[palmertree]

I built a 383 for a 91 Chevy truck primed the oil pump with a drill till oil come out the hole on top of the block but never could get the oil to come out to the rockers. I started the engine in the truck and let it run for 30 min reveing and warming tuning the timming etc. Then lifters on the drivers started tapping so I pulled off the timing cover and found no oil coming out of the 3rd, 7th, and 8th rocker driver side. Anyone know what my problem could be?

[MikeAhrado]

used or new parts?

[DoubleVision]

This is common. Recheck the valve adjustment on the rockers not getting oil.

[Custom10]

what is the oil pressure?

[palmertree]

Originally Posted by MikeAhrado

used or new parts?

All new Parts. I soaked the lifters in oil before putting the motor. The oil pressure is 40 to 60 lb. Oil sprayed across the fender and on me to my surprise on the lifters that worked. I checked one lifter to see if adjustment was correct. If it is out of adjustment on a hydraulic lifter would that make it not get oil to the rocker? I am afraid the lifters was not getting oil because I did not look to see for so long after I started the motor.

[palmertree]

I checked the Valve adjustment on the rest of the lifters there good Still not getting oil to lifter 3 and some oil on 4 none on 7 & 8 driver side

[DoubleVision]

Every time I adjust valves on engines that have thousands of miles on them there`s rockers that don`t get any oil at idle or it`s so little you can`t tell. If you don`t hear any death rattles from the lifters then I`d say pour some oil on the ones without, put the valve covers on and drive it.

[palmertree]

I just can't put the valve cover on and drive it till i see some kind of oil come out of it. what if something is plugged?

[lmsport]

Oil only travels up the push rod when the holes in the rocker arm and the push rod line up. Sometimes the timing or phasing of the holes may be wrong, especially if the push rod length is off. Some rocker arms have small oil holes to maximize the contact area on the push rod, but it does restrict the oil flow.

[palmertree]

I am taking DoubleVision advise I put the cove back on and will run the truck tomorrow to have the exhaust put on it. Hope the problem will fix its self after running it. I will post back to let you know what I find out.


thanks all for your help Lee Palmertree

[MRTS33]

Pull the push rods on those that are no pumping and blow them out. Thats easy enough to do.

[airboat]

If you used that black Molly Lube on the lifters and got a little bit in the lifter orifice it can take a Long time to work it out and get oil through the lifter. Last engine I primed for quite a while.. turning the crank 90 degrees every few minutes to ensure I had good flow. I don't like the thought of new part's running starved of oil either.

[airboat]

If you used that black Molly Lube on the lifters and got a little bit in the lifter orifice it can take a Long time to work it out and get oil through the lifter. Last engine I primed for quite a while.. turning the crank 90 degrees every few minutes to ensure I had good flow. I don't like the thought of new part's running starved of oil either.