Oil cooler plumbing and removal

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kenh

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So one of the oil cooler lines on my 1990 5.7 has started leaking. My plan is to just remove the lines and plug the holes in the adapter.

Would I be correct that the oil cooler is just a passive bypass? As in what ever happens to go through the cooler gets cooled? If that is so then just plugging the holes in the adapter will have no consequence?? I never pull anything and the engine will be getting swapped out very soon anyway. I do in the meantime need the truck and don't want to chance blowing a hose in the middle of nowhere. I haven't paid attention but I'm thinking the fittings in the adapter are 3/8" NPT. Is this correct?

Thanks for the input!

Ken
 

kenh

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I guess i wasn't clear in my question.

Is the oil cooler on a 1990, 5.7, 2WD, a full flow cooler? The filter hangs strait down.
If it is then just removing the lines and plugging the ports is not possible. Correct?

Thanks!

Ken
 

GoToGuy

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What is " passive bypass "?
The " oil filter cooler adapter " has two bypass valves contained within. One bypass for the oil filter activates when oil pressure exceeds a specific value or plugged oil filter. The second bypass valve activates if the oil cooler becomes clogged for any reason.
The filter cooler adapters are produced in two styles. Filter straight up and down with full size filter. Normally on two wheel drive.
The other on four wheel drive vehicle filter is horizontal, laying on it's side and a smaller filter, for more clearance in four wheel application.
When looking at factory oil cooler fittings that use a flexible seal and bent wire retainer to attach oil cooler lines. There are three different sizes! If your just replacing the tube/ lines it's not problem, just order for your year, eng size.
 

kenh

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Passive meaning that only "some" of the oil flows through the cooler. As opposed to full flow where 100% flows through the cooler under pressure. My want is to just remove the lines and plug the holes. My truck is a 2WD with a full size filter vertical. The engine will get pulled shortly (don't want to spend the cash uselessly for a filter adapter) and swapped for a LS but in the meantime I want to get rid of the leaking cooler lines.

So... I dislike having oil being forced past a bypass oil continuity as it's detrimental to the oil and creates unneeded heat in the oil. I guess I'll just live with the leaks for the time being.

Ken
 

GoToGuy

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Uh.. the oil is heated to high temp inside the engine. The oil cooler in the radiator is cooling the oil and helping maintain a more constant oil temperature. How is it detrimental to the engine oil? Forced past a bypass, what? Do you know how the oil system functions. That's not how the engine oil system functions. What continuity? You want to block everything off go for it. If you believe your smarter than GM engineers, it's your choice.
No one said you had to read the service manual or schematics. Good luck.
 

Gramps

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No you can not just plug those holes.
Go to nearest parts store you need a melling MF350 oil filter adapter and 2 shorter bolts. Will take the same oil filter you have now.
 

GoToGuy

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Here's another option for you.
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Quote " Just because you can ...etc "
Good luck.
 
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