INSTALLING THE SEO 7P8 ENGINE OIL COOLER - 1994, 1995, 1996 B-BODY

By Ken Humphrey

I found the 9C1 Oil Auxiliary Cooler in a wrecked police car with 2,000 miles on it. Retail price is about $200 for the parts, junkyard price was $80. For those that have not done it the only potential snag is the sender unit directly in the center of the block above the lines. For some reason, GM had them wrapped around my lines and it was a real ^%@# trying to get them off due to the heat shielding tape they are wrapped in.

I saw that GM has FIVE different part numbers for the different Oil Filter Adapters (the part the oil filter screws into and the steel lines attach to). To be safe I just used the one I removed from the 9C1's engine (this part is $79 from GM). Getting the lines (GM PN 10260341) up into position is not impossible, but it helps to get the car up on a lift, as even then it takes some time to maneuver into place. Make sure you replace the 2 seals (diagram #14, GM PN 10262640) .

SEO 7P8 Engine Oil Filter Adapter & Auxiliary Cooler

The Heat Exchanger (GM #1022622 $75.25) is strictly a bolt-on part.  It's almost the mirror image of the transmission cooler already installed.  Remove the screw on the center brace and there are two clips that attach to the bottom rail underneath the Heat Exchanger. Slide the Heat Exchanger into place, hand tighten the center brace screw a little, put the two lower rail screws in and hook the two lines up to the Heat Exchanger.  Tighten the 3 screws up, but leave the pipes slightly loose until you get them connected to the hoses, then tighten them up. Make sure not to forget the o-rings either. They should've come with the pipes, so make sure one hasn't fallen off.

The support brace that attaches to the side of the light bucket is not necessary, as it won't fit due to the wider radiator in the Impala SS. Maybe you can get it to work, but it will most likely require some maneuvering or adjusting.  You'll also have to slightly bend the lines to go around the radiator here.  The stock 9C1 radiator does not have an internal cooler and so that radiator is not as wide as ours.  All the normal disclaimers apply.  Use of these directions are at your own discretion.

Parts Diagram & List