Just built a new motor and tried to prime the oil pump and didn't get any oil pressure after about a minute of crank time (on and off for 15 secs or so). I have a TSP ported LS6 that has about 3000 miles on it and new o-ring. I made sure the sending unit was plugged in, and tested the continuity of the wire to the pcm and that's good. The sender has about 5000 miles on it and is about a year old. What are the reasons for not getting any oil pressure on a new build? It would be nice to get a game plan before I start taking anything back apart.

 

You might have a bad sender or a pinched o-ring on the pickup tube. How about putting a aftermarket gauge/sender on to check (if the OEM one is bad). Many problem are due to teh pinched or incorrectly seated o-ring.

Did you check the Rockers to see if any oil has made its way up there, is the oil filter full or empty?

 

I thought a pinched o-ring caused little oil pressure? I've read on here that if you have zero oil pressure it's either the pump or sender.

 

I know I put the galley plug in on the back but I didn't do anything for the front galley hole. I just went and looked and my old aluminum block has a freeze plug lookin deal for the front. Do the cast iron blocks have the plug for the front to?

 

i always pack my oil pumps with transjel to aid priming.


another trick is to fill the crankcase with about 12qts of oil and crank on it.

 

I packed mine with vaseline. Only filled it with 6 qts. though. I don't think adding 6 more qts. will help though.

 

youre wrong, unless something else is the matter. by adding 6-8 more quarts, you submerge the pickup. the idea behind vaseline is to create a vacuum in the pickup.


are you sure the pickup is in place? is the o-ring torn? seen that happen before.

 

I pulled the front cover back off and there wasn't a plug or plunger in that oil passage hole. I guess I'll see Monday if I should put a plunger or plug in.

 

I finally got the plug for the front, but before I put it in I turned the motor over 3-4 times and plenty of oil came out the hole. So I know the pump is good and most likely the o-ring so I went ahead and hammered in the plug. I tried priming the motor again (about 30 secs. of crank time) and the gauge never moved. I pulled the valve cover off afterwards and the head was pretty dry.

Any ideas?

I'm thinking the plunger might have popped out the hole in the back or a bearing spun not allowing oil to circulate through the motor. There is a squeak whenever I turn the motor over that kind of sounds like a squeaky pulley but my belt isn't even on. And it only squeaks once every revolution of the motor.

 

I just got done with my build about 2 weeks ago(got a lot of crap because i work in a ford dealership,lol). I only lubed up the pump with some oil and actually pored some in the pickup tube just for second measure. I actually sat with mine cranking it for about 2 or 3 minutes on and off before any pressure showed up on my gauge. I would be wondering about that squeak u mentioned tho.