454 Mystery

[lo72]

Ok I'm building a 30 over 99 454 using a zz502 roller cam lifters and 3/8s pushrods. New melling hi volume oil pump rings bearings etc. Now here's the problem I've primed the engine and I'm getting oil to the rockers on the drivers side but nothing, zip,nada to the rockers on the passenger side I turned the motor a number of times. I'm getting good flow to the drivers side but nothing to the passenger. I'm using an electric drill 800 rpms max. I have 40 lbs of oil pressure. I'm really stumped! Any help will be greatly appreciated .
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[gchemist]

What type of priming tool are you using?



You need one like this one. The bottom part seals the proper oiling passages to send oil to the entire block.

[lo72]

One just like your picture. Greg
Posted via Mobile Device

[Corts60]

There must be an alignment issue with your priming tool. That groove in the lower aluminum piece is there so that oil can flow around it. I'm guessing that that groove is not aligned properly in the block.

[gchemist]

Can you install the distributor hold down bracket? Is the top flat plate flush with the intake? Was the engine rebuilt?

[lo72]

Yeah I'm building the engine I haven't put the intake on yet though.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BigBlocksRule]

Are all the oil galley plugs in place?
Make sure the ones in the lifter valley are there...had a buddy who built one and left those out. Oil everywhere except where he needed it.

[lo72]

Yep all the plugs are in the galleys
Posted via Mobile Device

[76Charlie]

Did you check to make sure all oil gallies weren't plugged, like the crank, heads, etc?

[78maliburat]

Spin the crank

[lo72]

I've spun many times no change
Posted via Mobile Device

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Pull the plugs so there is no compression and add the distributor. And hook it up to a battery charger and crank it till some oil comes out the other side.

But honestly once the engine fires within 10 secs the lifters and rockers on both side will have planty of oil. This is why I usually use bearing grease on all surfaces just in case

You should be fine though. Just make sure your using zinc additive or break in oil too
Posted via Mobile Device

[lo72]

Thanks for the info!
Posted via Mobile Device

[lo72]

Solved the mystery. The intake port on the roller lifter has to face the oil galley in the block. I moved them and they are all oiling. Thanks for everyone help Greg
Posted via Mobile Device

[76Charlie]

Good news! always great to solve a mystery

[Newtz67]

Very helpful info. Any chance you could post a pic of the lifters the right way and wrong way?

[BigBlocksRule]

Wow, I'd never have thought it would matter in a pressurized galley.
Learn something every day, thanks for that!!!

[lo72]

Sorry I already put them back in. Just hold the lifter and turn it till u find the small hole in the side when you put it in the lifter bore make sure the little hole is facing to the rear of the block. You can see the oil galley in the lifter bore before you drop in the lifter. This only applies to roller lifters because the don't turn in the bore as flat tappet lifters do. My bbc is a 99 roller motor the oil flow in the oil galley is rear to front. Thanks again for all the input. Greg
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[Newtz67]

Originally Posted by lo72

Sorry I already put them back in. Just hold the lifter and turn it till u find the small hole in the side when you put it in the lifter bore make sure the little hole is facing to the rear of the block. You can see the oil galley in the lifter bore before you drop in the lifter. This only applies to roller lifters because the don't turn in the bore as flat tappet lifters do. My bbc is a 99 roller motor the oil flow in the oil galley is rear to front. Thanks again for all the input. Greg
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

Ya, I know what your saying, pics are always good though. I was just hoping you had pics for a visual if anyone needed it. Oh well thanks.

[BigBlocksRule]

This still doesn't make sense to me.
Flat tappet lifters rotate, but not very fast. This would mean that they weren't properly oiled except when the hole is facing the direction of oil flow.
I've built several 350's and a few 454's with OEM roller lifters. I never paid any attention to the direction the oil hole was facing, but there's not a chance that they're all in facing the right direction. Not with a 50/50 chance.
I think something else you did either fixed it or there was a big air bubble or something blocking flow to that side.
No matter, it's fixed now and that's the main thing.

[Newtz67]

Ya I kinda had a question there too, just didn't have time to post it. If you're running roller lifters, they have the linkage between them right? Why on one side would you have the linkage towards the valley and on the other side have it towards the cylinders? I'm kinda confused on what your saying here, that's why i asked for pics. I'm not building a roller assembly right now but I'm just not sure where the confusion is at...With a non roller lifter motor they do spin and get oil accordingly. On the roller lifters they are stuck in one position. Sounds to me like you don't actually have roller lifters. Of course, I have never built a motor this new soooo, I just don't know...

[lo72]

I have roller lifters all right. They are gm lifters that have a retainer to keep them from rotating. I know the aftermarket rollers have a bar. Gm doesn't use that style.
Posted via Mobile Device