Start up of engine not fired in about 4 years.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 20, 2008 | 06:45 PM

55chevy

Thread Starter

TECH Apprentice

iTrader: (6)

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 394

Likes: 1

Start up of engine not fired in about 4 years.

I purchased a '01 engine that has not been fired up in 4 or 5 years. The guy I got it from said he turned it over monthly by hand. I did the same and recently I did a PP stage II head, comp cam (224/114), ls2 chain and ported oil pump upgrade on it. I wiped the cylinders down with mobil1 and poured it over the chain and valve trane and turned it over with the starter.

What else can I do to make sure the engine is lubed good and ready to crank (hopefully) in a few weeks? I have an electric oil pressure gage and I did not see any pressure come up while I was turning it over and that kind of worries me.

I do have a manual oil pressure gauge I could connect temporarily if that is recommended.

Thanks,

Jan 20, 2008 | 06:51 PM

99mongooSS

TECH Resident

iTrader: (4)

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 781

Likes: 2

From: Denton, Tx

thats what i would say put a mech. gauge on it for now.

Jan 20, 2008 | 06:57 PM

55chevy

Thread Starter

TECH Apprentice

iTrader: (6)

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 394

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99mongooSS

thats what i would say put a mech. gauge on it for now.

Should it show pressure before it cranks?

Jan 20, 2008 | 10:42 PM

hirdlej

TECH Junkie

iTrader: (31)

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 3,453

Likes: 0

From: Minneapolis, MN

The motor is fine. Install the motor, before starting it leave the plugs out and turn it over until you get oil pressure if it worries you. Then install plugs, fire it up and enjoy. I've started motors that have literally not been run for 10 years without priming them and ran the snot out of them. Never saw a problem with it.

Jan 21, 2008 | 07:33 AM

98Camarod

11 Second Club

iTrader: (43)

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 5,364

Likes: 2

From: Summerville, SC

You can unplug the coil packs to prime the oil pump. It makes it easier than removing the plugs. Plug them back in and you should have oil pressure within a few seconds register on the gauge. If you have the access to the rear of the engine right now, make sure the rear galley plug is in though. Its in the bottom left.

Jan 21, 2008 | 08:14 AM

vettenuts

TECH Senior Member

iTrader: (4)

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 8,092

Likes: 13

From: Little Rhody

I read in another thread where someone had converted their Motive brake bleeder to prime the motor, he hasn't provided the "how to" though. When I turned mine with no plugs and the fuel shut off, it took a few cranks before the oil pressure came up.