67 GS 400 and NO oil pressure.........

[Shakadula]

I think I really messed up. I pulled the motor and replaced all gaskets and seals. Put the motor back in and tried to prime the oil pump and now I have no oil pressure. I used vaseline too to pack the pump. Replaced the oil pump gears, spring and valve and still no deal.

To prime I am using the GM tool in a drill to spin the pump. I also put the distributor in and turned the motor over for 10 seconds and still nothing.

Is it possible to put the oil pump pickup tube in backwards where it is not in the oil. I don't think so cause I don't think I could get the oil pan back on. Does the hole in the valve need to be in a certain location?

I am at a loss!

[avgwarhawk]

Are you taking the pressure readings with a handheld gauge or depending on the light/dash gauge on the dashboard?

[60FlatTop]

We just had a low oil pressure problem with the freshly rebuilt 3.8 in my convert. Turned out to be the wrong timing cover gasket. The oil passage hole was blocked.

Bernie

[Shakadula]

Okay. 2 out of 2 responses stating the same thing. I could have screwed it up!

Thanks.

[Shakadula]

AVG. I hooked up a oil pressure guage in the engine compartment so I could see while I was priming.

Thanks,.

[avgwarhawk]

OK, so no faulty dash gauge or low oil light. I suspect the oil pick up can only be installed one way. Any new items installed that had a cover that is over a oil passage not removed before installation?

[Shakadula]

"Any new items installed that had a cover that is over a oil passage not removed before installation?"

Not following......I feel like even if I did reverse the timing cover gasket and cover a oil passage hole I would still get some kind of pressure to the gauge. Don't you think?

[avgwarhawk]

It's been a while since I did a T-chain on a 455. Around 23 years! I'm trying to visualize the cover again. I think the gasket can only go on one way. I would pull the oil pump and inspect the installation of the spring, etc. Repack with vasaline and try again.

[Shakadula]

You're right about the gasket only fitting one way as there are 2 location pivot points. You can't really screw that up.

I'll try the vasaline again as can't stand the thought of removing that oil pan to check that pump gasket but I may have to do it if this doesn't work.

I will also check timing cover for clearance to the block. Maybe I have an air leak there.

I am tired of working on what should be simple issues and not getting anywhere. Check my wiring harness posts. I am so mechnically declined!

Thanks for your help!

[Shakadula]

Just had another thought.......I replaced the spring and valve in the oil pump cover. The valve had a hole through it. Does that hole have to face the oil pump cover? I just installed it not thinking about the how the valve should face.

[60FlatTop]

In my recent case the gasket kit had the wrong gasket supplied. We had to take the timing chain cover off and match both surfaces to find the problem.
It wasn't obvious then, either. We had to really look.
Bernie
When its right you know it!

[old-tank]

I am tired of working on what should be simple issues and not getting anywhere.

So, what's your point? Do you think you are special or better than the rest of us?
Willie

[avgwarhawk]

Just had another thought.......I replaced the spring and valve in the oil pump cover. The valve had a hole through it. Does that hole have to face the oil pump cover? I just installed it not thinking about the how the valve should face.

I'm not sure. Did the kit come with installation instructions and exploded diagrams?

[Shakadula]

No instructions. All it stated was to use the white spring as a replacement as there were several springs provided. I also checked the manual and that didn't state anything about the valve. I might give that a try first since it is a 5 minute job.

[avgwarhawk]

Let us know what becomes of it.

[JohnD1956]

The hole in the valve should face the engine. If you have that right, then consider that before you get pressure you still have to fill up the oil filter. before dropping the pump I would take off the oil filter and see if you have any oil in there. If you have to remove the pump to repack with vaseline, be sure you pack every cavity. It may not be enough to just put vaseline around the gears themselves.

[BUICK RACER]

Bring it to Buick Race Day at Norwalk,OH this weekend, we will fix it!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://mi-buicks.com/documents/Norw2012.pdf

[Hector]

When you changed the gears on the oil pump,did you followed the chassis manual procedure to set the clearance to the bottom plate?I believe that the clearance should be set at .002-.004".Sometimes shimming of the plate is necesary ,TA Performance has a shim kit that will do the trick.Is oil coming to the top of the engine(rocker arms) when you attempt to prime it? Good luck with it.

[bills999]

It seems unlikely that a small problem with oil pump gear clearance would result in NO oil pressure.
You could try an old trick of over filling the crankcase with oil and if you get the pump to prime than you have a pick up tube problem.
I think you would have to pull the pump and check to make sure that the gears are turning
and the pressure relief valve are assembled properly.

[bills999]

A manual is your friend at this point it should show the proper orientation
or the relief valve