RPM Oil Cooler Done, Headers Done.

[X-Ray]

Been a busy few days trying to get some jobs done before our Aussie Rally, main ones being Randys Oil Cooler Mod, and getting the headers ceramic coated.  The oil cooler was fairly easy to install, only thing I had to double check was how much to tighten the fittings. I did them up finger tight, then tightened them by 1 "across the flat" width further. I looked up a website covering A/N fittings, and they described this as being a reliable way not to over tighten. Worked well.

I was going to repaint the headers black again, but looked into something more permanent, and ceramic coating was the answer. Competition Coatings in Brisbane removed all the carbon buildup inside the headers and sprayed the full length of each tube internally, and of course externally. The 4 header collars I had done in a ceramic black coating. Could have sprayed them myself with paint but was only a piddly amount extra to have them done at the same time. While all this was going on it was time to tidy up the engine with an "in frame" spray job with VHT Engine Enamel, Gloss Black. Painting while in the frame is never the best way, but a full tear down is on the cards later on. Now heres hoping the rain finally fecks off for a while, so we can get to our Aussie Rally next week in some of that stuff called "sunshine", haven't seen it for ages,    

PS, Wattyl Killrust Enamel spray in "Aluminum" colour is a very close match for the original FJ frame colour for touch ups etc. Its just a bit brighter, which looks good.

 

 

 

 

[craigo]

Very pretty, nice work and that oil cooler really pops. 

CraigO

[FJmonkey]

That is sweet looking.

[Grey runner]

I defo like the headers.

[movenon]

Sooo much better that stock .. Looks great. !
George

[JMR]

You will not regret the inside/outside ceramic coating.

[keand3]

That looks really good! Someone on this forum talked about FJ Porn in another thread... This must be the hardcore version of it 

[oz.fj]

Looking good Ray
See you on Friday
Darran

[racerman_27410]

 Another fine FJ example!  Your effort is definitely showing

I have to say there are very few motorcycles out there that i can be happy just looking at... The FJ has just enough of everything to pass the eye test....nice flowing broad shouldered bodywork with a beautiful hunk of engine that you can actually see.

KOokaloo!

Frank

[X-Ray]

  Thanks everyone, you are too kind. I just wanted to tidy things up a bit, and so far seems to going to plan. Only thing is now I see where I have to pull out the swingarm, clean/paint it, clean the rest of the frame etc etc, help me, I can't stop, lol.

I'm definatley happy with the headers. It was only $210.00 to get them and the collars done, top job.
The sun is out today, hope it hangs around, 

Hoo Roo
X-Ray

[aviationfred]

The Oil Cooler looks awesome, That mod is one of the remaining mods that is on my list. I am hoping to get that done before the 95 to 100 degree temps hit this summer.

The mention of pulling the swing arm for preventative maintenance, maybe consider mounting a 89'-90' Aluminum swing arm and save a little weight.

Fred

[fj11.5]

looking good xray,  that cooler has just a few extra fins,  and not as wide as the xjr one i used, but should work even better,, maybe one day ill be able to afford to upgrade again,,

[Pat Conlon]

The Oil Cooler looks awesome, That mod is one of the remaining mods that is on my list. I am hoping to get that done before the 95 to 100 degree temps hit this summer......

Only 95 to 100 degrees? That's sweater weather down here.....Burr

I like the built in thermostat on Randy's oil coolers. My bikes warm up faster.

[Anti-Dive Dave]

I hope to gawd there are others out there that have thought the same, but are too frightened to ask...

As nice as that oil cooler looks, I think I shall stick to my OE one (for now).  Sorry.  

Yes, it's a lovely cooler, there's no doubt about that, and with the coated headers, it looks gorgeous.  All was looking well for me, as I drooled at the pics before the headers went on....

But - headers fitted, and all that money spent, to have oil line fittings resting on the headers?  How long before the heat damages stuff / discolors / or the nice blue alloy cracks with the heat?  With the lines now sitting against 2 headers (or near as), the chance of 2 hot spots is (I say) fairly big.

Can I ask RPM why the design of the exiting line feeds are in this position (either end) and not machined in the centre running down clear of the headers like the original cooler? If the cooler was made the same way, but the oil feed lines kept running central, then it'd still perform the same?

Is there an advantage to the lines being on the far corners of the cooler?  I can understand it to be better for if hot oil goes in the furthest away point, and "cooled" exits at the opposite furthest point.  But, does it not counteract by now being so close (or touching as these photos seem to show) the downpipes? As the exiting "cool" oil will be subjected to instant heat up when passing the header?

Pic No. 5 (before headers) shows the lines wanting to follow the original central route (they are curved in).  If the lines were made shorter, and the feeds were made in the middle, you'd still get the nice easy connect, and the lines would run straight down, inbetween the biggest gap available which is the central space of the 2 inner headers.  But then I suppose you wouldn't have the distance between the entering oil, and the exiting.  So - I ask if that would be counteracted with the cooler having being made bigger?  Questions questions!

No offence meant to Randy or anyone who has one fitted.  Just an observation.

H2H

[SlowOldGuy]

If you install it correctly, nothing is touching the exhaust. 

DavidR.