commando1
Old Man with a Hat
I don't think the drill priming method gives you enough pressure where it would read on a mechanical gauge.
And are you spinning the drill CCW??
And are you spinning the drill CCW??
Newby Newport!
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I just primed one last week and turning it with a drill did make the gauge respond. I wouldn't be so quick to give up on it though. Pull the valve covers and turn the engine over a few revs while priming in order to thoroughly line up all the passages and inspect for oil at the top.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
EXCELLENT point . It's rare the that oil passages line up on the first shot. Gotta keep "bumping" the engine to find the sweet spot. Good reminder, Matt.
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
Good suggustion Matt. The drill may not turn the pump fast enough to show a guage reading. Fresh oil at the rockers will let you know if the pump is working OK.
Thanks for the advice guys! This is my first big block, so bear with me. I've rebuilt small blocks and dare I say, Pontiac engine. Never had a priming issue like this. They always spewed oil when I put the drill to it. I will give it another shot and rotate the engine while I do. Again, thanks alot! I will update after I try again.
Yes, Commando on the CCW. You know how your drill for lack of a better word, "bogs" down some when it starts pumping? I'm not getting that with mine.
Well, After removing valve covers, rotating engine while priming pump, Still no oil. So I've decided to pull the 383 and do a rebuild on it. Thinking about going with a color change also, so while the engine is out painting the engine bay. Not sure what color I want yet. Figured I might as well go all out at this point.
monaco75
Senior Member
One thing always turns into another. Thats why the "keepers" are never done. Good luck with it. Look forward to some pics of the progress.
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If you're going to rebuild it anyway I'd fire it up with an oil pressure gauge on it for 30 seconds and see if you get any pressure.
Good point Matt! Curiosity would be overwhelming for me too. I might drop the pan first to see if there's anything going on with the oil pickup. You never know...
Well after pulling the valley pan I found this. Looks like insulation? It's wrapped around the bottom of the push rods and no telling whats in the pan and all the oil galleys. also found this "nest" in the heat crossover. No wonder I didn't have any oil pressure!
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
Insulation was used between the valley pan and the underside of BB intake manifolds.
That's what I thought, but somehow it found it's way underneath the pan lol.
Red63440
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You just never know what you are going to find..........
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I bet it would have run and built pressure but a rebuild at this point looks necessary.
70NPORT
Old Man with a Hat
That is nasty. No better excuse now to go thru it all.
polara71
Old Man with a Hat
It found its way in there by a critter making a nest
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
What did the valley pan look like? It shouldn't have done that but obviously it did.
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The valley pan was clean and solid. Did not have insulation between it and the intake.
Is the material in the valley synthetic or is it natural wood sticks and leaves?
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