oledave60

I am trying to pre-oil my just rebuilt stock 350. I'm using a modified old distributor and 3/8th drill with plenty of rpm's. I have a pressure gauge just above the oil filter and it shows just over 50lbs, but I have no oil to any of the rockers.

I did a search and read a lot of post, but didn't find an answer. What should I do next?

Thanks, Dave.

Peterbuilt

How long have you been at it?

oledave60

I've run it about 4 or 5 times for about 2 minutes each time.

C3Paul

Turn the crank over by 90 deg and 180deg and try again.

You need to match holes in the crank with holes in the block

mds3013

Dave. When you stop the drill does the pressure go to zero? Dumb question but are you going clockwise when looking from above the drill? Have you adjusted the valves yet and if so what procedure did you use? When I recently did the same to mine I got oil to all in about 20sec.. Some of the guys say you do not need to do this if you used assembly lube during the rebuild. I always do just to be sure. mike...

dannyman

No cordless, use electrical driven drill, only.

oledave60

The pressure does go to zero when the drill is stopped. I am going clockwise. The valves are adjusted useing the finger turn method and then 1/2 half turn. I followed the Haynes manual doing half the valves at #1 and half at #6. I just rotated the engine 90, 180, 270 and 360 and have oil at 3 rockers.

Would it make any difference if the lifters were moving? Thanks, Dave.

Mark Riles

Try a corded drill, for longer than 2 minutes, and have a friend rotate the crank as you prime.

daanbc

I just did this for my pre- break in cam 3 days ago. You need to rotate the crank a bit then retry. It should only take a few seconds before you see a small amount of oil coming up in the valves.

jordan89

oledave60

Got side tracked with yard work, but now back on the job. Tried turning crank and still nothing. I put the gear drive distributor in, hooked up battery, remote starter switch and spun the engine several times and still nothing. Next I'm going to re-adjust the valves and check each push rod to be sure it is open. Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks, Dave.

MelWff

You state you did half the valves at #1 firing position and the other half at #6 firing position which are 1 complete revolution away from each other. So why then do you mention you rotated the engine 90, 180, and 270? Did you do anything at any of those positions? Others may confirm this but if you colapsed the lifters I dont think you will get oil to the rockers?

oledave60

It was suggested that I rotate the engine 90 degrees, 180 and try the drill at each position. I did this thru 360 with no results.

I just had a bad flash back. When I installed the crank bearings I don't remember there being a hole in the block side bearing. I feel sure the the upper and lower bearings were the same. This is a 80-85 CE 4 bolt truck engine. Should the block side bearing have a oil hole in it? I got the complete rebuild kit from Summit. Thank, Dave.

MelWff

yes the hole in the bearing aligns with the hole in the block

oledave60

If there is no hole in the block side bearing would this be my problem? Thanks, Dave.

TimAT

Yes. Once the assembly lube goes away there will not be any "new" lube to the bearings. As the crank rotates, the oil holes in the main journals line up with the holes in the block/bearings and gives it all a new shot of oil. The holes in the crank are drilled thru to the rod journals too. That's where the rods get their oil.

Jclgodale3

Umm, I think you would scorch the journals on the crank very very quickly if this were the case

oledave60

But my question is, If this is the case, would it prevent oil from coming up to the rockers?

surfertom

yes

oledave60

Trying to find a solution before pulling the engine I removed the intake manifold. Then moved pressure gauge to top of block and spun the pump. Still have 50# pressure and a very small trickle of oil coming down galley. Removed no. 1 exhaust lifter, spun pump and just a slight amount of oil is coming from hole that feeds the lifter.

Shouldn't there be a pretty hefty flow from this hole?