[markmitch]

I had this same new oil pump in the last engine that never started, but I did prime it, and it sent oil all over the ground because the rear main was pinched, so I know it worked before I put in this engine. But if it comes down to me having to pull the engine again it will sit till spring and I will be without a car all winter. Sucks to be me right now. What I am going to try is I will remove the oil pressure switch assembly and add a piece of hose to it and turn the engine over to see if oil comes out without making a huge mess.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

markmitch wrote:
"What I am going to try is I will remove the oil pressure switch assembly and add a piece of hose to it and turn the engine over to see if oil comes out without making a huge mess."

You could also use a small garden sprayer tank, and put oil in it. Use the tube to the spray wand to hook to the oil pressure port., pump it up and let the air pressure lube the motor.
When I had a shop, we had one of the old style galvanized metal garden sprayers ( yes, that was manyyears ago) . It was rigged up with an air pressure regulator set to about 5psi, and used specifically for the purpose of pressurizing oil systems on rebuilt motors.
One day, somebody 'borrowed' the air pressure regulator off that tank.
One of my mechanics was not paying attention, and hooked the shop air line directly to the tank, which had about two gallons of oil in it. That blew a seam in the bottom of the tank, and it became a rocket; spewing oil everywhere as it went through the shop ceiling and into the attic.
What a mess! , and nobody hurt!
When we replaced that system, we made sure there was a pressure regulator attached in such a way that it could not easily be removed.

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[markmitch]

The oil pan is made from cutting the 4.3 steel oil pan and adding a spacer to make it longer. So I used the oil pump pick up tube for the same year, 4.3. As was told to me by the company that made the oil pans. I do have a spare oil pump and pick up tube if I need it, but I hope I don't need it.

 

[markmitch]

OK so I have oil pressure -at least to the sensor, but no fuel and no spark, storm coming tonight but its rain, so I will pull out my manuals and see what I should be looking for. I did not hear the fuel pump prime, and it's new, so there's that. It is TBI. I know the knock sensor is not plugged in because I pinched it when installing the engine I got a new plug but I have to solder it in. Otherwise, everything is plugged in. Any ideas are welcome. Mark

 

[Rod's Trucks]

Yes! , proving oil pressure to the sensor is a big step forward . That has to be a relief.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[Big_kid]

Fuel pump relay?
Ignition module? The one in my Skip White distributor failed after 4 years/15K miles.

 

[markmitch]

I will recheck all the wiring and follow any broken wires if I find any and check the relay, thanks again. Mark

 

[markmitch]

I found the hot wire to the coil was severely corroded, so I replaced it, tomorrow I will drop the started and check those wires and fix any that are messed up. Then I will work on the fuel harness.

 

[markmitch]

Well winter finally hit us enough to stop all work on my Astro till spring, first we got snow then it has been in the 20s since. Too cold for this old coot. I have arthritis in my hands so when the temps drop too low I can't get my fingers to go lol.

 

[Big_kid]

I can relate. It'll get done on your timeline.

 

[markmitch]

I really tried to put it on the road for this winter but as life can sometimes throw a bunch of curveballs at us, and it sure did to me this year. I have neuropathy in both feet and have been dealing with it for 5+ years but since we moved back to NH it got much worse so of course I had to find out what and such, so many appointments took many days away from me. Anyway, I will be buying whatever I need to finish this project next spring over the winter. I need to find out what is wrong with my electronics first so I can get the engine running. I am looking at a 2000 S-10 4x4 for 2k Friday to drive over the winter and to pick up and drop off engine parts to rebuild the 350 I have in the barn. I hope to pull the rotating assembly apart tomorrow then drop the block off at the local machine shop to be cleaned and checked for damages asap. Mark.