Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New Engine - No oil pressure

[Cliffman]

Just finished installing the newly rebuilt engine in my 01. Cranked'er up and no oil pressure. Checked with an oil pressure gauge and only about 5psi. Pulled the oil supply line off the top turbo (twins) and oil did pour out but not streaming out like it should.



We're looking for all possible reasons for the loss of oil pressure. Please note that I have relocated my amsoil oil filters to the frame rail with about 8' of hose going in and 8' going out.



One possible reason we are considering is there are 2 oil passage plugs on the front of the block. 1 behind the timing gear and 1 behind the oil pump that may have been missed/left out by the machine shop.



All suggestions are welcome.



Thanks in advance

 

[Cliffman]

Come on now, someone surely has some thoughts on this subject...

 

[BPonci]

There are 2 different style gaskets for the oil cooler. I style is sump to pump and the other style is pump to sump. That will give you little to no oil pressure reading. Go to your local cummins dealer and give them your engine serial # and that will tell them witch one it will take.

 

[Cliffman]

Outstanding! We did have a bit of a dilemma regarding which gasket to use. I'll make that call to Cummins now...

 

[JFaughn]

Don't forget to spin the oil pump with drill by the distributor shaft ...

 

[GAdams4570]

When I've rebuilt engines I pack the oil pump with vaseline to prime the pump. I think that this is a standard procedure. Good luck!
Greg

 

[BWagnaar]

Cliff, I got a nitrous fed small block mopar you put in there:-laf



That sucks though, well I know one thing... . You're getting good at R&R these engine

 

[Cliffman]

At this point we are at a complete lose as to why we have no oil pressure. This rebuild is a "block swap" due to a cracked 53 block. We used all the parts off the 53 block to the used Mexican block except the main bearing caps of course. The 53 block MFG date was 11/00. The new Mexican block is a late model 24 valve 2nd gen. We think a 2002.



Below is a list of what we have checked.



1) After installing the engine we started it and ran for 30-45 seconds. No pressure on the instrument panel gauge. Repeated startup and let run for 15 seconds 3 additional times. Still no pressure on the instrument panel gauge.



2) Pulled turbo feed line to verify flow. Visual low pressure confirmed.



3) Check with oil pressure gauge on the filter housing. 4-5 psi



4) Checked filter housing gasket. Correct gasket is verified



5) Removed gear cover to check oil journal plug above cam. Plug is verified



6) Removed oil pump, verified it is within gap tolerance and the correct pump.



7) Checked pressure regulator. Verified not stuck



8) Removed Amsoil dual filtration system and installed standard filter on the housing. Start up and let run for 15 seconds. No pressure on the instrument panel gauge



9) Removed filter housing to check for foreran debris. No debris found.



What else could it possibly be???

 

[Roverboy]

Are you getting any flow? Is the oil foamy? I am thinking maybe the oil pickup tube is loose or has no gasket.

 

[jhoughton]

As Roverboy said, can you be sure the pickup tube is tight and has the gasket? I have also replaced my block due to the 53 crack. My current issue is a small exteral oil leak on the side of the engine.

 

[Cliffman]

Well guys, I think we might have it figured out. Bolted up the ole 53 block on the stand and gave it another look see. Turns out that there's another oil plug behind the rod cover. This oil journal feeds the front main bearing. Now, I just happen to have pictures of the new block (Mex) with the rod cover off and it sure looks like that plug is missing. You be the judge. The first 2 pics are of the old block (53 block) and the last 3 pics are of the new block (Mex) built and installed. The plug in question is the small one on the lower left side.

 

[Cliffman]

Yes, we are sure the oil pickup is tight and has the correct gasket. Thanks!

 

[Cliffman]

As Roverboy said, can you be sure the pickup tube is tight and has the gasket? I have also replaced my block due to the 53 crack. My current issue is a small exteral oil leak on the side of the engine.

Which side of the engine???

 

[BPonci]

Upper main bearing on the block side or the cap side? I had a customer assemble his engine and put the upper main bearing on the cap and the lower on the block. All sitting on a engine stand. Bad Ju Ju.

 

[jhoughton]

Cliffman, It's on the driver side looks to be coming from above the starter. I'm waiting for better weather and I will pull the starter and look at replacing the rocker box gasket and hope that does it.

 

[Cliffman]

Cliffman, It's on the driver side looks to be coming from above the starter. I'm waiting for better weather and I will pull the starter and look at replacing the rocker box gasket and hope that does it.

Could also be the gasket behind the lift pump bracket. I would check that first as it's much easier to access. Removing the rod cover/rocker box cover is much more involved. You’ll have to pull the injection pump to remove that cover!

 

[Cliffman]

That was itOo. Oo. Oo. Now all I have to do is install the plug and put're back together. Can't believe the machine shop forget to re-install that plug.