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Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:48 am

Does anybody know if a 356 oil cooler will fit on a 36hp engine?
I have been told they are made in aluminium and there for much beter
to cool the oil, is there any thruth in that?
Any info would be nice!

Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:14 am

Hello-

I don't know if this is where you found out about 356 oil coolers, but here's a related link:

http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id={25E92F7D-C594-4AA8-BCD9-B1BBD70E0A91}

Thanks for your time.

Paul

Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:06 am

gimmesomeshelter wrote: Hello-

I don't know if this is where you found out about 356 oil coolers, but here's a related link:

http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id={25E92F7D-C594-4AA8-BCD9-B1BBD70E0A91}

Thanks for your time.

Paul
Corrected link:
http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.asp?id=25E92F7D-C594-4AA8-BCD9-B1BBD70E0A91

Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:03 pm

Okay thanks
Now I only need too know if it will fit on my 36hp egine?

Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:36 pm

I will go out and check in a minute , I have both styles of 356/912 coolers and a bare 36hp block . TROY

Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:31 pm

The alum cooler has 8mm studs , the 356 and 36hp have 6mm studs , but all the holes line up . There is enough material to drill the case for the bigger studs . Both the Porsche coolers have a larger opening , not sure if the standard cooler gasket would work (I didn't have any to check) the holes are about 1.5 - 2mm bigger . Here are some pics . TROY

Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:44 pm

There is an aluminium coolor for early 356 that has the 6mm studs. They show up occaisionally on Ebay. They fit the case, how they fit in the cooling tin is something that I have not tried, but I think they will fit fine.

Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:24 am

Teeroy wrote: The alum cooler has 8mm studs , the 356 and 36hp have 6mm studs , but all the holes line up . There is enough material to drill the case for the bigger studs . Both the Porsche coolers have a larger opening , not sure if the standard cooler gasket would work (I didn't have any to check) the holes are about 1.5 - 2mm bigger . Here are some pics . TROY

Okay thanks alot!
What is the diffrents between the one in the middle and the left one?
I would say that the left one is best because of all those little finns/ribs
(I dont know what it is called in english sorry :-) )

Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:54 am

The one in the middle is steel , like the VW cooler . TROY

Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:30 am

Hello all.
The 356 alloy oil cooler will hit the top directional vane inside the fan shroud. I think Porsche designed the 3 piece case to work with the "tall" oil cooler and the VW shrouds(modified) it robbed from the OEM.
It will leave about a 1/8" gap over the cooler side of the shroud.
Troy please double check me on this. It's hard to tell, the case ribbing makes it look like it fits, but the shroud doesn't seat on the "roof" of the case. The shroud will rock back and forth.
You can do what want you want; I'm not saying it will not work. Compare the pic's and you will notice how the tops of the coolers differ.
I had to use a "Behr" cooler on my 1958 VW 36hp case with early (1956)
Porsche fan shroud.
Good luck with your project.
Al

Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:26 pm

Al , went out to the shop , the alum cooler fit as far in the shroud I have as the steel cooler and a later 36hp, the dome top with brace bracket did not though . I don't have a case drilled for the larger mounting studs , to see if things change when cooler is bolted to block . TROY

Thu Nov 10, 2005 2:27 pm

Now I am a bit confuesed, does it fit or not?

Thu Nov 10, 2005 3:52 pm

Fit the shroud I have . TROY

Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:11 pm

Okay is it any taller than the original 36hp one?

Is it 36 hp fan shroud that tried to put the coolers in?

Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:35 am

It's shorter than the 36hp dometop with the brace bracket , yes testing with a 36hp VW shroud. TROY

Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:30 pm

Hello-

I've been looking for aluminum oil coolers on eBay when I noticed a couple of things. First, you can purchase "Stepped" oil cooler seals from Zim's Autotechnik - they're intended for people who want to mount late model oil coolers on early 356's. Second, it looks like a lot of these replacement coolers come with studs that are 6mm on one end and 8mm on the other. Lastly, I've noticed that they sell brass vw style coolers for $60 new. Does anyone know if these disipate much more heat than the standard steel cooler?

Thanks.

P-

Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:48 pm

Just wondering, anyone tried a late aluminum 356 cooler on a 40HP VW?

Do the late coolers work that much better than the brass/steel versions?

Thu Feb 18, 2010 8:12 am

Hello-

I would advise against purchasing the late model 356 cooler. They are very heavy so they're more likely to damage to your case.

If you want a 356 cooler, install one of the early ones, or save up your pennies and purchase one of the very efficient/light ones from NLA Parts.

Paul

Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:55 am

Can see why weight would make much of a difference as the bulk of the weight would be centered on the HUGE case boss.

The reason I ask is most people want to put doghouse coolers on a 40hp but if the aluminum 356 cooler would fit inside a stock non DH shroud I think its a no brainer. Better cooling than stock with completely stock appearance.

Also if it works on a 40hp case it would work on later 1500 or 1600 SP as well.

So, back to the question, has anyone actually used the aluminum 356 cooler on a 40hp engine with success?? No theories or opinions unless you have used one.

Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:12 am

for the sake of contributing with more material I post the choices I have on my desk

IMHO, the left one aluminum behr oil cooler is getting hard to find on good conditions. Instead the center 356B/C oil coller can be found at an affordable price if you look thoroughly.

If I finally use the 356 one, I doubt between keeping the 8 mm studs an machine the holes on the case or substitute those studs....