mtjoy

iTrader: (11)

I just finished a heads/cam install and was trying to prime the oil pump by cranking the car with the plugs removed/coils unplugged/fuel pump relay out, etc. How long do I need to crank the motor to prime the pump? I've turned it over for a combined 30 secs or so but I'm not seeing any oil at the rockers.

fast377

iTrader: (52)

Not long, but you have to hit the key and hold it. Shouldn't take anymore than 10-15 seconds. I usually hold it until the gauge starts reading good pressure.

mtjoy

iTrader: (11)

That's what I was afraid of. I'm not seeing any oil pressure. Must be the o-ring on the pick-up tube.

conan

iTrader: (5)

Mine took about 10-12 seconds to build oil pressure. Also if you have your rocker covers off dump oil on the rockers and down the push rods to the lifters so you now they are lubed when turning the engine over.

mtjoy

iTrader: (11)

Should I be seeing oil at the rockers? I hooked up hp tuners and didn't see any oil pressure there either.

conan

iTrader: (5)

Yes you should see oil on the rockers and in the top of the head.

mtjoy

iTrader: (11)

Okay thanks for the info. I just pulled the oil pump back off. Before doing so I turned the engine over with the front cover off and saw oil seeping down from the drive gear onto the crank shaft snout. Should it be doing that?

mtjoy

iTrader: (11)

Here's a pic to clarify:

mtjoy

iTrader: (11)

I pulled the oil pump off and the o-ring didn't look damaged at all so I'm not sure why I wasn't getting oil to the top of the motor. Any ideas?

SLOW 94 LT1

iTrader: (4)

I didn't actually check under my valve covers before firing mine up, but I did crank it over in 3 10-12 second intervals. My gauge never showed oil pressure while cranking which was odd, but I went ahead and gambled after plugging in the injectors. Fired right up and had great oil pressure. If everything with your oil pump seems fine and you're 100% sure you did nothing wrong, I'd say fire it up.

Edit: I oiled up my o-ring with STP Oil Treatment and also put some oil in the pump itself and then bolted it up. If you lube up the o-ring it should slide right in with no issues.

darkside98

iTrader: (10)

when i did a complete engine build i didn't see oil pressure when i cranked it either, but when i started it about 3 sec into running it had great oil pressure, so dont panic if it doesnt have pressure for a couple of sec when you first start it

mtjoy

iTrader: (11)

Thanks for the info guys.