Generation III External Engine - first start up -no oil pressure,with remote oil filter

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started my 5.3 today, ran it twice in 5 seconds increments. I'm getting no oil pressure using a mechanical oil press gauge, pulled the valve covers- no oil in any of the rockers.

I'm running a 7qrt milodon pan and pick up tube with a remote oil filter, I was thinking I could have mixed up the oil lines to the filter. I pulled the filter it was filled with oil.

pickup tube- ring issue?

bad oil pump?

Unplug the coils and pull the fuel pump fuse, crank the engine over for 15-20 second with the starter see if the oil pressure comes up. When I rebuilt my 5.3L it took a bit to get oil pressure with the new melling pump.

^^^Yes, I cranked mine several times before pressure was achieved.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Also, I forgot to mention the motor has been sitting for an unknown amount of time with no oil.

oui

Thanks, I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Also, I forgot to mention the motor has been sitting for an unknown amount of time with no oil.

oui

If you still have the the valve covers off, I would dump oil on the rockers and down the push rod holes to the lifters.

If you still have the the valve covers off, I would dump oil on the rockers and down the push rod holes to the lifters.

indeed i did thanks.

I ran the motor a few times today in 10 second increments, pressure built to the gauge, fluctuating from 20-30 psi at idle, but still no oil come up the pushrods- I'm a bit afraid to run the motor any longer.

does it sound like a chunked up pickup tube o-ring?

I don't think 10 seconds intervals is going to get oil through the pushrods. After lifter/head swaps it seems to me like forever before oil gets to the top - at least 30 seconds or more.

When I redid my 5.3 it took nearly 2 mins of turning over I get oil to come out of the rockers.

I did the same,unplugged the coils and injectors.Cranked for 20second.Then stopped and waited a minute,cranked another 20 seconds and had 30psi oil before I fired up my lq4.Running the motor for 10 seconds is too short to build pressure and cycle through.If I were you I would prime it again with the covers off and see if oil come up.Then start it,some guys have 30-40psi on idle so thats not bad.I get 40psi at idle,if you rev and dont build up more pressure..I would be concerned.I get about 55-60psi in upper rpms on stock pump.

indeed i did thanks.

I ran the motor a few times today in 10 second increments, pressure built to the gauge, fluctuating from 20-30 psi at idle, but still no oil come up the pushrods- I'm a bit afraid to run the motor any longer.

does it sound like a chunked up pickup tube o-ring?

Are you letting the car start or just running over with the starter? As long as the fuel is off and the coils are unplugged your not going to hurt any thing. I just rebuilt my Yukons 5.3L this winter with a melling pump and ls7 lifters and it took 3-4 / 20-25 second cranks. It finally made about 50 psi at starter rpms.