Oil Cooler on 1938 Super 8

Posted by scott12180 On 2015/8/27 14:45:41

Hi All --- First post with a new car, 1938 1603 Sedan. I bought the car with a blown headgasket and am in the process of replacing that. So far the block does not appear to be cracked.

I've heard that the oil coolers were a problem, but I've also heard that this applies mostly to the 1934 models. By 1938 they were pretty robust. Do you guys agree?

The previous owner of my car found coolant in the oil when he changed it prior to my ownership. I figure that was probably due to the bad head gasket, but it makes me wonder about the oil cooler.

Should I by-pass the cooler as a matter of course? Is it necessary? Because they run in series, a friend with a 1934 bypassed the oil filter and the cooler by blocking off their ports at the engine base. I could do that, I suppose. Would there be any harm in doing that? Aside from not having an oil filter?

Thanks ---
Scott