when i run water in through the water inlet hose...the water goes straight to the oil pan...i have a water flow diagram...according to the diagram, the water goes to the engine water pump and the exhaust elbows...my question is can the water get to the engine block if the engine is off?...i have a 1987 GM 350...the exhaust elbows and manifolds is new

bad head gasket
cracked block
bad intake manifold gasket

Any of these can cause your cooling water to get into the oil passages and pan.

And there are some aftermarket manifolds that don't have flat/true mating surfaces, and can leak water into the exhaust, new right out of the box. I think the most common one for that is GLM manifolds.

Could be the oil cooler has a crack in the internals. The cooler is inline between the sea water pump (if you have one) and the thermostat housing. Port (left) side of the engine.

the only cooler i have is the power steering oil cooler...is that the one you are talking about?

Take a look to see if the oil line runs thru the cooler as well. if not, then you are probably looking at an issue with the engine (ouch)

Troubleshooting this depends on how much actual water goes 'straight to the pan'.

If a head gasket is leaking, or the riser is leaking back, that water will fill a cylinder and it should to leak into the pan fairly slow, if at all (depends on the condition of your rings).

If you're talking a lot of water, unfortunately that's indicative of a cracked water jacket. If you don't have an external oil cooler, then about the only other way water can get into the pan is the same way the oil does...

2 possible reasons for a water jacket leak would be from freezing, or a cracked/broken cylinder wall (which can result from a variety of reasons)...

Fixed the same issue in a family boat this season...oil cooler was the culprit.