After swapping the 5.3 into the '91, there were several issues that came up. First was the temp gauge did not work. This was priority #1 to know what was going on with the engine temp, overheating can be $$. Once I figured out I had 2 wires crossed at the temp sensor, the gauge started to work. After about 6-10 minutes of idling, the temp gauge was getting too hot. I checked all items in the system (all are new) and could find no fault. I thought the temp sensor could be defective in some way. Once I removed it, there was no coolant leaking out!
On the "older" Chevy engines, the temperature thermostat was on the intake manifold, up high in the system. On the LS engines, the thermostat is where the lower radiator hose attaches to the water pump. Therefore, if you only add coolant to the radiator, the top end of the motor has not coolant. And, with no coolant the thermostat will not open to allow flow. SO, after filling the radiator, hold the upper radiator hose up and add coolant down the hose into the water pump. This puts fluid on both sides of the thermostat and allows it to function properly. Then just add coolant until the system is full. Oh well, live and learn!

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