02-03-2018, 11:28 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: burlington,iowa
Posts: 439
|
new rebuild 454
fired up my newly rebuilt 454, about 1973 series. have 50 psi on gauge for oil pressure but I don't see any oil coming to the heads. any ideas.
__________________
Tom in Iowa 68 L88 C10 68 4x4 C10 soon |
02-03-2018, 01:13 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bowser
Posts: 13,532
|
Re: new rebuild 454
Hopefully you primed the motor first.
If you did you’d have seen no oil then. Did you prime it? |
02-03-2018, 05:03 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Sitka AK
Posts: 37
|
Re: new rebuild 454
Priming helps the top end get oil before initial firing, but only if it's done with the right tool (or old dist modified to do the job). If he didn't prime, it only means it's going to take a few extra seconds to see oil out of the pushrods. Not a big deal at all if built with assembly lube.
To the OP - how long did you let it run after initial firing? |
02-03-2018, 06:36 PM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Posts: 974
|
Re: new rebuild 454
I like priming the oil pump, if for no other reason than to make certain that the oiling system is working properly prior to start up.
How did you confirm that no oil is coming to the heads? With valve covers off? How long was engine running before you shut it down due to not seeing oil come to the heads?
__________________
'59 Apache - 383" SBC/TH-350 '68 GMC - BBC/TH400 |
02-03-2018, 10:07 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: burlington,iowa
Posts: 439
|
Re: new rebuild 454
I did prime the engine with a priming tool for about 2 minutes and did not see any oil to the rocker arms. I started the engine and let it run about 5 minutes, oil psi at 50. but still no oil from rocker arms. today I loosened all rocker arm nuts 1 full turn. primed again and got oil thru 1 rocker arm. restarted and got nothing. yes engine was assemble with lube and oil was poured over all rocker arms before priming or starting. will pull pan tomorrow.
__________________
Tom in Iowa 68 L88 C10 68 4x4 C10 soon |
02-03-2018, 10:19 PM | #6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bowser
Posts: 13,532
|
Re: new rebuild 454
Could be a cam bearing in wrong.
What are you gonna check on the bottom end? |
02-04-2018, 11:02 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: burlington,iowa
Posts: 439
|
Re: new rebuild 454
The last time I started it, it did not have oil pressure. 15 years ago I had a oil pickup tube rotate above oil level. it was also a BB. I am just going to start over.
__________________
Tom in Iowa 68 L88 C10 68 4x4 C10 soon |
02-04-2018, 12:55 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: burlington,iowa
Posts: 439
|
Re: new rebuild 454
OK after priming with drill I can see a small amount of oil coming thru the push rods onto the rocker arms, and still have 55 psi oil gauge. How do I trouble shoot this?
__________________
Tom in Iowa 68 L88 C10 68 4x4 C10 soon |
02-04-2018, 09:45 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,442
|
Re: new rebuild 454
It usually takes me about 8-10 minutes with priming a big block to get all the air out of the galleys and lifters, especially with the larger pushrods
|
02-04-2018, 09:45 PM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,714
|
Re: new rebuild 454
It's probably OK. I pre-oiled my 427 last year and it took 20 minutes for oil to come out of all the pushrods! I was more than a little concerned. Spent a few minutes consulting the all-knowing Google and it seems that is not unusual.
I think you are OK, but search Google for Big Chevy slow to prime threads and read and see if it doesn't apply to you.
__________________
44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax |
02-06-2018, 07:06 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere"
Posts: 2,219
|
Re: new rebuild 454
Did you install a new oil pump on the rebuild? If so I wouldn't worry to much especially if your using a weak 3/8" drill motor to spin the pump. In this cold weather it's going to take longer to pump up. Welding or brazing the pick up tube to the pump will eliminate the chance of it vibrating loose and sucking air...I also tap and plug the spring loaded bypass on the spin on filter adaptor. PS. Use a 1/2" drill motor if you have one and if you rotate the crank it will help fill the lifters and get oil up to the rockers.
__________________
Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American" Last edited by Ironangel; 02-06-2018 at 07:25 AM. |
02-06-2018, 01:32 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: burlington,iowa
Posts: 439
|
Re: new rebuild 454
I took the intake off and can see oil and air bubbles coming out of the lifters. and I have 55 psi on the oil gauge. Oil is making its way to rocker arms, I was expecting to see oil squirt out like the small block chevys.. I will re-start later this week. Thanks for all the info
__________________
Tom in Iowa 68 L88 C10 68 4x4 C10 soon |
Bookmarks |
|
|