Need help Ticking and low oil pressure after cam install
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I just did a cam swap and i got really low oil pressure it will almost drop to 0 at idle if i tap the gas it will go up to about 20psi and will never get above halfway (40psi) on the gauge. The car is ticking really bad and it sounds like its coming from the driver side of the motor. I just finnished the cam install so i dont feel like diggin around in there again. there is another post that says it is the oil pump o-ring. is this most likely the problem. Thanks.
#3
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Do I have to pull the radiator out again or do you think i can get away with not pulling it. How can you tell if a lifter fell? I am almost positive none of them did but i am just wondering how to tell. I took the car for a ride cause i still could get like nearly 40 psi and it ran like a bat out of hell. THE TORQUE THE TORQUE! I just want to drive the damn thing. Does anyone have a part # for a new o-ring?
#5
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Newton, KS
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If i a lifter fell, the pushrod would have fell clear through. You would have definately noticed if that happened. I would just call a dealer for the o-ring. I ordered a new one through my local dealer. It was like $3.
#7
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
what would the cam retainer plate do. I reused the stock one. I havent heard of anyone getting a new one and I have never heard anything about the cam retainer plate causing problems.
Trending Topics
#8
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Newton, KS
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by fauxws6
Did you use a new cam retainer plate? If you re-used your old one this is suspect too.
#9
Restricted User
iTrader: (43)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I didn't see anything about you changing an oil pump. If you didn't touch the oil pump then I seriously doubt that is the problem. I had the same thing happen to me and I lost a motor. Check you cam bearings, if you scored one while you swapped the cams then that would probably be th eproblem. Or if coolant dripped into your oil while the front cover was off then a bearing may have been wiped out. It only takes a drop of anti freeze to toast a bearing. Don't make the same mistake I did. Fix it before the motor goes. If you see low oil pressure then there is a major problem.. Pull your oil dip stick and look for metal flakes in the oil.
#10
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: marietta ga
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
if you have pressure at all it is either a 1---- loose balancer bolt tighten the shi. out of it make sure it's to specs or 2-- an o-ring 1is easier to check 2 just pull the ft cover and pump
#13
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
yes I put in a ported LS6 oil pump thats why i am leaning towards the o ring. I didnt think you could really over tighten the crank bolt cause i am not that big of a guy and dont think i could get to 240 ft/lbs. I followed all directions from LS1Howto.com. I did think it was a loose rocker kinda at first but then I saw this thread https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/201761-attention-cure-ticking.html the combo of the ticking and lack of oil pressure made me think it was the o-ring.
#18
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The reason i bring up the retainer plate is this, taken from the hotcam install how to:
"The camshaft retainer plate has a gasket built on to it. It is a very good idea to replace it any time you have to disturb it since it seals off the oil galleries feeding the lifters. Reusing one that is damaged could result in loss of oil pressure and oil starvation to the valvetrain"
"The camshaft retainer plate has a gasket built on to it. It is a very good idea to replace it any time you have to disturb it since it seals off the oil galleries feeding the lifters. Reusing one that is damaged could result in loss of oil pressure and oil starvation to the valvetrain"
#19
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I put in a new oil ring this weekend after some major issues with dropping a wrench in the oil pan. I now have great oil pressure. I havent had time to drive it around but i took a short drive and the ticking was gone. I will update if the ticking comes back.
#20
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Commerce Twp, MI
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by fauxws6
The reason i bring up the retainer plate is this, taken from the hotcam install how to:
"The camshaft retainer plate has a gasket built on to it. It is a very good idea to replace it any time you have to disturb it since it seals off the oil galleries feeding the lifters. Reusing one that is damaged could result in loss of oil pressure and oil starvation to the valvetrain"
"The camshaft retainer plate has a gasket built on to it. It is a very good idea to replace it any time you have to disturb it since it seals off the oil galleries feeding the lifters. Reusing one that is damaged could result in loss of oil pressure and oil starvation to the valvetrain"
![The Judge](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_judge.gif)