703 CAMAROSS

I pulled the valve cover and let it run and couldent see oil coming out at idle after about a minute, I shut it off after that. It's a fresh build with like 4000 miles on it. It's been ticking for some time. I was thinking pick up tube o ring but its got 40 psi of oil pressure.I checked my pushrod length by counting the number of turns to 22ftib and it was almost exactly one turn so I'm assuming those are fine. What else could it be?

703 CAMAROSS

Could it just be my dual springs slamming the valve harder? Are they noisey?

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

I will have to do some research...Bought I though I read somewhere its normal not to get oil at the rockers at idle RPMs....

badazz81z28

iTrader: (6)

The ticking...if it sounds like a sewing machine, that's normal too. Common in cam'd cars with stock rockers.

RockinWs6

You should have plenty of oil at a idle. Something is very wrong. Only thing I can think of is dirty blocked lifters. But I would thnk if they were that blocked that lifters would pump up and hold the valves open.

How does the oil look? Take a good sample off the dipstick on some black paper. see if it looks glittery.

703 CAMAROSS

Oil is perfect, nothing is dirty either. Everything is new from the shortblock up. And I also read somewhere that it was normal and you would have to rev it up to see some oil, and it is cammed with stock rockers. Think the trunion upgrade will quiet it down some?

RockinWs6

Noway.....do you actually think no oil should be coming up to lube the rockers and valves at idle? I can tell you without a doubt you better have plenty of oil at a idle. I can take my oil cap off and see the 1st rocker and watch the oil drip off the rocker at a idle.

I have another idea what maybe going on. If the oring on the pickup tube is damaged it is possible to a lot of air in the lifters. This would really slow the oil to the top.

Are you sure you have enough preload on the valves that the push rods are tight enough to hold oil and transfer it up to the rockers. Did you ever actually check the preload?

this effin browser is making it hard to edit my crappy grammar sorry.

703 CAMAROSS

Is there another way to check pre load other then what I mentioned with out a push rod length checker? I was thinking the o ring also but my oil prrssure is like 43 at idle and around 65 at 2000 rpm. Can it really be the o ring with decent oil pressure.

RockinWs6

Yes, you can have great oil pressure but air mixed in with it. Try this....start the engine cold and let it run for 5 mins, then shut it off and pull the dip stick. Look for tiny air bubbles. Then warm it up completely and see if the air goes away.
BUT DON"T RUN IT DRY....IF THERE IS NO OIL ON THE ROCKERS AT LEAST OIL THEM WITH A OIL SQUIRT CAN!
You can check the push rod preload without a gauge. Lots of info on how to do it on the forum, Do a search.

Another thing you can do is just pull the valve covers off and start trying to move the rockers. See if you can move any with your hands. If you can they are way too loose. Loose pushrods could easily cause the oil to drain out of the push rods before it gets to the top of the push rod.

RockinWs6

If there was air in the oil the lifters in the frt of the engine would be the loudest. The rear lifters will get less air as the air tends to get forced to the farthest point in the oil gallery.

Gray86hatch

iTrader: (83)

I had a pinched o ring and the oil pressure was not as responsive. I knew it the first time I started it the oil was also not getting to the top of the engine like it should have.

The preload cant be checked by trying to move the rockers or PR.

Tim

RockinWs6

I didn't mean that it could be checked by just trying to move them. I was giving him a place to start just to see if they were loose enough to cause his oiling trouble.

Gray86hatch

iTrader: (83)

Then how does a solid roller oil the rockers with. 020 lash?

Tim

703 CAMAROSS

Well iv looked a second time and the only other thing to check pre load is with a pushrod length checker which I don't have. If you could link me to this other way you are talking about that would be great.

sreve

iTrader: (3)

Here's some copy\paste and it works great.




Shane at Thunder Racing gets the credit.

"The TDC method is NOT always accurate. Try the EO/IC method to check pushrod length. I have posted directions on this forum numerous times... Here it is again:

FWIW, EVERY cam install I have done using the LS7 lifter with a cam with greater than .600" lift (read smaller base circle) AND stock heads w/GM MLS gaskets has taken 7.425" pushrods for ~.050"-.060" preload. We measure lifter preload on each and every cam install we do. I have never had a lifter failure nor do we end up with the dreaded "sewing machine" noise.

Its very simple, If you change ANY of the following:
valve sizes, valve job, head milling, thinner/thicker head gaskets, decked block, cam with an altered base circle, etc... YOU MUST CHECK FOR PROPER PUSHROD LENGTH.

I have helped countless numbers of individuals with this process over the phone, via email, and PM's. I've posted the process on at least 3 occasions.

Here it is again in a nutshell:

1. Using the EO/IC method, get the lifter to the base circle of the cam.
2. Using a known length pushrod (7.400" is a good start with stock rockers) run the rocker arm bolt down to zero lash. This is easily done with your fingers "wiggling" the rocker, the point at which the "slack" is just gone is zero lash.
3. Set your torque wrench to 22 lb./ft. Tighten the rocker to full torque and count the number of turns it takes to get there. 1 full turn wtih a stock 8mm X 1.25 bolt is ~.047" preload as measured at the pushrod/rocker interface.
4. I normally shoot for 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 turns with stock type lifters like Comp 850's, LS1, LS7 etc.

For an example, if you use a 7.400" pushrod and come up with 3/4 of a turn, you will need at least .025" longer pushrod to get into range. If you end up with 2 1/4 turns, you will need one .025" shorter...

I might not know everything but I will tell you that this method has worked for me year after year cam swap after cam swap. We average 3 cam swaps a week here so you can do the math.

If you are not familiar with the EO/IC method for determining valve events in a 4 stroke engine, its very simple:
For a given cylinder as the Exhaust valve is Opening, the intake lifter will be on the base circle of the cam and lash/preload should be checked for that intake valve.
For a given cylinder as the Intake valve is Closing, the exhaust lifter will be on the base circle of the cam and lash/preload should be checked for that exhaust valve.

THIS METHOD ALWAYS WORKS!!!

Check it using the above method and see where you are."

Thanks,
Shane

BKsNHRA

iTrader: (4)

mine did this. Oil pump oiring was my problem. Also had 40 psi. showed no signs of a pressure problem at all

703 CAMAROSS

Thanks for the post! That's ecactly what I got and I got about 1 turn so maybe I need 7.425 push rods. My cam only has .575 lift though? Should I need 7.425" pushrods? Well I'm about to pull the oil pan in a week or so for k member swap and to tap my drain for the turbo, il do the o ring then.Anyone one know where I can buy an O-ring for a slp oil pump? Or will a stock one work? Thanks.

studderin

iTrader: (28)

could also have the cam plate on the front leaking, or the rear cover.

did you check both heads, one side gets oil faster.

when you say "no oil coming out" do you mean the heads are dry, or not squirting out the pushrod cup holes in the rockers?

check the pushrods if they are getting oil in them, or if its still just assembly lube? are the lifter new? what the the oiling prep on the motor and the valvetrain on assembly and before startup

703 CAMAROSS

I soaked the lifters in oil over night and primed the engine before start there is oil but its very little after about a minute you started to see very little come out.

studderin

iTrader: (28)

so there is oil flowing, and getting up to the heads.

there not alot at idle, that sound like normal. rev it to were it has more pressure (3K) should be more oil flow, will take a few secs delay