Is it essential to run an oil cooler with a 1275 motor, or is it just a racing mod???

I'm pretty sure it's just a racing mod... if you're running just a standard 1275 with only light modding theres no need for an oil cooler.

Oil cooler is good in 2 instances-
Track work, or extended freeway running.

Both these things heat the oil up a lot. But if it's a town car for general thrashing about, I wouldn't bother. I have a cooler on Ha-Ha, and none on Barney.
Ha-Ha ran for 2 months without it, it made no difference to running temp around town when I recently put it back on.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

it makes a big difference when i split a hose i removed mine for abit and it ran very hot

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FOR SALE MInidlx, 1293, GR head, RE-13, GR worked Redline Manifold, 45 mm DCOE,pulsar dizzy , "S" Disc's, Mk II "S" box, 3.65 diff. Minator 10X6's On the loose

Yeah trackwork and highway driving heat up the oil a bit. On my mild 1100 the pressure will drop as the oil thins and the gearchange can get crappy. Around town this never seems to happen like Kev said.

Not essential if you have a good cooling system, tight bearings and are using really good, clean oil!!

The Oil Cooler was fitted as standard to Cooper S models....so calling it a racing "mod" is a little wrong...

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"Show me the Mini!"

Yeah OK, so it was a factory `mod' for racing then.
Their contribution to engine cooling is pretty negligible....

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I think back in they day they had higher value because the monograde oils werent so good and thinned significantly compared with out modern multigrades of today.
Mick- arent tight bearing clearances a bad thing on a hot motor? they cause bearings to seise and spin from memory due to increased thermal expansion from excess heat. Wouldnt this mean an oil cooler would be a good insurance? im not sure i might be wrong...

Oils these days are getting better and better, in my opinion you don?t need oil coolers for 1275cc streetcars, but on the track for sure.

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Hah..this threads rambling "all over the show" (as Bazza used to say)

I thnk you are right Chris....oils werent oils back in the 1960s....a lot of development has gone into them in the intervening years. So yes, the value of the cooler in keeping the temp down and providing a little more volume and circulation would have been an advantage back then (and for production racing too Doc!!).

Don't forget also the advances in radiator coolants and the way they can now help an engine run cooler....a lot of people back then would just have been using plain old water and some soluble oil! (supposedly to lubricate the old fashioned water pumps on cars that were around then).

Tight Bearings....I meant, as opposed to, totally stuffed bearings showing base metal in a road car (go back to the original question).....maybe I should have said good bearings or new bearings (noooo they are tight!!). Racing clearances can be more genereous because everything is usually been trued up and balanced.

Wot ya doing this weekend? I would like to come over and quickly check out 850 door sills

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"Show me the Mini!"

i have a 1293 that does mostly high speed driving (100km/h average) and during summer it can get upto 40 deg ambient and above. would a oil cooler help in any way. eg reducing engine temp. increasing life etc... also any idea on cost of buying one, and what is needed to fit one.

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