testing lq4: no oil at rockers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lookin4the1 · 11-19-2016, 01:36 AM

I have a 6.0 lq4 that i bought off craigslist a while back. I swapped the cam, replaced heads, new springs, oil pump, timing chain, push rods (7.4" TSP)

the bottom end is still stock and i inspected it for any damage or wear. looked good.

during final assembly i put 5 its into the motor through the top end and then rolled the motor over to see if i got any oil out of the push rods and into the rocker. NONE that i can see. What could be causing this issue? I just used the starter without plugs or coil packs while on the engine stand in order to check.

akdg87 · 11-19-2016, 02:09 AM

Did you pack the oil pump with assembly lube or that white grease ?

I just ran across this video the other day and will probably use this technique in the future. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=539ClWWJMl8

Mr.Chevy4x4 · 11-19-2016, 07:57 AM

Another thing to check is the o-ring on the pick-up tube. If it's the wrong one or damaged, the pump will pull air around it and not pull oil.

Mike

72MARIO · 11-19-2016, 06:28 PM

How long did you crank it over for ? My engine took 3-4 minutes to get oil pressure up to the rockers after draining all the oil and changing to the ctsv oil pan.

Bigdav160 · 11-19-2016, 06:45 PM

That's what I was wondering. It's hard to do just by cranking. You'd probably burn the starter out first.

homemade87 · 11-20-2016, 09:59 AM

I always did the cranking thing also and did not seem to get the results I would have liked to . I got to looking into it and gm recommends priming from the front lower plug on the drivers side . I got me a cheep 1 gal pump up garden sprayer and got an extra plug and drilled it for a barb fitting . Screwed it in and added oil to the sprayer and pumped away . After a few minutes I had oil coming out of the push rods . I now prefer this over the starter method . I just cant help from thinking the starter is taking a beating cranking on it that long .

**chev3600** · 11-20-2016, 01:12 PM

Totally agree with homemade87. After watching a few people crank their engine for several minutes with no oil up top, I used the pump garden sprayer and had oil in the rockers with 3qts and just a couple minutes.

Lookin4the1 · 11-20-2016, 06:24 PM

Thanks for all the responses guys. Im going to do the bug sprayer method. I ordered a few fittings to do it this week. what i'll probably do is drain the oil pan, fill the new filter and then pump 5 qts into it at the front driver side plug.

oh and I needed to change the starter anyway the previous owner broke one of the terminals off while pulling it out of the vehicle. I've got one waiting lol.

Lookin4the1 · 11-20-2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Chevy4x4

Another thing to check is the o-ring on the pick-up tube. If it's the wrong one or damaged, the pump will pull air around it and not pull oil.

Mike

O-ring isn't pinched I had heard of this problem before and made sure not to. I used the blue o-ring that came with my new oil pump.

davepl · 11-20-2016, 07:12 PM

I've never managed to get an LS motor to self-prime just from cranking. Only luck I've ever had is with a pressure-fed oiler.

11-19-2016, 01:36 AM	#1
Lookin4the1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 66	testing lq4: no oil at rockers I have a 6.0 lq4 that i bought off craigslist a while back. I swapped the cam, replaced heads, new springs, oil pump, timing chain, push rods (7.4" TSP) the bottom end is still stock and i inspected it for any damage or wear. looked good. during final assembly i put 5 its into the motor through the top end and then rolled the motor over to see if i got any oil out of the push rods and into the rocker. NONE that i can see. What could be causing this issue? I just used the starter without plugs or coil packs while on the engine stand in order to check.

11-19-2016, 02:09 AM	#2
akdg87 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fairbanks, ak Posts: 339	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers Did you pack the oil pump with assembly lube or that white grease ? I just ran across this video the other day and will probably use this technique in the future. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=539ClWWJMl8 __________________ build thread 1955 cameo turbo lsx 1993 K1500 Blazer 5.3/4L80e 2009 CTSV Sedan

11-19-2016, 07:57 AM	#3
Mr.Chevy4x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sims, NC Posts: 531	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers Another thing to check is the o-ring on the pick-up tube. If it's the wrong one or damaged, the pump will pull air around it and not pull oil. Mike __________________ All things Chevy truck: 1986 SWB "Jolene" boosted 5.3/4l80e project

11-19-2016, 06:28 PM	#4
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers How long did you crank it over for ? My engine took 3-4 minutes to get oil pressure up to the rockers after draining all the oil and changing to the ctsv oil pan. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

11-19-2016, 06:45 PM	#5
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers That's what I was wondering. It's hard to do just by cranking. You'd probably burn the starter out first. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

11-20-2016, 09:59 AM	#6
homemade87 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Guntersville Alabama Posts: 1,073	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers I always did the cranking thing also and did not seem to get the results I would have liked to . I got to looking into it and gm recommends priming from the front lower plug on the drivers side . I got me a cheep 1 gal pump up garden sprayer and got an extra plug and drilled it for a barb fitting . Screwed it in and added oil to the sprayer and pumped away . After a few minutes I had oil coming out of the push rods . I now prefer this over the starter method . I just cant help from thinking the starter is taking a beating cranking on it that long .

11-20-2016, 01:12 PM	#7
chev3600 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 444	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers Totally agree with homemade87. After watching a few people crank their engine for several minutes with no oil up top, I used the pump garden sprayer and had oil in the rockers with 3qts and just a couple minutes. __________________ 1949/1954 with LS swap-yeah! http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/i...0/AD%20trucks/jumbled mess of unorganized photos

11-20-2016, 06:24 PM	#8
Lookin4the1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 66	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers Thanks for all the responses guys. Im going to do the bug sprayer method. I ordered a few fittings to do it this week. what i'll probably do is drain the oil pan, fill the new filter and then pump 5 qts into it at the front driver side plug. oh and I needed to change the starter anyway the previous owner broke one of the terminals off while pulling it out of the vehicle. I've got one waiting lol.

11-20-2016, 07:12 PM	#10
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: testing lq4: no oil at rockers I've never managed to get an LS motor to self-prime just from cranking. Only luck I've ever had is with a pressure-fed oiler. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible



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