Questionok..i have a 87 camaro...the engine blew (5.0) and we are replacing it (5.7) the 5.7 has what i believe is an oil cooler on it...its connected to where the oil filter is susposed to go and then the oil filter connects to that...the 5.0 didnt have the oil cooler...is the oil cooler required on the 5.7?
AnswerHi Ricki,
Is this motor from a truck? Is this motor an LT-1 or LS? The cooler lines connect to the radiator, just like the trans cooler lines do. They are just another potential leak. But keep the motor cool when under heavy loads...like trailering.
Not neccessary in Camaro. Need to use the other radiator from the donor car, if you use these lines.
You should see a bolt in the center of this thing. If you disconnect that, you may need to put a center bolt back in place, to screw the filter onto the motor. Might be possible to just plug the holes, with pipe plugs. But those could eventually leak.
Another thing that this could be, is a remote oil filter. Lines from here direct flow to a filter that is not connected to the motor. I don't like this, but it is popular on small Blazers with 4x4.
If this is a truck motor, you may notice the 350 is not like that of an SS Impala. It may be 'geared' for heavy work over drag racing. To fix that, you need car heads. I had an '80 Malibu 2-door, and put a 350 out of a K-5 Blazer in it to replace the original 305. All it did was suck gas BADLY!! I believe the 305 may have been quicker. I was young and learned the difference between a truck and car motor.
Don't forget, you may need to switch the transmission and rear axle too. The axle is weak, and the tranny is probably a 250 Turbo. You will want a 350 Turboat least. A 700R4 would be better. 250 Turbo was meant for V-6. Look for a 12-bolt posi axle. Maybe some Flowmasters...
Sorry, I get carried away on these type jobs. Sounds like a fun upgrade. It will be nice in the end.
C J S
