Mercruiser 4.3L 1990 No oil in heads

[Baloo]

I recently set my rockers and ran the motor briefly without the valve covers on and I noticed that I had no oil coming up the pushrods. I checked the oil pressure and it showed a normal amount of pressure. I am lost and don't know what to check next. It is a new crate motor that was installed in 2006 and ran once then sat for 4 years until now.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L 1990 No oil in heads

"briefly" probably not long enough.

it takes a while at idle with the thick oil boat engines use.

 

[Baloo]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L 1990 No oil in heads

Briefly being about 5min. The motor has what sounds like a lifter tap but it doesn't make sense to me that none of the lifters would be working.

 

[smarks]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L 1990 No oil in heads

I recently set my rockers and ran the motor briefly without the valve covers on and I noticed that I had no oil coming up the pushrods. I checked the oil pressure and it showed a normal amount of pressure. I am lost and don't know what to check next. It is a new crate motor that was installed in 2006 and ran once then sat for 4 years until now.

What kind of oil pressure is the gauge showing?
Steve

 

[Baloo]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L 1990 No oil in heads

There are'nt any numbers on the gauge but it is a little above half at an idle