I was having some fun with my 3800SC swap today out for some spirited driving and smoke came out from the rear. Pulled over and coolant was pouring out from the LIM. The cheap plastic coolant elbow had just popped out of the LIM. I was able to pop it back in with long needle nose pliers but I lost lots of coolant.

Is this a common problem on L67 engines and if so how do you prevent it from happening again? I was thinking of making a bracket/tab that would act as a bump-stop and keep it from popping out but I'm open to suggestions.

You need something to hold it in. On a factory set up the tensioner assembly holds it in. On a Fiero you need some kind of bracket to hold it in there.

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1985 Fiero GT 3.1 with 4 speed
1999 Regal GS L36 VS CAM Intercooled / E85 12.96@ 108 street tires

I assume your not using the alternator bracket and using a low mount set up. Being plugged into the alt bracket is all that holds it in, when using a low mount alt you need to tap the LIM 3/4"NPT and use a barbed fitting.

Beat me to it !

[This message has been edited by Mike Gonzalez (edited 07-10-2011).]

quote Originally posted by sportcoupe: I was having some fun with my 3800SC swap today out for some spirited driving and smoke came out from the rear. Pulled over and coolant was pouring out from the LIM. The cheap plastic coolant elbow had just popped out of the LIM. I was able to pop it back in with long needle nose pliers but I lost lots of coolant. Is this a common problem on L67 engines and if so how do you prevent it from happening again? I was thinking of making a bracket/tab that would act as a bump-stop and keep it from popping out but I'm open to suggestions.

Nothing cheap about the plastic elbows...This is an installer error....Like other said it needs a little bracket to hold it in place.....

Factory bracket? Installer error? This is bone stock with factory alt bracket, factory tensioner assembly and alt in stock location, not a low mount setup.

Here's an internet pic I found. The unmarked one to the far right (not the circled marked lower) popped out at high rpm's. It just slips in, how can it be "an installer error"?



Here's another internet pic showing nothing holds it in. I propose a small bracket to hold it it.

[This message has been edited by sportcoupe (edited 07-11-2011).]

yeah there is a little bracket that holds it in. I think is is screwed down to the coil bracket(stock location)

Either way, get a new elbow. maybe the o-rings are bad or missing.

quote Originally posted by sportcoupe: Factory bracket? Installer error? This is bone stock with factory alt bracket, factory tensioner assembly and alt in stock location, not a low mount setup.

Did you buy new elbows instead of using the ones that came with it when you put the motor together....They are $7 at the parts store....

I heard that the whole point of that elbow is to blow out if there is a pressure problem in the system as a precaution...

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-Brian

My 87 GT Poly Suspension Upgrade (all pics) thread
Removing the roof panel

I remember breaking that part awhile ago on my 3800 na car if you need them only 4-5 bucks at autozone and simply pop in and some custom mods to it to hold her in and you should be all set.

when we do the swaps we drill and tap that hole and install a 3/4 NPT fitthing and run the hose from that some others have built tabs to hold them in and some others block them off.
I would not recomend the block off we have tested one that was and the intake was almost 60 deg. hotter on that side than the other due to no flow.
you can just see it in this pic. I will say it is not easy to drill and tap because the hole is large almost an 1"
D.

^^ That's nice and all but doesn't match my setup.