well.....another slow *** update. The intake gaskets i had were wrong, so went around looking for some today, no luck. I found all the fittings to block the oil sender stock hole, and a oil pressure fitting adapter to fit down on my Cts-v oil pan. All oil holes were now plugged up, I thought i will spin it over to get some oil pressure.......wrong. I dont know how long these pumps take to prime, but I turned it over a few more times than i wanted to, still nothing. I took the valley cover off and poured some oil in there to run down on cam and poured in the little oil holes. turned motor over with valley off to see if any would pump from the holes, none. Lifters still arent pumping up. List of things I KNOW: barbell is in the rear of block, I didnt remove it and look at it, but it was there and in a running truck, so I ASSumed it was good. The oil pump o ring had good grease on it and went right in with no struggle, it was snug, but wasnt loose fitting. I am positive it didnt roll up. The oil pump........I did not install new( i know, dumb maybe). Again, the truck only had 60 k on it at worst scenario. I installed it with no gasket to the block, the service manual shows it bolts right up. I am not sure on this, but i am thinking the boy who changed motor said the oil pressure was low, but the guy had ran in some deep water and had water in the oil and i ASSumed the low oil pressure was from the water that had gotten in the oil. Maybe I was wrong and the oil pump is bad????? I dont know and am about ready to sell it all and buy another small block ford and put back in. Any ideas guys???? Is there any thing I may be overlooking here? Diptick shows right about full. I am monitoring a mechanical gauge that was used with my other motor and a hard copper line from engine to gauge.

 

Tough to say since you used some old parts. Probably should have used a new barbell and oil pump since it seems there was history of low oil pressure.
I know others will say no, but I would always prime an ls engine before starting a new build. They can take time to build pressure otherwise.

 

New pump in now, greased it to make it prime quicker. Now I have pressure.....its a little high, but I got it.

 

What'd you grease the pump with? This could be why you're seeing high pressures.

 

Trans gel. Dissolves pretty quickly.

 

some pics