Priming rebuilt engine for first start?

HD2424

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
2,560,999 MILES

I have installed a rebuilt 5.3 engine. I have 4 quarts of 5w30. 1 quart of 5 w30 break in oil. Also has 8 ounces of engine start up additive. I’m going to pump oil through at bottom of engine at plug. I removed the plug and put on a hose barb. I made a vacuum pump out of a garden sprayer.

My question is, should I just pour the 8 ounces of additive and the one quart of 5w30 into engine at top then just pressurize the 4 quarts at bottom of engine until I see oil coming through the rockers and out the hole from the oil pressure switch.

Or can I just mix all the all oil and additive together and just pump all through the bottom?

9 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,110 POSTS

You can I mix all of the all oil and additives together and just pump all through the bottom. Then crank it over (fuel pump relay removed) until you see oil pressure on the gauge, make sure you allow the starter to cool to prevent damage to the starter. Also, prefill the oil filter if you have not done so already. Good luck with the new engine :) Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

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Saturday, December 24th, 2022 AT 11:01 AM

HD2424

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191 POSTS

Okay, got it. Thanks

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Saturday, December 24th, 2022 AT 11:14 AM

HD2424

MEMBER
191 POSTS

Update I got all oil mixed and got engine primed got oil coming out of all intake and exhaust rockers except for one exhaust rocker. I don’t know if lifter is bad the lifter is new. I hand spun the engine because I don’t have all the engine wire Harness hooked up. I don’t know if it’s a air pocket maybe? Any thoughts? Should I remove that lifter or should I finish hooking up wires and intake manifold? And take valve cover off after I start it. Maybe the engine running will clear it up.

Thanks for any advice.

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Sunday, December 25th, 2022 AT 3:52 PM

HD2424

MEMBER
191 POSTS

Also, I took the locker off and checked pin hole on the locker and looked through the pushrod and both were clear. The push rod did look like oil was trying to be pushed up. Oil was about a quarter way up. I was thinking can I just crank engine if wires are not hooked up?

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Monday, December 26th, 2022 AT 1:02 AM

HD2424

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191 POSTS

Also I took rocker off and checked pin hole on rocker and look through pushrod and both were clear. Push rod did look like oil was trying to be pushed up. Oil was about a quarter way up. I was thinking can I just crank engine if wires are not hooked up?