From another thread on another forum:
quote:How many oil folks would recommend an oil temp of 220 degree, or recommend a cooler when the oil temps are above 230-250 degrees? I'm getting ready to respond to this guys post and just want to know your take on it.
Just finished installing my mechanical Oil Temp gauge and wanted to pass along the numbers just incase anyone is interested... Drove for about 20 miles after the install in 98* Southern California and the absolute hottest it got was 192*. Drove 18 miles to work this morning at 65* and it barely hit 170*. Cooled down to 160* in traffic. Took like 7-8 miles at highway speeds just to start showing on the gauge. I thought my gauge was stuck at first. Oil also cools off in traffic and gets warmer at highway speeds or under loads. What does this mean...This means that's waaaay too cool for oil. Engine oil is the one fluid you do NOT want as cool as you can keep it. Ford definately built an efficient set up that's for sure. I definately wouldn't hurt to do without the water/oil cooler that comes on these. I have a '91 Mustang road race car and I usually see temps around 220 on the street and 235-240 on the track. That's good. If you ask alot of guys at the track or engine builders (even talked to Fluidyne) and they will all tell you oil should be at least 212* Sound familiar? Oil needs to be this warm to keep moisture out of it to prevent sludge and other stuff from building. Everyone I have ever talked to has told me this about oil temps. Fluidyne wouldn't even recommend a cooler until my temps were over 230-250*. I would like to see around 220 (200+ at a minimum) on the gauge on this thing but don't think it's going to happen. If anyone was thinking about an oil cooler...forget it. If anything, these trucks need an oil heater. With a system that's this efficient, I can't imagine it ever getting even remotely close to requiring a cooler. Not even towing a load in the mountains or anything.