Demus

Just installed a new cam and had the heads ported. I cranked the engine over with the injector fuses pulled, just to get the oil pressure up, and I get none. I double checked inside the valve covers and there's no oil. I loaded the oil filter up with oil, so it should be almost instantaneous. I've cranked the engine for a total of 20 seconds over 3 times. Any thoughts?

shoebox

Did you reinstall the oil pump drive in the lifter valley? Also 20 seconds may not be enough time to get the pressure up. You sure won't see any oil under the valve covers just cranking it.

Demus

Yes. The oil pump drive was definitely installed, and torqued down. I actually watched the oil pump drive shaft turn as I turned the engine over by hand.

SS RRR

The starter does not have the ability to turn the pump fast enough to generate pressure into the tops of the heads.
What I would do is get yourself a right angle drill (regular drill is too large to fit under the cowl), either make or get an oil pump priming tool and go at it that way. Make sure the drill is on it's fastest speed. Once you start priming you may be able to see a bit of oil ooze into the rockers, but not much. You will be able to a tremendous amount coming out of the block where the oil pump drive shaft/tool is.
Is your guages fuse still hooked up? The only fuse you need to pull when doing something like that is the PCM. Of course, make sure the sending unit is plugged in.

ChevyTuffD.A.

I completly agree with Shoebox on this one. I have personally done this myself when i installed my new engine. If u cant remember if u or someone put it in or not then look around and see if its laying around, if not and your still not sure then be sure not to run that motor long with no pressure. If u know for sure u did put it in and u still cant get any pressure then make sure its seated all the way down. Peace, Dustin.

Demus

Maybe I should just start the engine. If the starter can't turn the pump fast enough to generate the pressure required all I'm doing is more harm than good.

Taking the intake off to prime the system sounds like a lot of fun. So much fun, I may just have to save it for another day when I'm not all funned out.

SS RRR

Not necessarily. I would've hoped you applied some sort of moly lube or equiv. on the cam journals. The starter with a good battery will generate oil pressure. Just not enough to go to the highest spots on the engine.
I would crank on it for a good 30 more seconds and see what happens.

Demus

Ok, problem solved. I stopped ***** footing around and started the engine. Oil pressure shot up in a split second. Now I have to trouble shoot this strange misses I'm getting. Damn does it sound good though. Currently running open headers :P

SS MPSTR

..from one issue to another. I can totally relate.

Oil pressure is a good thing...congrats on that

Demus

Thanks for the help guys, I would've been pulling the remaining few strands of hair out without you.

busta9876

I know you didn't have a problem with oil pressure after all, but does the dashboard/guages get power during crank??? I know sometimes during cranking some vehicles do a gauge test at that time. anyways. just my thoughts on that matter.

SS RRR

Yep. As long as the guages fuse is still in place.