Actually the pipe for the oil filter is a 3/4 thread the same as used on many Ford and other American vehicles. You do not have to remove it to remove the cooler. Once the hoses are off it will slide off. To make it easier remove the screw securing the pipe that goes to the t-stat housing to the head and the other pipe that is held by the inlet pipe to the water pump. Note that most likely the hose that connects to the rear pipe will be a tad too large for that pipe. Shrink tube on the pipe under the hose will take care of that. Loosening the tin on that side of the engine will also help. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of John Rodgers
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2015 10:03 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil cooler R&R

Got a water leak somewhere in the vacinity of the oil cooler. The plan is to remove the cooler, replace the seal, install new hoses, then put it back together. The pipe that is screwed into the case, passes thru the center of the cooler. It must be removed in order to remove the cooler.

The last time I did this, the internal pipewrench I was using sheared off inside the pipe and that cause me no end of trouble. I finally had to use an external pipewrench on it and of course that destroyed the pipe. Had to buy a new one. Whats the best way to remove and replace that pipe?

I could try locking two nuts together, but I don't know the size or the thread. I'm sure its metric. Wouldn't know what to ask for.

Any suggestions?

John