BADFNZ

iTrader: (19)

My roomate had some Stage 2 heads put on his Z a few days ago. Last night he calls me and tells me that his oil pressure is at 5psi or so at idle, sometimes so low the engine stalls. So I tell him not to drive it anymore until we figure out the problem.

He's worried it's a main bearing, but I'm convinced it has something to do with the heads. There's no knock or any abnormal sound from the engine, but it does shake alot worse than usual. I just find it a huge coincidence that he gets new heads and then his oil pressure drops. So is there anyway possible that the heads could be causing this very low oil pressure?

Boostaholic

iTrader: (4)

Did you do anything else when you did the heads? What was the oil pressure before hand? Did you crack or break the oil pressure sending unit when removing the intake manifold?

More information would be useful.

BADFNZ

iTrader: (19)

With the heads cam new lifters, springs, the block was cleaned up. I thought about the oil pressure sending unit but that would give a 0 psi reading.

DaddySS

I assume he's not leaking and or just low on oil?

BADFNZ

iTrader: (19)

No leaks and the oil was changed when the heads were put on.

Boostaholic

iTrader: (4)

So you didn't touch the pickup line? Thats usually the main culprit (oring).

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

Dumb question: Are you sure you the heads are on the correct sides, and not blocking the oil passages?


-Mike

H82BBad

huh? clue me on this one.

y2khawk

iTrader: (5)

Heads are not direction, side to side. The only oil that gets to the top end is supplied through the pushrods.

Some head gaskets are directional, but that will only effect the coolant passages.

His oil pressure gets low enough to make the motor stall?? If that's true, that's bad

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

antifreeze leak thinning out the oil?

Ohio Bird of Prey

If this motor is an LS-1 then it is my understanding the heads can be used on both sides however the gaskets need to be on the correct sides.
Did your friend tear his oil pick up o-ring? I tore and replaced mine a couple of months ago when I did my H/C swap.

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

I wasn't sure if the heads were directional as well as the gaskets, and also wasn't 100% sure if it would have an affect on oil pressure. Hence the "dumb question" statement. Just thought I'd throw that out there.


-Mike

ls1fbod

That's low, umm.....What oil are u running? And check oil pump...

Jason99T/A

iTrader: (21)

Make sure you didn't damage the oil pressure sending unit. This is easily broke/damaged when the intake manifold is removed.

Gen3Benz

iTrader: (4)

He had the heads installed a few days ago but called last night.
Was the oil pressure ever in the normal range after the head install?

eallanboggs

iTrader: (1)

Just doing the heads should NOT affect the oil pressure unless a mistake was made during the install. This alone would not cause the crappy running symptom you describe. That sounds like a separate problem. You may not actually have low pressure, but one would think that if the sender or associated wiring was actually damaged you would read "0" psi not 5 lb. It sounds like you you have two problems to solve. Should have gone to LS1 How To before this install and you wouldn't be asking these questions

Gen3Benz

iTrader: (4)

It sounds like someone put the heads on for him.

BADFNZ

iTrader: (19)

Yeah I would have, if I put them on

Thanks for the responses everyone else.

Gen3Benz

iTrader: (4)

Have you found out anything?

MikeMs01TA

iTrader: (2)

Off topic, but I could have swore when I did my cam swap, that the hardened pushrods I put in weren't hollow like the stockers. It's been running for over a year now, so I guess things are OK? May have to peak under the covers this winter...