Is there a difference btwn silver & black 308 oil coolers? | FerrariChat
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Is there a difference btwn silver & black 308 oil coolers?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Brian A, Jun 17, 2013.

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  1. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,148
    SanFrancisco BayArea
    Full Name:
    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    #1 Brian A, Jun 17, 2013
    I need to replace the oil cooler in my 83 QV.

    Dumb question:

    Is there any difference between black 308 oil coolers and silver 308 oil coolers (... besides color)?

    My car came with a silver one. I have found a black one.
     
  2. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #2 Steve King, Jun 17, 2013
    The silver one could be an aftermarket unit. I believe the OEM is black. If it's a replacement it is strange that it needs to be replaced again.
     
  3. Wilson308

    Wilson308 Formula Junior

    Apr 27, 2012
    635
    Arkansas, USA
    Full Name:
    Wilson
    #3 Wilson308, Jun 18, 2013
    I've never heard of an OEM cooler in silver either. Any pictures?
     
  4. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,148
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    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    #4 Brian A, Jun 18, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Trawling through photos of different cars, I've seen a lot of sliver ones. It makes me wonder if the factory used silver for some cars. The silver DOES look out of place.

    Mechanically, it's a simple gizmo, isn't subjected to much mechanical stress, is isolated from the frame with rubber grommets, etc, so, if it has already been replaced once, I can't see it as being anything more than bad luck for the car. There are no signs of impact or puncture wounds on the intake side either. It just seems to be leaking near the bottom on the forward side.

    Picture attached. Based on the lack of reaction on this forum and on chatting with one of the suppliers, I lead to believe there is no difference between the silver and black. My choices are used silver replacement for $250 and new OEM black for $550. This morning I am leaning toward spending the Big Bucks. Yesterday, I was leaning the other way.
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  5. guygowrie

    guygowrie Formula 3

    Sep 19, 2011
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    #5 guygowrie, Jun 18, 2013
    buy the silver and paint it!
     
  6. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,148
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    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    #6 Brian A, Jun 25, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Is the attached photo of an OEM oil cooler for a 308 QV?

    I suspect not, but wish to confirm before I return it. Per below, my 1983 308 GTS QV may have an aftermarket oil cooler in the first place.

    Although it fits, this replacement has only 6"x4.25"= 25 sq in of cooling area. The cooling area of the current cooler is 6"x7.5"= 45 sq in.

    ... I can't believe how frustrating fixing something this simple has been.
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  7. qereti

    qereti Rookie

    Jan 14, 2007
    41
    Metro Detroit
    #7 qereti, Jun 26, 2013
    The biggest reason for oil cooler failure is the installation and removal of the oil lines! You can destroy a new cooler in a split second tighening the hose like a gorilla. Most important is to use the second wrench on the cooler bung to keep it from twisting. Its aluminum, cant handle any torque. Dont think for one second that you can give it one nice umph! If so, your bummin. Sometimes u can get away with it, but your really not that special that the oil cooler gods will give any of us for that matter special dispensation for being a total idiot.
    The color is black paint, silver paint or no paint. Coolers are all aluminum. Early 308's are just raw alu, maybe they have a dusting of silver paint on them, i have also seen light tan primer on the mounting tabs. Personally, give a light dusting of dull aluminum paint.
     
  8. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,148
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    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    #8 Brian A, Jun 26, 2013
    Thanks for the response. I suggest you read the entire thread. For the record, my oil cooler is leaking in the lower front corner which is the opposite side from the threads and was already doing so before I took my wrenches to it. The threads are fine.

    Thanks for the confirmation that stock oil cooler are not necessarily painted. I am trying to determine if there was a design change demarcated by a color change. It doesn't sound like it.
     
  9. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,148
    SanFrancisco BayArea
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    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    #9 Brian A, Jul 1, 2013
    So, a replacement used (silver!) oil cooler is back in the car. Leak is gone.

    For the purpose of closure, I'll document what I learned in the process.

    The original oil cooler for the car (Ferrari part number 106965) is NLA as a new part.

    The new black oil cooler pictured earlier in this thread IS the replacement oil cooler as supplied by Ferrari (part number 145712). It is a significantly different design, with bigger fins and larger tubes, but much less radiator surface area. It's a judgement call, but I didn't like it and the supplier I purchased it from was kind enough to exchange it and refund of cost difference for a used oil cooler. The used one was in nice shape, so I am happy.

    The lesson to be learned from this is consider carefully your two options when replacing a leaking oil cooler.
     

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