Engine pre oil problem - no oil
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
Engine pre oil problem - no oil
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.
I did a search and read a lot of post, but didn't find an answer. What should I do next?
Thanks, Dave.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
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...
Last edited by mds3013; Mar 30, 2012 at 05:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
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.
Would it make any difference if the lifters were moving? Thanks, Dave.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
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.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
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.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,734
Likes: 2,582
Confused
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.
Would it make any difference if the lifters were moving? Thanks, Dave.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
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.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 20
From: Scroggins Tx
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?
Shouldn't there be a pretty hefty flow from this hole?