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I have finally confirmed the reason for my engine oil temp problem during extended WOT running. Insufficient oil flow rate through the oil cooler for 625hp. An engine builder/mechanic built a pair of Whippled 496's for a 47 foot tub. So ~650hp though he claimed they dynoed 731hp. The engines are run at WOT for extended periods of time to push the heavy boat and oil temp was excessive. These have the same identical oil cooler as I do (Hardin 3x18 thermostatically controlled). Over a period of years of trial and error and insufficient success he finally increased the bearing clearances from 0.0025 to 0.0030 & 0.0035 rear main to increase the oil flow (through the oil cooler) and went from the 8-9 GPM Melling HV oil pump to an adjustable 15 GPM external oil pump to maintain the necessary oil pressure with the increased bearing clearances. That finally solved it.

I may eventually copy that but in the meantime I am looking for a work around that does not require pulling the engine and tear down. My first thought is to strap a radiator core style to the bottom of the crank case pan and run sea water through it. Comment? Other ideas/products?