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Up-date On Bill C Engine Mods (not Good)

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Old May 8, 2008 | 09:17 AM
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Default Up-date On Bill C Engine Mods (not Good)

Well, its all back together! I up loaded some basic parameters into EFI Live and flashed them in (thanks for the help billdog350) I turned the key and it fired RIGHT up and idled well and sounded very strong. Open headers ROCK! I waited 15, 30, 60,,,,, 90 seconds for the oil pressure to build and ZILCH. I let it sit for a bit and fired it up again. Man it sounds good! No pressure. Well,, if you call 3 psi pressure.
So tonight is LACK OF OIL TROUBLESHOOTING NIGHT!

Here s what I know.

I was careful with installation of the O ring. Didn't looked liked it pinched

I primed the filter prior to installation.

No leaks

Oil pump was centered on the hub and reinstalled

Oil pressure sender was working fine prior to MODS and the wiring connector was not disturbed and is still plugged in.

Engine sounds really good (no weird noises (only ran it 90 sec max then a quick 30 sec re-check)

So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,i guess i be busy tonight!

Bill Curlee
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Old May 8, 2008 | 09:24 AM
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That sucks.. Keep us in the loop...
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Old May 8, 2008 | 09:26 AM
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Bill,

Did the lifters quiet down or get noisier? Might indicate whether they are getting oil.

Did you pre-lube the pump?
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Old May 8, 2008 | 10:01 AM
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Bill, glad to hear the "base" tune got you running well...but sucks about the oil issue! O-ring and oil pick up tube are the obvious points....also with all of the things you've done...did you check oil level? Sometimes people get distracted repairing lawn tractors and.......

Lets hope its something simple and not time consuming (oil pressure sender "happened" to crap out at the same time).....do you have a manual oil pressure gauge to check at your current oil pressure sensor location?

I'm not super familiar with Ls1 lubrication issues...hopefully some of the more seasoned veterans on the forum can speak up. I know the o ring is the issue 90% of the time from what I've seen. Did you re-use your o-ring or get a new one?
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Old May 8, 2008 | 10:13 AM
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Here are the directions from the GM ESI manual.

Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing

* Tools Required J 21867 Pressure Gage and Hose Assembly
* J 42907 Oil Pressure Testing Tool


Object Number: 416607 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
1. With the vehicle on a level surface, run the vehicle for a few minutes, allow adequate drain down time of 2-3 minutes and measure the oil level.
2. If required, add the recommended grade engine oil and fill the crankcase until the oil level measures full on the oil level indicator.
3. Run the engine briefly, 10-15 seconds, and verify low or no oil pressure on the vehicle gauge or light.
4. Listen for a noisy valve train or a knocking noise.
5. Inspect for the following conditions:
* Oil diluted by water or glycol - antifreeze
* Foamy oil
6. Remove the oil filter and install the J 42907 .
7. Install J 21867 or equivalent to the J 42907 .
8. Run the engine and measure the engine oil pressure.
9. Compare the readings to Engine Mechanical Specifications .
10. If the engine oil pressure is below specifications, inspect the engine for one or more of the following conditions:
* Oil pump worn or dirty Refer to Oil Pump Cleaning and Inspection .
* Oil pump-to-engine block bolts loose Refer to Oil Pump, Pump Screen and Deflector Installation .
* Oil pump screen loose, plugged, or damaged
* Oil pump screen O-ring seal missing or damaged
* Malfunctioning oil pump pressure regulator valve
* Excessive bearing clearance
* Cracked, porous, or restricted oil galleries
* Oil gallery plugs missing or incorrectly installed Refer to Engine Block Plug Installation .
* Broken valve lifters Repair as necessary
11. If the oil pressure reading on the J 21867 or equivalent is within specifications, inspect for the following conditions:
* Plugged or incorrect oil filter and/or malfunctioning oil bypass valve
* Malfunctioning oil pressure gage or sensor Repair as necessary.
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Old May 8, 2008 | 10:19 AM
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One warning, just in case you need to go in again, I believe the Powerbond requires a different puller.

Hopefully its something simple.
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Old May 8, 2008 | 10:19 AM
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I'm sorry to hear this Bill. I can feel your pain and frustration all the way up here near the MA border!

There was a thread about "low oil pressure" on the Forum awhile back.
It turned out to be a piece of debris in the oil pump relief valve,which caused it to stay partially open. Keep us posted.
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Old May 8, 2008 | 01:54 PM
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I'm bitting the bullet and getting a new pump/and O ring.

I used the old OEM pump and debated on whether i should have replaced it. Oh well,,,,, thanks Mr Murphy. for that education!

I'll have it apart tonight. Heres another question. Order and install an LS6 pump OR Order and install an LS2 pump ( LS2 pump takes a lot longer to get than an LS6 ZO6 pump.

Is there that much difference between the LS6 and LS2???? If so,,,what is the difference????

Thanks

Bill
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Old May 8, 2008 | 02:01 PM
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I have a friend that installed an LS2 in his '99 F-body, and he had no oil pressure to the top end either. He thinks his particular problem is a plug or plate back around the oil filter adapter (?). If I hear that he found out for certain what the problem was, I will pass it on to you.
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Old May 8, 2008 | 02:31 PM
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According to the GM Corvette catalogs, one oil pump #12586665 services all LSx engine from 97-09 exc the LS7.

Last edited by voda1; May 8, 2008 at 02:40 PM.
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Old May 8, 2008 | 02:36 PM
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Sounds like they've superceeded the previous part numbers with the latest revision. Of course the LS7 would be different since its a dry sump

New o-ring and pump, I vote that solves the issue! Good luck Bill!
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Old May 8, 2008 | 02:55 PM
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If you had the intake off make sure you didn't accidentally snap off the oil sender. Probably not the case, but it's an easy check before you tear into it.
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Old May 8, 2008 | 05:29 PM
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That oil galley plug is behind the engine and behind the bell housing. All I did was a heads,cam /intake swap with the engine in the car so, its not the issue. I also checked the oil sending unit a couple of times during intake install. Its intact and connected. I most likely pinched the O ring but, until I get my A$$ out in the garage and rip it down, speculation isn't going to get it fixed.

Thanks for all your support. I will keep you informed as to if I find a smoking gun!

Have a new Melling Oil Pump on order!

BC
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Old May 8, 2008 | 06:20 PM
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I liked the Melling 296 pump I put in my build. Great oil pressure! Wasnt to bad on price either. I wanted extra insurance on the motor.
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Old May 8, 2008 | 07:07 PM
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The Melling pump is an excellent choice.I put one in my Silverado truck
last winter, and it increased the oil pressure by 15-20 LBS.

The new pump and o-ring will be money well spent!
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Old May 8, 2008 | 07:20 PM
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Melling is the way to go. It is in all the ECS cars.


Bill - I assume that your tach and other things were working properly when you didnt see any oil pressure correct?

I just say that because one time after Doug did some last min tuning I started a car and didnt see any oil pressure. I shut it right down and said Doug there is no pressure. He said did you see if the other gauges worked and I said no so I started again and still nothing. He said disconnect the battery and reset everything. I did that and then everything worked. Doug mentioned that it happens once in a while.

I know I didnt pay attention to anything else except the oil pressure gauge and I hate for you to rip everything out when it could have been that.

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Old May 8, 2008 | 10:51 PM
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Bob

Thats the FIRST thing that I thought of and UNFORTUNATELY is not that or anything else simple that I can see. The good news is. I have the front of the engine torn down already and getting ready to un-bolt the damper. Oh what fun. I cant wait. The good thing is,,,all the components are quality and clean and that makes it somewhat bearable.

Sometime tomorrow I should have the cover off and the pump out. I will report the findings as sooooon as I get chance.

Thanks for all the support.

BC
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To Up-date On Bill C Engine Mods (not Good)

Old May 8, 2008 | 11:53 PM
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way to stay positive Bill. Keep us updated
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Old May 9, 2008 | 06:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Bob

Thats the FIRST thing that I thought of and UNFORTUNATELY is not that or anything else simple that I can see. The good news is. I have the front of the engine torn down already and getting ready to un-bolt the damper. Oh what fun. I cant wait. The good thing is,,,all the components are quality and clean and that makes it somewhat bearable.

Sometime tomorrow I should have the cover off and the pump out. I will report the findings as sooooon as I get chance.

Thanks for all the support.

BC
Well it was worth the question and sometimes you get lucky. I will check in later today and see how things are going.

BTW - so whats easier Vettes or Subs
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Old May 9, 2008 | 08:31 AM
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Bill,

How'd that adapter I sent you work out for the oil-pressure sender? Haven't tried mine yet.

Good luck!
Vaughn
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