Oil Cooler Hook Up Question

[79XS11F]

OK I have a Lochead oil cooler that I got on e-Bay .. likely from someone on this board. My bike dose not have the additional plate between the filter and the bottom engine case and there is also no room above my headers for one. On my original 78 XS11 I hooked up the same cooler and it went between the top case to head oil supply line by way of rubber hoses. I didn't like the rubber hoses and want to hook this one up by solid copper lines that run up and over the engine in the frame work.
QUESTIONS:
- Is there any issue with hooking up the cooler upside down? The in and out nipples are best facing up for my planned install.
- Does it matter in what orientation the bypass switch is hooked up? I want it close to the back side of the head, up in the frame work.
- Should I use 3/8 inch copper lines as was the case with rubber lines or should I use the same size lines as are currently used between the block to head?

Rob

[randy]

Rob,

Suggest that you use rubber or SS braided lines. The solid copper may sound like a 'cool' idea, but they won't last long. The engine is mounted in rubber isolators that allow it to flex in the frame. If the cooler lines don't flex along with the engine, eventually they'll crack.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Rob,

WIth regards to the position of the cooler and the inlet/outlet lines, I think it depends on where the lines open up inside the cooler! It's a radiator, and like on cars, the inlet line is near the top, and outlet near the bottom, so that the hot water can flow from top THRU the lines via gravity down to the bottom getting cooled along the way.

However, the oil is much more viscous, and perhaps the cooler isn't necessarily a gravity path, but merely a pressure patch ACROSS the cooler, and so it might not depend on whether it's upside down or not?!

Perhaps you can do a search on Lockhart coolers and see if you can find any install instructions for other coolers and whether they stated if position is important or not!?
T.C.

[79XS11F]

I did a Internet search and could only find resellers. I'm "guessing" that it would not matter but want to be sure.


OK flexible braided lines sounds good between the motor and the heat activation switch or go with the tubing throughout but there's not a lot of room in the frame work for lines so I wanted smaller DIA. No doubt the rubber lines with hose clamps is the fastest and easiest hook up.
Rob

[motoman]

Hey there 79xs11F, I,m with T.C.....don't believe position in this case matters. What matters is absolutley don't use copper lines unless you plan on doing a couple circle loops in each to absorb vibration. Don't think you have the room to do this with this application. Your best bet is to use Areo-equip or a simolar stainless line.

[mro]

To tube?......or not to tube?.......

Could run tubing with out problems, but first/last few inches connect with hose to accomadate vibration etc...

mro

[HobbyMan]

Remember, the more connections you have, the more potential for leaking.

[50gary]

In and outlets should point upward. The cooler and the lines will drain on shut-off. Then on re-start it will take longer to pump the oil to refill the cooler and lines. This will result in a momentary lack of oil on start up. This is from the Australian XS650 site.
Cheers, 50gary http://www.xs650.org.au/tech3.html

[79XS11F]

Originally posted by 50gary
In and outlets should point upward. The cooler and the lines will drain on shut-off. Then on re-start it will take longer to pump the oil to refill the cooler and lines. This will result in a momentary lack of oil on start up. This is from the Australian XS650 site.
Cheers, 50gary http://www.xs650.org.au/tech3.html

Well that was my own thinking on this. From what I understand when the cooler is hooked up in the normal configuration the in and out nipples face down but there is a one way valve in the system to prevent the cooler from draining. So for my set up with the supply and return lines up in the frame I need the in and put nipples facing up so this works out well. I will have to look at the costs of the various options for what the lines will be made of. I may go solid copper from activation unit to cooler and back and rubber from cases to activation unit , activation unit to head.
Rob

[50gary]

Stainless steel lines are excellent and they give "the look"
Nearly any configuration is available in many different bends 90s 180s, 45s etc. anodized fittings very nice.
Cheers, 50gary

[79XS11F]

Yes I will look into that as well. I guess I need to hit the local auto supply shop and see what available and at what costs.
Rob

[Yahman]

Oil cooler hookup dilema...

Well I have the same problem as 79XS11F, being that I have no room for an oil cooler adapter plate. With that in mind I was wondering if hooking up an oil cooler between the top case to head oil supply line has worked? Was there any problems with pressure or oil supply to the cylinder head? This is not my first choice for hooking it up but I see no other option.

Thanks,
Larry

[79XS11F]

That's the way to go. Many after market coolers were designed to hook up that way. I have however, always wondered if the oil in the cooler was flowing back to the sump when the engine was turned off. Most of those kits did not include check valves.
Rob

[trbig]

It would just seem to me that you would want equal or smaller lines for the oil cooler coming off of this point. If you had a larger diameter line, it would make an easier path to go that way versus up to your head to lube the cam journals.

Just a thought.

Tod