got the exhaust leak on my '86 GXL fixed, only to fire it up and notice an oil leak on the drivers' side that wasn't there before i started it. haven't had the time to carefully look it over and find out where it's coming from exactly, but i'm assuming one of the oil cooler lines is rotted and busted when the oil pressure built up.

if that is the case, would it be safe to make a loop with the other line (presumably good) and bypass the oil cooler? i just need to get the car to last a 15mile drive to the garage so i can pull the motor and give it a new home while the chasis is sold off to a guy doing an LS1 swap.

 

No, you cannot bypass the oil cooler. Something like 30% of engine cooling is done via oil. If you do this, you'll fry the oil o-rings.

 

I knew the oil cooler was necessary for running it hard, but i didn't know if i could survive without it for a babied drive home (ie: barely using the accelerator and keeping it under 50 in 4th since it's an auto).

Guess it's time for me to look up the prices of those oil lines, then.

 

yeah i noticed i think i have a oil leak I haven't found it yet though but i think it is a oil ring or something that connects to the oil pan.

 

Another options is to make your own lines. There's a topic in the archive that covers making lines out of standard braided stainless and AN fittings.