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Alec
04-25-2023, 01:06 PM
I'm mounting an earls sandwich oil thermostat and an earls cooler (from Forte) on my windsor block. I have some questions on installation and plumbing.
1- when I remove the filter to add the thermostat will I lose (and need to replace) much/any oil?
2 - How much hose length - is 10ft enough or should I order 20 (for both lines); -10an all around.
3- What type of hose is best? CPE braided steel (fuel) lines from Amazon ok? I used PTFE lined -6an for my entire fuel system and power steering and have no leaks, so i am comfortable making those hose ends. I'm thinking black nylon covered will look good and provide contrast, in front of the aluminum radiator.
4- The hoses will pass through grommets in the aluminum on each side of the nose opening. Will they also need additional anchor points inside the bay? If so I will want to order some nice-looking mounts that match the hose OD. And if so, to what do people mount them? THe x-members and the 4" cross tube seem like good spots.
5 - I have an oil pressure sender extension (several inches long) coming off the block next to the filter mount. Will I have interference and if so is there an easy solution?
6- Can I mount the 3 nose aluminum panels and then install/mount the oil cooler and lines before I fit the body or would it be better to just install all of this later after the body is on?

Post some pics of your installations if you have them. Thanks!

steno
04-25-2023, 09:00 PM
For the oil pressure sender, I used a 45 degree street elbow and screwed the sender into it. Nice and tight!

F500guy
04-25-2023, 11:08 PM
I purchased the kit from Breeze, it has 10 ft and I think he added additional foot because I have the mechanical fuel pump. I did not even look at the type of hose, seems either will work fine, I have a preference for PTFE as long as the radius is not to tight.

Ted G
04-26-2023, 12:12 AM
10 feet should be plenty.

I think you need to add the aluminum AFTER your body is on... therefore, you'll need to do this all after the body goes on.

I'm using PTFE SS Braided.

CraigS
04-26-2023, 07:45 AM
I agree 10ft 'should' be plenty but I'd order 12. As you know from your fuel line install the hose is stiff and the ptfe is stiffer. -10 is much stiffer than -6. Sometimes an extra ft of hose can make all the difference in a nice easy curve vs a tighter somewhat forced curve. I'd wait on the hose mounts until after the hose is installed. You can do temporary w/ wire ties and then, once you see exactly where they need to be, you can choose from the 100s of mounts available. Be sure to pay extra for the type of hose ends that the hose can still swivel after the end is tightened to the sandwich or cooler. The hose always has some amount of memory of being curved on a reel, and it being able to swivel makes it easier to route. I agree w/ Ted, install after the body is on. Usually the aluminum needs some trimming to get a nice fit inside the fiberglass so it's position won't be finalized until the body is on. One of the few things other than bolts nuts and washers you can buy at HD or L is fittings for the pressure sender. It's all standard pipe thread so you won't have any problem coming up w/ what you need. The oil you lose from the filter will be 1/2qt maybe. But you also need a qt or 2 to fill the cooler and hoses so I'd have 2-3qt on hand.