1977 MGB roadster Oil Cooler install

On first start, the engine had Zero Oil pressure, and some foreign debris in the oil, so I decided to replace the oil line. This was a great time to also install an Oil Cooler. The oil cooler was option equipment in the US back in 1977, so the vehicle already had all the necessary mount points. took some wrangling, and typical struggle with rusted bolts etc...
#mgb #classiccar #customcars #oilfilter #oilpump #oilcooler

[@floriandutke9654]

Nice clean install. Great video.

[@domainwarehouse]

Great video. I am getting ready to install a cooler on my 77 so this was very timely. I noticed you were using a Napa gold filter. I found that when I used those that they were too restrictive and that I lost a significant amount of oil pressure. I had to switch back to the cheaper base model oil filters that were less restrictive.

[@mgiaco52]

Good video, im thinking about putting one on my 78 B.

[@RoyBeltz]

Pretty cool!

[@MGB-learning]

Hi Alex. Congratulation on getting your car running. I noticed that your ignition light on the center information light bar did not luminate when you turned on your ignition. It should always turn on and luminate the word "Ignition" then turn off once your motor starts and your alternator begins to charge the electrical system. You may have a bad bulb, the bulb assembly slipped out of the Ignition holder or a connection issue at the bulb holder. You can access the bulb by twist out your Tachometer, pulling out the gauge and then pull out the bulb from the holder. Test to see if you are getting power from the white wire when your is switched on.

[@AlexPlatacis]

Very observant. Yeah, those 4 are still the old lights. I replaced all the rest. But ordered the wrong ones for those. It's a process... Thanks

[@MGB-learning]

@@AlexPlatacis I'm presently re-assembling my 1980 MGB. I've had this MGB since 1986 (37 years) she is going through her second restoration. This time it is a ground up restoration.

[@stevenserabian7366]

Another very useful video Alex! I watched your first “dry start” video and cringed as its everyone’s worst nightmare when it comes to starting a rebuilt or new engine. Glad that it survived. I had the engine on my 72 rebuilt and have yet to fire it given the state of my restoration. This is a great “primer” for when I do. What oil procedure did you use for the top have of the motor and the camshaft if any?

[@AlexPlatacis]

I did use a lot of assembly oil during reassembly. but other than that no special steps were taken for the top end. I did a few videos on the rebuild of the rocker assembly. you should check those out. it covers some differences in the design over the years, and how I merged them to use what I believe will have a better oil flow up there. glad my videos are helping. I am glad to share my mishaps and recovery. not to proud to keep it real. :)

[@jdman0570]

Excellent video. I have a 1977 MGB and was considering adding an oil cooler. Your video was very good. An unrelated question - there is a green wire that goes to the temperature sending unit on the block. There is another green wire that Y's off that green wire. I noticed that other wire goes to underneath the engine. Can you tell me what that connects to? Mine is disconnected and I cannot figure out what it is supposed to go to. Thank you.

[@AlexPlatacis]

I think I know what you are referring to... When you look at the thermostat housing, you will notice an additional bracket. That is supposed to be for the air pump. A part of the emissions that would blow clean air into the exhaust to help burn off hydrocarbons. I don't have that, so that extra wire is currently just hanging there. I have yet to "tidy up" the wiring. I intend to fold these back and bind them out of the way

[@MGB-learning]

The thicker green wire on a stock engine for a rubber bumper MGB that has the Zenith carburetor has a wire that connects to the Induction heater for the carburetor. Here in California it is never too cold to activate the thermostat in the unit. Most folks disconnect, roll them up and tape up the connector to keep them from inadvertently touching to ground. That green will become a hot wire once your ignition is turned on. Hope this info helps you.

[@RedDawg2k]

Glad u said something about “adding” an oil cooler. My ‘77 doesn’t have one but the holes in the engine compartment are there and I had been concerned that it had been removed.

[@schrenk]

Is there a problem with having the oil cooler lower than the engine ports? It seems that when the engine is stopped, that very little of the oil runs back into the engine. In this case you'll have a lot (over a quart) of oil that never gets changed when you change oil. Does the oil level on the dip stick change when you add an oil cooler?

[@AlexPlatacis]

All good questions. True the volume of oil in increased. This is a good thing, as it further dilutes any contamination, and ensures good lubrication While not all of the oil flows back into the oil pan on shut down, the oil that does remain is before the oil filter, so it actually provides more oil earlier on startup. The oil pan ia not any bigger anyway, so you probably don't want it to become over filled. And, no, the dipstick dies not measure differently. The oil level remains the same even though there is more oil. You are just storing the additional oil in the cooler. The objective is to aid in thermal protection, and to extend oil life. No other physical changes to the normal function of the engine

[@DavidsProcessWest]

A normally tuned street car should not need an oil cooler as most ran 100k miles without one. Do you plan to take on a circuit or just an upgrade for fun? Thanks for making an MGB video. The more the merrier for the community.

[@AlexPlatacis]

Well, this resto-mod has a Kent fast road cam, a weber Dcoe 45, and large intake valves. So not your typical street car. Although, I don't plan on racing it. I had read numerous forum posts on Bs overheating. And it is pretty hot here in TX. So the combination of all these, helped to justify the upgrade. .... and it was a fun , so...

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

It always amazes me why Bmc decided to fit an oil cooler to the MGB... Why cmon let's face it it's hardly a performance Car is it?.... Initially the B didn't have a cooler so I wonder why they decided to fit one 🤔.....

[@AlexPlatacis]

Well, if you look at the design of the 1800 engine, the oil path kinda needs one (or at least a return line). I think that might be one reason. Also, it is prone to overheating, so cooling the oil helps.