Well since last week, this engine has been a headache. Partly my fault, partly the machine shops fault. Dropped the engine in last thursday and saturday by 12:00 i had hooked up enough to run, rained friday or i would have had it running then. soon as it fired, oil all over the place....
it was coming from the back driverside of the engine. looked like the oil galley threaded plug was leaking but it was tight.... then it dawned on me. i never remember seeing the freeze plugs in the oil galleys but didnt check as i specifcally told the machine shop to put ALL the plugs in after cleaning the block for the last time. sure enough, pulled the engine and mid plate and the rear two driver side plugs were not there but a brand new passenger side plug was in.......oy.
put it all back together and dropped it back in and fired back up by 7:00 that same night but oil pressure was only 5-10. still not right!!! thats when josh pointed out the same machine shop forgot to install the front plug in the oil galley under the oil pump on his engine a while back. We pulled the turbo oil feed just to verify the gauge didnt die and it certainly wasnt 40+ psi coming out of it but oil was for sure getting around the engine. Damn it!
since sunday was momma's first mothers day, there was no work done to her. But monday i pull the front cover, pulled the reluctor wheel forward and unbolt the oil pump, leaned it back and sure enough, no plug. had enough room in there to slide a plug in and press it in with a pry bar and some creative leverage to keep from hurting the pump or aluminum pan. got it all back together but had dead batteries so no starting.
yesterday Levi brought me 2 new batteries since his wont hold a charge for crap and we fired it off. 60psi right away and no leaks via oil or fuel.
I had gone against my own rule of never trusting the machine shop for getting it all right and missed the plugs so let this be something for those of you lookin or are building the engines yourself. make sure this plugs are in there. it will give you quite the headache and if you dont use much assembly lube or good assembly lube while oiling up other parts as well as possible when assembling, you can hurt the bottom end very quickly from lack of oil.
we also swapped in a stock ECM yesterday and i pulled the tune to send to steve to have the VATS turned off as well as the egr/intake heater and adjsut a few things for the 60% overs. Now to get the front clip back in and see where i can find coolant leaks :rofl:
