Engine: No oil pressure 63 i6 ohv engine

[Garthok]

I recently put the engine back in my 63 Lark, thrilled to be able to start it after a long rebuild process. I packed the oil pump with Vaseline and used assembly lube on all the parts. After starting I had no oil pressure. To test for a faulty gauge I pulled the line off expecting oil to squirt out. It was dry. I pulled the oil filter off and it had a tiny bit of oil in it, but was definitely not full. This is after the engine has had a couple of minutes of runtime. Also a fair ammount of cranking with the plugs out (trying to get oil pump primed). As a last attempt before pulling the engine back out to investigate, I picked up a transfer pump and pumped oil into the oil gallery through the port just to the left of the oil pump. It seemed to flow easily, then I noticed an oil leak possibly from the timing cover. Never showed oil pressure. Any suggestions before I drain the oil and pull the engine back out?
Thanks,
Aaron

[Garthok]

One more thing, I pulled the oil pump to make sure I wasn't missing the key to spin the gears. While it was off I blew ~30psi air into the pickup tube hole and heard bubbling in the oil pan. I should probably try 1-2 psi to see if there is a leak in the pickup tube.

[Dwain G.]

How much of the assembly work did you do? If you are not certain the oil pressure relief valve was installed properly, remove the cap and take a look. Where did the main bearings come from? Do you know the part number? Do they have two oil holes in them; one centered, one offset?

[StudeRich]

If that is one of those Oil Pump Covers with the 1/8" pipe thread Hole and plug in it as some are, I would try Priming it with Oil this time before pulling the Engine.

[doofus]

Garthok, did you fill the oil filter? that is a small oil pump and if filter was empty it would some time to fill. Luck Doofus

[Mike Van Veghten]

For future reference -

Let nature take it due course and DO NOT fill the oil pump full of ANYTHING.
If you think about it, just like water, it finds its own level, no mater how many holes, passages, cavities it has to go thru. Oil does the same thing.
When you fill the oil pan with oil, within less than a minute (unless you use 70w oil!), the oil pump WILL become full of...oil.

Do you really think that the first thing that the bearings see is...Vaseline. A compound that has little to no lubricating when the high loads of an engine bearing is concerned...is a good thing.

Filling the filter is a good bet to double check. ALWAYS fill your filter (in ANY engine) before installing it onto the engine.

Mike

[Garthok]

I did the entire assembly myself, it is entirely possible I missed something in the re-assembly. I did fill the oil filter on my second attempt at priming the pump, the oil pump shaft is engaged with the camshaft and the key is in place, so the pump has to be spinning. I will check the relief valve, maybe it is stuck open or could be the source of that leak. There are several sources that recommended Vaseline to improve the pumps ability to draw up the oil on first start, if that advice is wrong, I wont do it again.

Thanks!
Aaron

[tsenecal]

Hopefully you can get it figured out without pulling the engine. You stated that it has a couple of minutes run time, so I really hope that your assembly lube was enough to prevent any damage. If you get it figured out, and the oil pressure runs normal, you may be fine. Please post the results. It's a pain to have to start over, but since you had it out once, you can get it done again.

[gordr]

The oil pump on a six is above the oil pan flange, so it will never fill by gravity alone. And I think even the ones on the eights are above the static oil level. My questions to Garthok: are you sure the oil pump is turning? Did you replace the oil pressure relief valve, and is it free to move on the spring? Did you remember to install the oil pickup strainer?

Maybe, when packing the oil pump with Vaseline, enough Vaseline got into the suction port to plug it against suction?

[studegary]

For future reference -

Let nature take it due course and DO NOT fill the oil pump full of ANYTHING.
If you think about it, just like water, it finds its own level, no mater how many holes, passages, cavities it has to go thru. Oil does the same thing.
When you fill the oil pan with oil, within less than a minute (unless you use 70w oil!), the oil pump WILL become full of...oil.

Do you really think that the first thing that the bearings see is...Vaseline. A compound that has little to no lubricating when the high loads of an engine bearing is concerned...is a good thing.

Filling the filter is a good bet to double check. ALWAYS fill your filter (in ANY engine) before installing it onto the engine.

Mike

The six cylinder oil pump will only fill with oil from the pan via gravity if you rotate the engine/car .

[leaurent]

My method
I use a pressure vessel (old brake bleeder) to inject 2 liters of oil into the circuit, which I connect directly into the oil circuit or into the oil pump.

[Garthok]

Well... I feel like an idiot. Dwain, you called it. I taped up the block to paint it, and forgot to re-install the pressure relief valve.

[Garthok]

I bought a small transfer pump that I will try that with, seems like a really good idea.

[StudeRich]

Glad you found the problem.
You know it's a bit funny, but I know some of us actually TRY to be Politically Correct = be courteous to others (sometimes!), by not suggesting stupid/obvious mistakes, but in this case Dwain took a chance anyway and it worked out well!

Where is that Capt. Obvious Icon/Picture anyway?

[Garthok]

I do appreciate all the help, Thanks Y'all! Now to make sure I didn't miss anything else important.