Reply to "Normal Oil Temp"

First, how fast are you driving? In most Panteras, oil temp and water temp will stay within a few degrees of each other (assuming accurate gauges), up to maybe 120mph, where water temp will remain at about 190-210 while oil temp will begin to climb up to perhaps 275 degrees F. Even with synthetic oil, at that temp you are at the edge of engine failure. So umless you venture into such speeds often, a Pantera doesn't need an oil cooler IMHO. Second, what hook-up do you have from block to the oil cooler? If its a 'bypass cooler' where only a part of the oil is routed throu a cooler, your results will be about like mine- worthless. IMHO, the only method worth hauling around in your car is a full-flow cooler, with 3/4" ID or larger oil lines. And the only oil cooler type I've seen work on a Pantera is a water-to-oil cooler, not an air-to-oil cooler, unless you've done some serious bodywork so full ram air goes through the cooler unimpeded. Stuck in a wheelwell, under the car with a scoop, mounted up in the rear window area- none get the airflow needed to remove more than a few degrees of heat. And using a water-to-oil cooler presumes you have a big enough radiator up there to absolrb the extra heat exchanged from such a cooler. The stock radiator certainly won't. Finally, only a few degrees too much total ignition timing will quickly raise both water & oil temps above 'normal. Most street 351-Cs on todays gas run best with 34-36 degrees total timing.