Lenco came through so far. Getting the oil cooler from them. They have to make it up. They found the drawing in their files . They made most of the stuff for J & T , it turns out, which I did not know. ALL of my coolers are original I.M.O. Guy at Lenco said 7 or so years is the average life span of said cooler. Hmmm? Well after a closer visual inspection of my stuff, my fuel coolers are looking spooky. So I'm going all in BEFORE they leak water into my oil and fuel. I'm replacing them all. Both fuel and the supplementary oil coolers. My main oil coolers are Detroit Diesel units , kind of with in the engine so to speak, for both the motor and I think the Twin Disc also. Nothing mounted on or near the clutch. I may get them by this Friday. Will see. Thank you all for your help. Now who wants to help me put them in?
Sounds like a good call on replacing them all. I don't know about the 7 year life expectancy, that seems like a pretty short life span. Nonetheless, I assure you, rebuilding my trans after my gear oil cooler leak was way more expensive than if I had replaced all my coolers!! You gotta love how the more costly lessons stay with us for life
My thoughts exactly plus finding a good mechanic in my area is hard to come by for Detroit diesels. I am slowly becoming my own mechanic. I can handle changing out coolers that’s an easy job compared to a complete engine teardown and rebuild. I thought seven years was a little short but there in the cooler business if it was me I’d be telling everyone five years! lol that being said I just tapped down the crack with my hammer and put some JB Weld on it going to try and get one more weekend out of everything on a short trip across Delaware Bay to Lewes Delaware for the weekend ! Think I can squeeze another 6 or so hours out of everything. The crack is on the outside which leaks oil out. All water sides/tubes not leaking any water with in or out . I will give it a quick sea trial the day before and see how things go at operating temperature and pressure’s. All I do is work on the boat...it sure is nice to use it.
I’m pretty good at starting a post for help and or info, and not following up. Here’s what I’ve done. Lenco/Sagara made and still makes the coolers for Johnson & Towers -FYI. I spoke to Jesse at Lenco who helped me out , found my cooler drawing in his files. I ordered both fuel coolers and the supplementary oil coolers from him on a Monday, and got them five days later, Friday. They were not in stock and they were made up for me. Excellent turnaround time and was quoted a fair price. It’s a work weekend holiday for me on the boat oil coolers are in and they are working just fine and fit perfectly now I’m changing out the original fuel coolers. They match up as well.
All good ! Working just fine. Well worth the piece of mind . Again I’m quite sure they were originals . Great motor month for Old Cleanslate. Let’s see , I never did tell you about my Annapolis trip this April, broke the belt driven water pump..bearing went. Came home on one motor... Change both of them out. Big old Jabsco units . Both vintage. Along with the various coolers... I billed myself( I’m a DIY); parts and labor for all above ...$10k ? Would you say? If I had a competent yard do it ? Or more? Oh yeah , got a leaking starboard fuel pump to replace tomorrow. Captain Ralph has been a huge help on this . Thanks Ralph. Or is that Professor DD Ralph!