350 no oil - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CAJ68 · 05-11-2005, 11:48 PM

started my 350 today for the first time. worked on the timing and noticed no oil pressure. killed it. forgot to prime the pump. took both valve covers off. no oil on both sides. put the the drill to it. got plenty oil out of all pushrods on drivers side, nothing on left bank,bone dry. ran drill for a long time nothing. dont think i ran motor long enough to hurt anything. never really got it to stay runnin long enough to get timing right. why no oil on left side?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-12-2005, 07:52 AM

If you did not have a distributor or distributor body in place then you could have this problem.

Jim

chickenwing · 05-12-2005, 09:20 AM

I remember seeing this while browsing a magazine article. Would you elaborate Jim? What is it about the oil passages that require a distibuter to pressurize both sides?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-12-2005, 12:59 PM

I believe that I have an engine that is open, so I will try to take a pic later to show why this works as it does.

Jim

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-12-2005, 08:58 PM

Here are a couple of pics. The first one is the hole in the block where the distributor fits down into. If you look you can see a smaller hole in the side of the distributor hole. This is the oil galley for the right side lifter bank, (passenger's side). With the distributor out, the oil will come out of the hole shown and simply run down into the engine.

Not shown but directly accross from the oil galley hole is the continuation of the oil galley. If you look at the second picture, notice the 3/8" groove that is close to the bottom of the distributor. When the distributor is in place this groove provides the route for the oil as the distributor body seals below the galley and above the galley.

The distributor shown has been modified for use in spinning the oil pump so that the oil galley will function as it should.

Hopefully I have not confused anyone.

Jim

Brainchild · 05-12-2005, 09:06 PM

wow learn something new everyday.Thanks Jim.

chickenwing · 05-13-2005, 09:05 AM

ahhhhh..... I see now. Thank-you! Could I see the top of your modified distibuter please? would like to make one.

68w/sbc406 · 05-13-2005, 09:08 AM

my buddy just cut the shaft off of a dizzy to prime one. we have never used it but now i think i need to tell him to make a new one. this place if full of info

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-13-2005, 11:04 AM

I will post a pic of the whole distributor, later.

Jim

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-13-2005, 07:59 PM

Here is a picture of the reworked points style distributor. The advance mechanism was removed and the upper shaft turned down to 3/8" so a 3/8" drill could be used. On the lower end the teeth were machined off so the gear would not contact the cam gear. The shaft is not held into the housing but it does not have to be. Works on small and big block engines.

Jim

68w/sbc406 · 05-13-2005, 08:05 PM

i was wondering what to do with that old points dizzy i have

Sweet72 · 05-13-2005, 08:28 PM

Awesome idea Jim, FAQ submission?

chickenwing · 05-16-2005, 09:41 AM

I have no access to a lathe and probably not the skill to operate one either.

I can probably weld something to the top end for the drill...

Bottom side. Isn't the drive gear held on with a roll pin? Can that be remove in lieu of turning it down?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-16-2005, 10:49 AM

Chickenwing,

You can remove the gear. The gear acts as a sleeve to keep the shaft pump shaft centered onto the distributor shaft so it is probably a good idea to keep the gear, (or make a sleeve out of the right size pipe).

Jim

chickenwing · 05-16-2005, 12:02 PM

Thanks. Think I could just grind it down?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-16-2005, 12:16 PM

Grinding will work as it is just clearance that you need. Just be sure that all the grinding dust is cleaned up.

Jim

05-11-2005, 11:48 PM	#1
CAJ68 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 80	350 no oil started my 350 today for the first time. worked on the timing and noticed no oil pressure. killed it. forgot to prime the pump. took both valve covers off. no oil on both sides. put the the drill to it. got plenty oil out of all pushrods on drivers side, nothing on left bank,bone dry. ran drill for a long time nothing. dont think i ran motor long enough to hurt anything. never really got it to stay runnin long enough to get timing right. why no oil on left side?

05-12-2005, 09:20 AM	#3
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	I remember seeing this while browsing a magazine article. Would you elaborate Jim? What is it about the oil passages that require a distibuter to pressurize both sides? __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

05-12-2005, 08:58 PM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Here are a couple of pics. The first one is the hole in the block where the distributor fits down into. If you look you can see a smaller hole in the side of the distributor hole. This is the oil galley for the right side lifter bank, (passenger's side). With the distributor out, the oil will come out of the hole shown and simply run down into the engine. Not shown but directly accross from the oil galley hole is the continuation of the oil galley. If you look at the second picture, notice the 3/8" groove that is close to the bottom of the distributor. When the distributor is in place this groove provides the route for the oil as the distributor body seals below the galley and above the galley. The distributor shown has been modified for use in spinning the oil pump so that the oil galley will function as it should. Hopefully I have not confused anyone. Jim Attached Images Last edited by JimKshortstep4x4; 05-12-2005 at 09:01 PM.

05-12-2005, 09:06 PM	#6
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	wow learn something new everyday.Thanks Jim. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

05-13-2005, 09:05 AM	#7
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	ahhhhh..... I see now. Thank-you! Could I see the top of your modified distibuter please? would like to make one. __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

05-12-2005, 07:52 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	If you did not have a distributor or distributor body in place then you could have this problem. Jim

05-12-2005, 12:59 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I believe that I have an engine that is open, so I will try to take a pic later to show why this works as it does. Jim

05-13-2005, 09:08 AM	#8
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	my buddy just cut the shaft off of a dizzy to prime one. we have never used it but now i think i need to tell him to make a new one. this place if full of info __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

05-13-2005, 11:04 AM	#9
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I will post a pic of the whole distributor, later. Jim

05-13-2005, 07:59 PM	#10
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Here is a picture of the reworked points style distributor. The advance mechanism was removed and the upper shaft turned down to 3/8" so a 3/8" drill could be used. On the lower end the teeth were machined off so the gear would not contact the cam gear. The shaft is not held into the housing but it does not have to be. Works on small and big block engines. Jim Attached Images

05-13-2005, 08:05 PM	#11
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i was wondering what to do with that old points dizzy i have __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

05-13-2005, 08:28 PM	#12
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Awesome idea Jim, FAQ submission? __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

05-16-2005, 09:41 AM	#13
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	I have no access to a lathe and probably not the skill to operate one either. I can probably weld something to the top end for the drill... Bottom side. Isn't the drive gear held on with a roll pin? Can that be remove in lieu of turning it down? __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

05-16-2005, 10:49 AM	#14
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Chickenwing, You can remove the gear. The gear acts as a sleeve to keep the shaft pump shaft centered onto the distributor shaft so it is probably a good idea to keep the gear, (or make a sleeve out of the right size pipe). Jim

05-16-2005, 12:02 PM	#15
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Thanks. Think I could just grind it down? __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!



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05-16-2005, 12:16 PM	#16
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Grinding will work as it is just clearance that you need. Just be sure that all the grinding dust is cleaned up. Jim

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