Oil cooler mounting & hose routing

[dbo_texas]

I'm mounting an oil cooler to run my power steering through (mostly for aesthetic reasons but figured I'd use the cooler). I have some questions about how to mount the cooler and route the hoses.

How do you actually mount the cooler in the nose opening? Can anyone share some close up pictures of how the cooler mounts in the nose opening using the stock FFR aluminum? I'm planning to use those panels vs. the Replicaparts nose cone. I'm assuming I can't really mock this up with the actual cooler until the body is installed? Is it possible to just clamp that lower aluminum panel in place and mount the cooler to it for the purposes of mocking this up? If so, anyone have measurements how far from the leading edge of the sheet metal I'd need to mount the oil cooler to avoid hitting the body?
For routing the hoses, I don't have my body mounted and likely won't for a while. But I want to get all the PS hoses made and hooked up. I have a KRC Coyote PS setup with a hydroboost so it's a bit of a complicated PS setup. I've got all the hoses made except for the two 10AN lines running to the oil cooler. What's the best way to determine the hose lengths I need to make without the body on? Is this a dumb idea, and should I just bypass the oil cooler for now and add it once I have the body installed?
For hose routing, since I don't have the body on or any aluminum panels in the nose area yet (the ones FFR provides or the nose piece from Replicaparts), I'm having a hard time visualizing how to route those 10AN hoses from the cooler off to the sides. I'm basically trying to replicate this look that Lidodrip has HERE (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=190330&d=1695348194). Any tips/advice on this? Again, pictures would be helpful if people can post some ideas or closeups. This ties in with question #2 - I'm trying to mock this up so I can figure out my hose length on each side. Also, do you just drill a hole through the panels and put in a grommet, then run the hoses through?

[Rebostar]

I installed the oil cooler per the build instructions as far as physical mounting goes with a couple of exceptions. I bonded on 3ea 1/4-20 x 1/2" studs when I had the body on for fitting the panels and doors. I also made a clone of the mounting panel from FFR out of 18ga steel for added strenth. I made slots in the front lip of the panel that would attach it to the previously installed studs rather than pop rivit it to the front body opening upper lip. (that would look like crap) The back edge of the panel is attached to the lower flange of the radiator with screws and tinnerman nuts. The oil cooler is mounted to the panel per FFR except for 3/4"diameter x 1/2" high spacers between the cooler flange and the steel panel I made. The pics below show two AN10 hoses routed differently. I used the black layout. I got all the AN fittings from Summit or NAPA.
You can duplicate this without installing the body if you dont cut the slots in the panel untill after you bond on the mounting studs. You want the cooler mounted as far aft as possible so it wont hit the lower body.
Hope this helps'
Allyn

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[F500guy]

I am doing like Allyn, measure twice and as close to the radiator as possible, don't be like me and have to make a new lower panel...:(

[TTimmy]

One very important aspect to consider is a thermostat to prevent oil from circulating to the cooler while it is under temperature. Look at Earl’s and Derale for some good options for a thermostat. You don’t want oil circulating to the cooler hole it’s under temperature.

I totally agree they look cool!

[dbo_texas]

I found the FFR oil cooler kit instructions. I didn't even know they offered that as an option. The instructions are very helpful in terms of locating the oil cooler on the stock FFR radiator aluminum. I’m not so sure about the hose routing to the side panels. Seems like they have it really low on the panel and I want the hoses to route a little higher but I should be able to figure this out.

As far as the thermostat comment can you elaborate on why that is needed? As I mentioned I'm using this for power steering not engine oil....does that thermostat comment still apply?

[Rebostar]

I found the FFR oil cooler kit instructions. I didn't even know they offered that as an option. The instructions are very helpful in terms of locating the oil cooler on the stock FFR radiator aluminum. I’m not so sure about the hose routing to the side panels. Seems like they have it really low on the panel and I want the hoses to route a little higher but I should be able to figure this out.

As far as the thermostat comment can you elaborate on why that is needed? As I mentioned I'm using this for power steering not engine oil....does that thermostat comment still apply?

You can buy the AN-10 fitting in various angles, 30', 45', 60', & 90'. Get a set you want, then you can install a "bulkhead" fitting where you want them. The different angles will raise or lower where the hose goes through the side panels. I started out with 30' angle fittings (silver) but changed to 90' (black) for a cleaner look. See pics above.

[TTimmy]

As far as the thermostat comment can you elaborate on why that is needed? As I mentioned I'm using this for power steering not engine oil....does that thermostat comment still apply?

The thermostat applies to an engine oil cooler. I don’t think it’s necessary for power steering. Sorry I misunderstood.

[rich grsc]

Why AN-10 hoses? Twice the size needed, and 4x the cost, normally AN-6

[Rebostar]

Why AN-10 hoses? Twice the size needed, and 4x the cost, normally AN-6

AN-10 for the Oil Cooler in my build. Thats what they take. I'm sure when installing the cooler for a power steering application the fittings can be reduced to what ever size he wants to use in his power steering system.

[rich grsc]

Like most everything, the hoses should be sized appropriately to the fluid flow and the intended usage

[Papa]

Here is what I drew up for what you are trying to do:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=185378&d=1685899969

Mine isn't functional, just liked the look.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=184964&d=1685149580

[dbo_texas]

Thanks this image helps. My plumbing is a lot more complicated than this because of the hydroboost in my setup. I've got it all figured out, and for Rich the reason I went with 10AN lines is because they look a whole lot better than the 6AN lines. And, with hydroboost I'm merging the return from the hydroboost + return from rack into the oil cooler input side. So I figured with two 6AN lines merging to one, a 10AN line is more appropriate. Turns a lot of other folks on here run 10AN for this as well.

Anyhow, right now I'm leaning towards not routing the hoses through the radiator side aluminum panels. Instead, I think I can just run it up to the top of the radiator. There's about a 1" x 2" opening near the upper corners near the 3/4" frame. So I think I'll pass the hoses through there. It would be something like this. I don't know...I'll give the bulkhead connections some additional thought but I'd hate to add a bunch more connectors than I already bought. As Rich mentioned, they aren't cheap.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=209644&d=1737948526

And here is what my plumbing will look like:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=204804&d=1728076316

[rich grsc]

That should be fine. I was thinking you planned on AN-10 for all the lines.