hi all,
i installed an oil cooler set up in my 86 non turbo 245 because it runs a little too hot in the texas heat, humidity and traffic.

it's a custom set up, nothing different than others installing an oil cooler in their cars, but a lot more involved than i thought.

i used a volvo oil cooler from a turbo and a t-stat sandwich plate, ebay ss hoses, internet fittings, local custom fabbed ss tubing, custom made aluminum mounting hardware.

some of the difficulties
1) had been getting the oil filter threaded nipple off, which i did finally using a 14 inch pipe wrench. i tried using 2 nuts, and an extractor, but didn't work. after pulling off the nipple, i noticed a bunch of varnish built up over the years on the threads and inside the pipe.

this was the most important point, using a pipe wrench pretty much destroyed the threads, and there was no turning back. it was bb members who gave me the sage advice of doing the job right. thanks to all the bb responses. i used their advise which was successful.

2) another problem is getting the connections tight enough for it not leaking. 2nd day of tightening them--only dripping this time.

3) everything about volvo oil coolers are metric. i converted the connections to 8 an fittings and 1/2 in tube and hoses (which is close to the 12 mm ss tube used in volvo turbos) and much more readily available.

4) more job-specific tools needed, such as a 29 mm socket, pipe wrench, 1/2 inch universal joint.

overall, i consider it a success because my oil temp is well temp-regulated. noticed it today when i was driving home--it's like the oil temp hit a brick wall and cooled off. The sandwich plate is a 1987, 95 deg C type.

if anyone wants/needs information/photos, experience on how and what i did, i will gladly provide them to you.

regards,
byron golden
86 245
92 245