1994 S-15 Jimmy oil cooler

I have a 1994 GMC S-15 Jimmy with the 4.3 Vortech engine. The oil cooler is leaking like crazy at most of the fittings. Can't I take the oil cooler off? Can I just remove the adapter where the oil filter would go and put an oil filter on? I only drive the vehicle for a 30 minute commute (one way) each day, I don't care to be off road wheelin'.
RonnyB


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Thats what I`ve always did to them in the past when they developed a leak was take them off and install a regular oil filter adapter.

the same adapter that goes on a V-8 block?

Is your Jimmy a 4 X?
I don't believe there is room for a oil filter in the usual location if it is a 4 X, the front drive shaft is in the way.
I am on the fourth set of lines on my 92 Olds, the OE, a recalled and replaced set, plus two that I have put on and they are now leaking.

Here are a couple of links, the first is how to delete the lines if it is a 2wd. The second is low cost fix, up to you if you trust hose clamps on the cooler lines.

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f201/...-delete-101731/
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f107/...r-lines-343472/

You`ll need the adapter off a 4.3 the small block adapter is too big. 1 ownerT maybe right. I can`t remember if we were able to swap it on the jimmy a friend of mine has or not since it`s been so long ago.

yeah, mine is a 4X4. The lines are available at LMC for $50. I guess I'll bite the bullet. Not only is my oil cooler leaking, I have a PS line leaking and a poorly repaired trans cooler line leaking. At least I'm not leaking coolant! Thanks for the help.
RonnyB

I would check into the LMC lines, see who makes them. I recently bought a window trim for my Bravada from them, it was made in Taiwan and the retaining clips were very brittle, two broke straighting them before the install.
The replacement lines I have had the best luck with are made by Dorman. I believe NAPA sells them, also try www.rockauto.com

I just checked rock auto, they have the Dorman's $10.00 less than LMC and they come with the sealing washers, the LMC lines don't.
Google Rock Auto Discount, you should be able to find a current discount code and save a little more.
This code is good until 2/8/09 13213271016885

I followed the link to Rock Auto. Thanks. The parts there were cheaper, but the $30 shipping from two locations drove their price higher than my local NAPA store. One of my mistakes was thinking I only needed to buy one line set. I need both, and a gasket set. So, now I have parts on the way and I'll drive my El Camino in the meantime. 1ownerT, you were a big help, thanks to you and Doublevision for helping.
RonnyB

Well one thing I don't understand in the first link to s10forum that 1ownerT gave... no standard filter adapter was used at all, the treaded piece was just screwed into the block.... is it that easy?

If the 4.3L adapter for the cooler is constructed like the one that came on my Vortec 5.7L engine, I see no reason that the cooler lines can't be plugged at the adapter.

At least on the 5.7L, the cooler only gets partial flow to it, and part to the filter. If you take a close look at yours, you might see what I mean.

Otherwise, plumb the ports back into each other, and eliminate the cooler altogether that way.

You could, it really isn't there to cool the oil, it's there to heat it up so the engine comes off cold start enrichment quicker. You'd find a lot quicker with it than without, so I think keep this system is important to engine, oil and coolant life, especially if you live where it gets seriously cold.

I make it a habit to remove the funky, leaky factory fittings on the lines to the adapter and replace them with old fashion flare fittings and make new hard lines with a double flare at the fittings. I've had good luck with both steel and aluminum tube. If you do this, I'd recommend that you put a small amount of flare on the end if the tube where the rubber hoses fit. This will provide a lip for the clamp to pinch behind, which will insure the hose doesn't blow off the tube.

The factory rubber hoses aren't to spiffy either, I see them become hard and leaky in a short time. But short of hydraulic hose, I haven't found a suitable replacement that's also inexpensive. If you have the money to spend, stainless over-braid oil lines and flare fittings make a great replacement from the adapter to the radiator's fittings and back.

Bogie

Again - the first link shows the threaded part being put directly into the block, with no oil filter adapter. I guess this would result in full flow through the filter (no bypass). And I guess Doublevision installed a regular adapter to have a bypass valve.

So my question is -- if you want full flow and don't need a filter adapter, why do they make full flow filter adapters ???????