for an antifreeze bath b/c when you pull the oil cooler off the block all the antifreeze comes rushing out the engine and onto you.

Mine was actually leaking from a rusted through pin-hole in the main tube so I ground the whole thing down and welded that one spot then coated it in a nice layer of copper high heat rtv . . .



New O-rings installed . . . I used a rubber mallet by the way to separate the ends from the cooler tube. You might need to soak the ends in PB Blaster or some used oil first. One of the ends came off easy for me the end w/the filter on it however was a pita! I didn't want to put mine in a vise and risk crushing the tube so depending on what shape your's is in there are various ways to take the ends off the cooler tube.

I lubed up the 4 O-rings with synthetic grease and cleaned out the end caps b/c there was a ridge of gunk left on there from the old O-rings. The block and mating surfaces of the end caps I used a brillo pad and scraper on to clean back up. DO NOT USE A GRINDER!

[Quickhorse]

I used tie-wire and snugged up the ends back onto the cooler tube and lined up the "marks" I had previously marked when I took it apart. Then I used a telescopic jack to compress the two ends back onto the cooler tube.




There are a number of ways I'm sure you could do this but in my case I used the weight of the truck and a telescopic jack to push the two ends over the o-rings and back together. Don't worry about lining up the two mounts b/c you can twist them once they are on over the o-rings. Just be sure you marked them when you pulled the tube off the truck so you know which end goes where.





Gaskets and seals from ford w/my discount were $54. Not sure but they are probably $70 or something normally. It's still better than $270 for a new oil cooler.



All in all the project went well and I didn't have any problems that I couldn't handle. I would say to those that have one that is as rusted as mine was from plowing and what not to make sure you grind down the rust and use a pic to check for soft spots . . . then weld those . . . and coat tube in either high heat paint or in my case high heat rtv.

Hope the pics help someone in the future!

-Nate

[Jarrod B]

that is one nice shop i dont remember what i paid for the parts. i purchased the rings, gaskets, and the main tube.

the one thing i hate the most is the anifreeze. taking a bath in it SUCKS. cant get that smell of what so ever.


so is it all put back together? and no leaks?

[Quickhorse]

Originally Posted by bockhold

that is one nice shop i dont remember what i paid for the parts. i purchased the rings, gaskets, and the main tube.

the one thing i hate the most is the anifreeze. taking a bath in it SUCKS. cant get that smell of what so ever.


so is it all put back together? and no leaks?

Yup . . . got it all done last night! No leaks . . . Noticed the front main engine seal leaking also but that one can keep on leaking . . . lol

[Jarrod B]

Originally Posted by Quickhorse

Yup . . . got it all done last night! No leaks . . . Noticed the front main engine seal leaking also but that one can keep on leaking . . . lol

does that require the pan to be dropped?

[Quickhorse]

Originally Posted by bockhold

does that require the pan to be dropped?

Yes, but not pulled out just dropped down. Of coarse if I went through that much trouble I would replace the pan while I was at it also b/c of rust. Or media blast mine and have it sealed and rino-lined!

[Jarrod B]

Originally Posted by Quickhorse

Yes, but not pulled out just dropped down. Of coarse if I went through that much trouble I would replace the pan while I was at it also b/c of rust. Or media blast mine and have it sealed and rino-lined!

that would be hard just to drop it while still in the truck. way too many bolts to put back on in a tight space.

whats media blast?

[Quickhorse]

Originally Posted by bockhold

that would be hard just to drop it while still in the truck. way too many bolts to put back on in a tight space.

whats media blast?

Same as sand blasting just a different granule. This is what they use on older vehicles for a full body off restoration. It helps to find all the "bad" rust spots and imperfections in the metal.