Hi,
I recently acquired a 2005 F-150 5.4 3v that need the phasers replaced. I did a full timing including new chains, guides, guide tensioners, VCT, High Velocity Oil pump, Dropped the oil pan cleaned, and checked. Took back off oil pump and put some oil in it, new oil filter, new oil pressure sending unit. Put everything together and kept the crank sensor off so it would not fire. Oil pressure never came up. Took the pan back off and checked pick up tube and o-ring and made sure it seated and tube clear. Also shot some oil up in the pump while I had the pickup off. Turned over again and no oil pressure. Checked the oil filter and it was dry. Kept the oil filter loose and cranked the engine and a small stream of oil started coming out, I tightened the filter and still no oil pressure. loosed the oil filter again and again a stream of oil came out. But still no pressure. I am afraid to keep cranking if no oil. Battery is running low and is cranking slower and may be part of the problem. Is there something that could be blocked past the oil filter? Do I just need to keep cranking? I don't think it is possible to put the pump on wrong and it be flush to the block. HELP
Thanks, Larry

 

So how long have you cranked it over total?

If you are cranking it the engine probably isn't going fast enough to pump out a great deal of oil so maybe you're ok.
I've never heard of one of these oil pumps not priming but maybe that's possible?
If it were me I think I'd take out the oil pressure light sender and get an oil pressure test kit from like harbor freight or wherever and instead of using the gauge at first I'd pump some oil into the engine if you buy a cheap garden weed sprayer you can use that to pump oil into the engine and get some flow to all the areas then try the cranking again and use the gauge to ensure the pressure comes up.
Heck you could use the gauge to check it first and see if you're getting pressure when you crank it.

 

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. Sounds like a good idea and will try it out tonight. Do I pump the oil into the truck though the oil pressure sending port?
Thanks,

 

I think I would try to measure the pressure first while cranking.
Then that's what I'd try if your not satisfied. Or if you just want to make sure oil is flowing around before more cranking. If you already drained the oil out of the pan you could put say 5 quarts into the sprayer and pump it all into the engine. Then it should be nice and primed. Then you could try turning it over and make sure it's making pressure on the gauge then top it off and hopefully be done.
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Dumb thing, but do you have the right oil filter? I've never seen one clogged, but there's a first time for everything!

 

I feel like there is no dumb questions at this point. But, yes I checked it. Motorcraft FL820S on the box, but I am actually going to check the filter itself.
Thanks,

 

I did not have any luck with the cranking and oil pressure indication . I now prefill my oil filter anyway . I finally let her start after timing job and it came right up to pressure no luck on cranking .
I had done a engine flush before tear down . I had varnish but not sludge. The only thing I failed to do was clean out vcts bodies ,now I find out there is a small filter in there . I also failed to use old style steel tensioners . I have them now but it woud be hell to go back in .
My neighbor said let her start ,I know you did it right, so I did and it roared to life. Smoke came off exhaust manifolds where I hand oiled cams during installation but I expected that. Mine was a regular m360 oil pump, I had cleaned oil pu and pan real good .

 

Good to know. If you think about it at idle you may only have 20 psi at 600 rpm, so what's there going to be at 60 rpm or whatever the starter can spin the motor?

 

Let it crank... the starter won’t spin the motor fast enough to build oil pressure. Just make sure you see pressure within about 5 seconds or so.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED. I put some oil back in via the oil pressure sending port, and used a fresh battery and pressure came up in seconds. Then fired it up and let it idle until idle settled.