im putting together a rebuilt ls1 that will have ported 5.3l and a texas speed 224/224. my question is can i soak my lifters and install them even though the engine will not get put in for a couple months? i just want to get it put together so i will know what else i need. just dont want the valve springs to collapse the lifters over a couple months. i know people crank engines up straight outta the junk yard and theyre fine, just want to know what would be ideal.

thanks,

mason

 

Good idea to soak the lifters but the ones that have cam lobe pressure on the lifters will collapse but that is no big deal. Once you start engine lifters will pump back up with the oil pressure. Make sure your pushrods are correct length and you will be good to go. Good luck.

 

Do search nice write up on how to build your own pressure lube system out of a bucket and old sbc oil pump.
Then you can properly pressure lube your engine before start up.

 

hmm, didnt think of using an old oil pump. i'll check that out. thanks for the replies.

 

you can use an old school oil pump on ls1...you can only use a specialy pressurized oil feed system since the oil pump is crank driven, you know since there is no distributor???

 

i meant you CANT use a gen1 oil pump

 

they were talking about to prelube the engine before startup.

 

I know, you can't prime an ls1 like an old school engine...you have to prime it by using a pressurized device sort of like a weed spray pump in order to push oil to top of the motor and prime it

 

Sbc pump in a bucket of oil and hose to block. Use 1/2 drill to pressure lube motor.

 

Now I see what your saying, that is actually I really good idea...never thought of that...def a good way to do it rather than spend money on another specialized tool you only use once in a blue moon...good post!

 

Now I see what your saying, that is actually I really good idea...never thought of that...def a good way to do it rather than spend money on another specialized tool you only use once in a blue moon...good post!

Are you connecting oil hose to the oil port near the filter?

 

"Priming" LS engines is a waste of time IMO. The oil pump spins nearly twice as fast as the SBC series 1 and the rotor design is far more efficient.
After install spin engine with starter with an oil pressure gauge attached. Verify oil pressure before allowing spark/fuel. It should work fine.

You should "pre-prime" the oil system during build up. Feed heavy (20-50w) engine oil into oil pickup while turning engine over (upside down on engine stand). This will provide enough oil "cushion" for the initial spin over with starter. I fill the oil fiter with oil before installing it (on everything).

You can install lifters now but long term storage may bleed some down. They will tap a bit after start up but probably not long...

You can alleviate this by loosening the rockers for storage...