Question for Vortec conversion Owners...

[Yo_Han]

Howdy gents,

I have an 89' FJ62 with a '96 5.7L Vortec V8 conversion. The donor had towing package which had an engine oil cooler. I did not do the conversion, and noticed the otherday the feed and return lines are leaking. She's running the factory(toyo) radiator with fan on the crank pulley. My question is, does this conversion need the GM oil cooler without overheating? Does anyone out there have this conversion running with no oil cooler and no overheating issues? Just thinking if it's not necessary, just pulling it. I do pull a boat to the coast here and there...not sure if that matters.

Thanks in advance for any input!

~Yo Han

 

[lehiguy]

GM oil cooler lines on 5.7s and 4.3s are notorious for leaking. It doesn't require any specific cooler, just one that is adequate. You can remove the entire thing, but oil coolers are beneficial.

 

[Yo_Han]

Thanks for the response. I live in NC and it gets hot and I tow to the coast here and there, so maybe I'll keep it in. Anyone know of where I can order custom hoses online? Exchanged emails with the previous owner and it sounds like they were custom, so assuming stock ones won't work. Thanks again!

~Yo Han

 

[Gordz]

Yo Han, why not pop down to a hydrolics company and get them to make you some hoses up ? that way they really shouldnt leak and they can make them to your size length. probably cheaper than GM anyways.

 

[Yo_Han]

Yo Han, why not pop down to a hydrolics company and get them to make you some hoses up ? that way they really shouldnt leak and they can make them to your size length. probably cheaper than GM anyways.

Hello Gordz thanks for that suggestion. If it is the lines and I need to replace I will definitely go that route, thanks. Found a thread lastnight on a chevy forum, apparently there's a o-ring and gasket on the oil filter assembly where it mounts to the block, I want to check that to make sure it's not there the leak is coming from now. Saw your other post Gordz, will try to get you a vid of my vortec. I didn't go too noisy with my exhaust to min the cabin noise, think I got the flowmaster 50 series.

~Yo Han

 

[Elbert]

Are you running an external oil cooler? One that is not part of the radiator I assume?

 

[orangefj45]

i have a 99 vortec 5.7 in my 80 with the 4l60e and a pl;it case. so it's a very similar setup to yours. stock rad but no oil cooler. i do not have any overheating issues, not even when i romp on it for extended periods of time in the sand dunes. the oil pressure does drop pretty low ( about 15-20 psi ) when the engine is fully warmed up and sitting at idle.......
if you already have the cooler on there, then fix the leak and run it. like mentioned earlier, most hydro shops should be able to make the hoses while you wait.
hth
georg @ valley hybrids

 

[Yo_Han]

Thanks Georg for the reply. How hot does it get around you Georg? I might just disconnect it and plug it up and just want the temp gauge for awhile. Georg, did you just plug up the existing hole for the feed and return line or replace the oil filter mount with one without the oil cooler option?

~Yo Han

i have a 99 vortec 5.7 in my 80 with the 4l60e and a pl;it case. so it's a very similar setup to yours. stock rad but no oil cooler. i do not have any overheating issues, not even when i romp on it for extended periods of time in the sand dunes. the oil pressure does drop pretty low ( about 15-20 psi ) when the engine is fully warmed up and sitting at idle.......
if you already have the cooler on there, then fix the leak and run it. like mentioned earlier, most hydro shops should be able to make the hoses while you wait.
hth
georg @ valley hybrids