DIY Network

Homemade Oil Cooler (Pt. 1 of 2) From "Classic Rides" episode DCLR-103

Bill "Dunk" Dunkelberger (left) joins host Kevin Tetz to explain why it's important to have cooler oil running through the engine of the project '65 Electra Glide.

In the first two segments host Kevin Tetz flushed out the oil tank and created a magnetic drain plug for DIY's project 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide. Expert mechanic Bill "Dunk" Dunkelberger joins him this segment and next to demonstrate how to create unique integrated homemade oil cooler with the engine guard.

Note: The engine cooling system is the oil that runs through the engine. Cooler oil and cooler engine = better performance.

Why Would You Want an Engine Cooling System? -- According to Dunk, "in these old motors we had a combination of aluminum steel and aluminum. And, of course, we all know that steel holds heat more than aluminum. It doesn't dissipate the hat as fast, so we want to put cooler oil into the motor to keep the motor cooler."

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Homemade Oil Cooler

• First use a center-punch to create starting spots for the drill bit at both ends of the engine-guard tube.

• Use a small drill bit to start the holes (figure A).

• Move to a larger drill bit and make holes large enough for the pipe tap threader.

• Go ahead and tap using a "tapered pipe thread" (figure B). Tapered thread grows as it gets further down the pitch.

  Dunk's Tip: Take your time when using the tapered pipe thread. And you want to go approximately half the tap and not hit bottom.

  Note: There could be condensation dripping from the engine guard tube, which will be blown out later with compressed air.

• With the threads tapped, do a dry run to check the fit.

• Use compressed air to blow out any moisture and debris.

• Use Teflon tape to seal the fitting of the metal threads, and then install the oil-line fitting again with tape to complete the seal (figure C). Make sure the fitting is snug.

• Remove the foot pegs, exhaust pipe, voltage regulator and battery bracket to get to the oil lines.

Note: Kevin and Dunk are going to install new oil lines to the homemade cooler, which is why the above parts have to be removed.

Tip: As always, label all parts as you remove them and keep them in a safe place.

In the final segment Kevin and Dunk work on the oil lines.

RESOURCES :

Dremel Tools
Website: www.dremel.com

Eazyrizer Big Blue Motorcycle Lift (Driven Gear)
Driven Gear Inc.
Website: www.drivengear.com

RaceDeck Modular Flooring (SnapLock Industries)
SnapLock Industries
Website: www.racedeck.com

Restoration Parts (Custom Chrome)
Custom Chrome
Website: www.customchrome.com

Performance Carburetor, Camshaft and Other Restoration Parts (S & S Cycle Inc.)
S & S Cycle Inc.
Website: www.sycycle.com

GUESTS :

William "Dunk" Dunkelberger
Restoration Coordinator / Mechanic
Harrly Hoggs & Piggletts
1409 Piney Rd.
Maryville, TN 37803
Phone: 865-681-7699
E-mail: hoggsandpiggletts@yahoo.com