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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 06:19 PM
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Question What is this?

I'm working on a 5.3L (LMG). I noticed some holes on the side of the oil pan, next to the oil filter. Do I need to plug these holes, or is there supposed to be something there? I didn't remove the engine from the vehicle. I just rebuilt it. I want to put it on an engine dyno, but I don't know if it can run with these holes open. What are my options?




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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 06:21 PM
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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 07:16 PM
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Some vehicles have oil coolers and that particular oil pan is for a vehicle that uses one. You can still run it as long as there's a block off plate in place.
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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 08:07 PM
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Right, oil cooler ports.

Stock truck engines like LM7 have a little plate thing (more than a plate really, but not by much) that you would need if you're not running a cooler. Looks kinda somewhat like this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/29388699380...=1645685073568
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Old Jun 8, 2022 | 08:44 PM
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And when installing that block-off plate, DO NOT overtighten the bolts. It will warp easily.
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Old Jun 9, 2022 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by RB04Av
Right, oil cooler ports.

Stock truck engines like LM7 have a little plate thing (more than a plate really, but not by much) that you would need if you're not running a cooler. Looks kinda somewhat like this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/29388699380...=1645685073568
I actually have a (spare) stock LM7 oil pan. I think it has that blocker plate as mentioned. I'll double check and see if I can swap the blocker plate to the LMG oil pan. Thanks everyone.
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Old Jun 10, 2022 | 03:13 PM
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and just because it may not be obvious, you cant make one with a piece of flat metal. oil needs to flow from one hole to the other.
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Old Jun 10, 2022 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by TrendSetter
and just because it may not be obvious, you cant make one with a piece of flat metal. oil needs to flow from one hole to the other.
Great post here. The GM (or others…a couple manufactures make one) oil cooler block-off plate doesn’t simply cap those two holes. It directs oil from one side to the other.
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Old Jun 12, 2022 | 07:09 AM
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Think of it as an oil cooler bypass it is a piece of aluminum that has a passageway that connects one hole to the other. If you have an oil cooler the front goes to the oil cooler while the other hole is the return from the oil cooler.
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Old Jun 12, 2022 | 07:30 PM
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I checked the other oil pan. It does not have the blocker plate. I'll have to order one of those. I did not know that oil had to flow from one hole to the other. I appreciate that little bit of info.

While we're talking about oil pans...would it be possible to attach turbo feed/return lines to those holes? I couldn't tell if they were threaded or not. Since oil is designed to flow through there, it would be a convenient way to rig up some oil lines for a turbo. Just a thought...
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 03:47 AM
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I think this would work for you, it has a 1/8npt port on it. But you'd still need a return to pan.
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 12:55 PM
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at best, try to find one for a C5 vette. They already have a tapped port that was used for an oil temp sender. I can't say exactly what size thread they are. but I get the factory style then drill and tap it to 1/8th NPT and put an oil pressure sender there for gauges. Great place to have one. It's out of the way and no need for a sandwich adapter.
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 03:44 PM
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ICT Billet also makes this adapter and I have one on my LS370 build. It allows you to connect a braided line for a mechanical oil pressure gauge.
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Utinator
I checked the other oil pan. It does not have the blocker plate. I'll have to order one of those. I did not know that oil had to flow from one hole to the other. I appreciate that little bit of info.

While we're talking about oil pans...would it be possible to attach turbo feed/return lines to those holes? I couldn't tell if they were threaded or not. Since oil is designed to flow through there, it would be a convenient way to rig up some oil lines for a turbo. Just a thought...
A lot of people including myself use it for the feed. The port that points towards the top, drill and tap for 1/8 NPT.
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Old Jun 13, 2022 | 04:31 PM
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I guess I'm in the boat of, had 3 stock style block off plates leak ( and very possibly my fault by over torquing them) so I appreciate a much sturdier design that won't flex/ warp/ or give me any trouble for less than 50 bucks. No matter if it's a EARLs /DERALE/ICT. Just my .02¢ worth.
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