Harley Oil Cooler Kit
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 93
From: Center of Kalifornia
I just installed a HD Premium Oil Cooler last weekend. I have a 95" motor with 204 cams. My bike would run from 225 to 245 in the winter and 250 to 270 in the summer. Way too hot. And yes, I have always used Synthetic oil. I also ride about 12,000 miles a year. After reading the article in AIM I decided that an Oil Cooler was a good Idea to help extend the life of my motor. After riding 200 miles with the new oil cooler last weekend the hottest my bike got (in 85 degree weather)was 215!!!Much better.
Harley Davidson will have to make the same decision Porsche did back in 1998 and go water cooled very soon to meet the ever increasing EPA emissions standards. So I want to protect and preserve my air cooled Twin Cam.
The installation was simple but they should have mentioned the very odd 7/16 size Hex nut required!
Harley Davidson will have to make the same decision Porsche did back in 1998 and go water cooled very soon to meet the ever increasing EPA emissions standards. So I want to protect and preserve my air cooled Twin Cam.
The installation was simple but they should have mentioned the very odd 7/16 size Hex nut required!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 11
From: Longview, Washington
What I like most about having the HD Oil Cooler or any cooler is that you can actually see a drop in oil temp when you start moving again after stop and go. Max temp on 90 degree days are 220 if that and I see a quick 5 degree drop on the oil temp gauge if temps do rise.
Before installing a cooler once the oil temps rose it was impossible to reduce temps even after increasing speed/air flow. The only way to reduce temps was to shut down and let it cool.
I strongly recommend oil coolers.
Before installing a cooler once the oil temps rose it was impossible to reduce temps even after increasing speed/air flow. The only way to reduce temps was to shut down and let it cool.
I strongly recommend oil coolers.
The reason I got a cooler was because I got stuck in traffic after pushing the bike hard at 80 in the California desert. My oil temp rose from 250 to over 300 in 10 minutes. That's when the rear cylinder base O-ring started leaking. ouch! Had to have the motor torn down and both cylinder O-rings changed at around 4000 miles.
Not a single issue since installing the cooler.
BTW, I've sent two emails to Donny Peterson on this subject. Wanna know what he said?
"Heat will be the downfall of the Twin Cam."
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
The last time I checked, this was a "forum", where members are entitled to express their views. On the other hand, the guidlines are quite clear, regarding the posting of abrasive comments regarding other members. You are entitled to your opinions and I am entitled to mine.
And lastly, realizing that the MOCO has an extremely sophisticated engine research and development program, I would have to favor their specs and recommendations over any individuals "backyard" engineering.
And lastly, realizing that the MOCO has an extremely sophisticated engine research and development program, I would have to favor their specs and recommendations over any individuals "backyard" engineering.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I agree with AI magazine that all TC motors should have an oil cooler. Like the OP I also nixed the chrome cover for two reasons. First, that big chrome thing calls attention to a part of the engine that doesn't need attention. Second, I felt that it might hinder cooling by convection when the bike was stopped.
I took another step partially to help with stationary cooling and partially to satisfy my longing to jury-rig and experiment. I have two fans installed inside the cooler, and although they don't stop oil-temp from climbing while stationary they do slow it down, which IMO makes them worthwhile. I wrote up the fabrication here.
The ACC switch on the left (bottom pic) is the switch that controls the fans. So far so good on these Panasonic Panflos, which survived their first summer of heat and water without dying. I do not operate the fans unless conditions are dry, as they are not waterproof.
I would advise anyone installing a cooler to also include a thermostat. These air-cooled engines take long enough to warm-up, especially in winter, and cooling cold oil doesn't help. If you don't install a t'stat, use a cover to keep the air off the cooler when the air-temps are not hot.
I took another step partially to help with stationary cooling and partially to satisfy my longing to jury-rig and experiment. I have two fans installed inside the cooler, and although they don't stop oil-temp from climbing while stationary they do slow it down, which IMO makes them worthwhile. I wrote up the fabrication here.
The ACC switch on the left (bottom pic) is the switch that controls the fans. So far so good on these Panasonic Panflos, which survived their first summer of heat and water without dying. I do not operate the fans unless conditions are dry, as they are not waterproof.
I would advise anyone installing a cooler to also include a thermostat. These air-cooled engines take long enough to warm-up, especially in winter, and cooling cold oil doesn't help. If you don't install a t'stat, use a cover to keep the air off the cooler when the air-temps are not hot.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
One might also consider using another thermo switch to detect when the oil temp reises to a certain temp, say 200 or 210 degrees. This extra thermo switch could then start the fans automatically. This is my approach.
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