Well this thought process started with an odd restriction in a motor sport class I wanted to get into of no radiators... and when using a small block chevy, this thought sorta makes one uncomfortable... so i started imagining a bunch of unlikely ways to find loopholes, and this one is far fetched, and i wanted to see if anybody thought it would work even though i dont plan on doing it.

My question is, if one set it up like a radiator facing the front of the vehicle exposed to airflow, and used an electric fan, would an oil cooler be able to keep engine temperatures down?

My thoughts were in theory were yes and no, yes, since overheating causes oil thinning to the point the bearings arnt being lubbed, and no in that the heads will only be cooled by the run down of oil from the pushrods to lube the rockers, and would not stop them from warping.

as i said, this isnt really a serious thought, just wondered what your views on it were

 

The surface area would be adequate enough to at least extend the running period a little, but...

Flow is an issue, and I doubt it if would be much use to you, since the tubing is so small, therefore unable to produce any reasonable volume. Either way, it would still be a radiator.

 

My thought also.

 

no it wouldn't hence the reason the majority of vehicles have radiators AND oil coolers.

I'm sure the manufacturers would love to save the money of not having to put in a full cooling system..

 

therefore unable to produce any reasonable volume. Either way, it would still be a radiator.