Method of modifying an engine oil cooling system

A kit of parts for modifying an original equipment oil cooling system for a vehicle having a diesel engine, the diesel engine having an engine block with oil passages, an oil pump for circulating oil, and a water cooling system with a water pump and water cooling passages disposed in the engine block, the engine having an original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger in which heat from the oil is transferred to the water cooling system of the engine, the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger being imbedded within the engine and having a predetermined mounting configuration, the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger further comprising an oil inlet, an oil outlet, a water inlet, and a water outlet each in a predetermined location, the kit comprising:

• (a) an adaptor adapted to be installed in place of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, the adaptor having an oil inlet port and an oil outlet port, the adaptor being arranged such that when the adaptor is mounted to the engine, the oil inlet port of the adaptor is positioned at the former location of the oil inlet of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and the oil outlet port of the adaptor is positioned at the former location of the oil outlet of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, the oil outlet port of the adaptor, in an installed position, providing a flow of oil to an external oil cooling heat exchanger mounted in a location different from the location of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, the adaptor further comprising a bypass water passage having a single water inlet port and a single water outlet port, the adaptor being arranged such that when the adaptor is in the installed position, the water inlet port of the adaptor is positioned at the former location of the water inlet of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger to receive a flow of water coolant and the adaptor water outlet port discharges the flow of water coolant to the water cooling system of the engine, the adaptor further including a lower surface that retains a substantially flat particulate filter screen which receives a portion of the flow of oil from said adaptor;
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• (b) an external oil cooling heat exchanger having an external mount configured to mount the external oil cooling heat exchanger in a location different from the location of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, the external oil cooling heat exchanger having an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting sized to receive a flow of oil from the oil outlet port of the adaptor and return the flow of oil to the engine.