Another engine priming thread
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Teching In
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Another engine priming thread 2004 Silverado 1500 - swapped in a rebuilt 6.0
I primed the engine on the stand using the bug sprayer method. Used an external filter setup, mechanical oil pressure gauge on the output side of the filter, and connected the output line to the oil pressure sending unit port near the back of the valley cover. I got the oil pressure up to 20 psi; occasionally rotated the engine by hand until I saw oil from all the pushrods. Took about 10-15 minutes. Engine sat for a few months afterwards.
Engine is now in the truck. No spark plugs or fuel pump relay, disconnected injectors and coil packs, and a fresh battery. Tried the on/off cranking method several times, no oil pressure. Left the key in the "on" position right after cranking so that the gauge would be functional. Hooked up the prime tool to the port above the oil filter (only one I could get to), primed engine again at 20 psi until I saw oil from all the rockers. Cranked engine with the starter, and saw 25 psi via the mechanical gauge on the second try. I verified that the cluster pressure gauge was working at the same time.
The engine lost some oil when I disconnected the prime tool. I finished putting everything back together the next day, and did the on/off cranking again since it had lost some oil. Back to zero oil pressure on the starter. Right now, I'm thinking fire it up since I've demonstrated that the engine was capable of making its own pressure once - seems like pump/pick-up o-ring, etc. must be ok. Shouldn't be any worse than what it would see after an oil change. Still, I'm a bit concerned about not making any pressure on the starter. What do you guys think about this?
I primed the engine on the stand using the bug sprayer method. Used an external filter setup, mechanical oil pressure gauge on the output side of the filter, and connected the output line to the oil pressure sending unit port near the back of the valley cover. I got the oil pressure up to 20 psi; occasionally rotated the engine by hand until I saw oil from all the pushrods. Took about 10-15 minutes. Engine sat for a few months afterwards.
Engine is now in the truck. No spark plugs or fuel pump relay, disconnected injectors and coil packs, and a fresh battery. Tried the on/off cranking method several times, no oil pressure. Left the key in the "on" position right after cranking so that the gauge would be functional. Hooked up the prime tool to the port above the oil filter (only one I could get to), primed engine again at 20 psi until I saw oil from all the rockers. Cranked engine with the starter, and saw 25 psi via the mechanical gauge on the second try. I verified that the cluster pressure gauge was working at the same time.
The engine lost some oil when I disconnected the prime tool. I finished putting everything back together the next day, and did the on/off cranking again since it had lost some oil. Back to zero oil pressure on the starter. Right now, I'm thinking fire it up since I've demonstrated that the engine was capable of making its own pressure once - seems like pump/pick-up o-ring, etc. must be ok. Shouldn't be any worse than what it would see after an oil change. Still, I'm a bit concerned about not making any pressure on the starter. What do you guys think about this?
It's common not to be able to see pressure on just the starter. I never bother priming an engine, and I usually have oil pressure within a second. I would just go ahead and fire that bitch up.
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From: Hurley, VA
When I built my 408 I cranked the engine with the plugs out and got oil pressure so when I done my LS1 I assumed the same. Didnt work that way. Ended up pulling the k member and oil pan for nothing lol.
pre-fill your oil filter...very important. With the oil pressure sensor removed, put a half quart or so of oil down the oil pressure sensor location. Might have to squirt in in, or use a small funnel. I do this before the engine goes in the car. Pull the spark plugs, and turn the engine over with the starter. Youll see 50 lbs or so within 8-10 seconds. Ready to fire.
I always build pressure with my starter, but heres my method...
pre-fill your oil filter...very important. With the oil pressure sensor removed, put a half quart or so of oil down the oil pressure sensor location. Might have to squirt in in, or use a small funnel. I do this before the engine goes in the car. Pull the spark plugs, and turn the engine over with the starter. Youll see 50 lbs or so within 8-10 seconds. Ready to fire.
Theres a video that used to float around this site from time to time, with a guy spinning an engine on a stand with a long breaker bar on the crank bolt, and every time he turns it, the manual oil pressure gauge hooked to it jumps up to decent pressure...I forget how much exactly.
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Teching In
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Fired it up today, oil pressure came up to 60 lbs in a few seconds. I put a stock pressure & volume pump in it; wonder if you're more likely to get pressure just cranking the starter if you have a high pressure/high volume pump.
Now I just need to track down a P0300 and P0171 code issue...
Thanks
Now I just need to track down a P0300 and P0171 code issue...
Thanks