05 Z71 5.3 lifters

[05z71luke]

I recently did a lifter job on my 5.3 @197000mi. the only issue before replacement was the infamous lifter tick. After replacing the lifters, and torqueing to specs in Haynes manual, upon start up still sounds like a small diesel engine, and the oil pressure has dropped to around 5-10. used to run at 35-40. I replaced the oil sending unit yesterday hoping that'd fix it but nothing has changed. I used ACDelco lifters. I didn't replace the push rods as they looked fine. I'm at a loss. I've taken the valve cover off at least 3 times now, and adjusted the rockers but cannot get it oil pressure up or the sound to stop. Next step is to do an oil change to see if there's any coolant in the oil from the repair.

Please help

 

[swathdiver]

I recently did a lifter job on my 5.3 @197000mi. the only issue before replacement was the infamous lifter tick. After replacing the lifters, and torqueing to specs in Haynes manual, upon start up still sounds like a small diesel engine, and the oil pressure has dropped to around 5-10. used to run at 35-40. I replaced the oil sending unit yesterday hoping that'd fix it but nothing has changed. I used ACDelco lifters. I didn't replace the push rods as they looked fine. I'm at a loss. I've taken the valve cover off at least 3 times now, and adjusted the rockers but cannot get it oil pressure up or the sound to stop. Next step is to do an oil change to see if there's any coolant in the oil from the repair.

Please help

If you used different head gaskets from the originals, if they are thicker, then the pushrods will have slop between them and the rockers. What brand and part number did you use? What part number for the lifters? Did you replace the head bolts with new?

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

Like @swathdiver is saying. Too many unknowns. I would never ever replace lifters without doing the push rods. Did you look at the cam? I am **** and I would do a cam at the same time and rockers. May not fix your noise problems but it would give me peace of mind.

 

[05z71luke]

If you used different head gaskets from the originals, if they are thicker, then the pushrods will have slop between them and the rockers. What brand and part number did you use? What part number for the lifters? Did you replace the head bolts with new?

gaskets were FELPRO from Napa auto for the specified vehicle. They looked about the same thickness but honestly can't say. Lifters were ACDelco that my brother in law purchased.
Head bolts were replaced and with the correct torques. the only new parts were the head gaskets, head bolts, lifters, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, wires and oil pressure sending unit.

 

[05z71luke]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

Like @swathdiver is saying. Too many unknowns. I would never ever replace lifters without doing the push rods. Did you look at the cam? I am **** and I would do a cam at the same time and rockers. May not fix your noise problems but it would give me peace of mind.

i didn't do the cam. I'm not a seasoned mechanic. Brother in law is the mechanic, and i think he was just trying to knock it out as quickly as possible. Right now i'm more concerned with the oil pressure being low

 

[swathdiver]

gaskets were FELPRO from Napa auto for the specified vehicle. They looked about the same thickness but honestly can't say. Lifters were ACDelco that my brother in law purchased.
Head bolts were replaced and with the correct torques. the only new parts were the head gaskets, head bolts, lifters, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, wires and oil pressure sending unit.

That's a ton of unknowns man. Did you leave out the lifter trays? It is SOP to replace them anytime the lifters are replaced.

 

[NardDog]

Did you soak the lifters overnight at least or put them in dry?

 

[OR VietVet]

Did you soak the lifters overnight at least or put them in dry?

Good call. I have always put all new lifters in a clean bucket and topped off with oil and let sit for overnight.

 

[corvette744]

I agree i have never installed lifters without soaking them in oil overnight.Your main concern is a problem 5-10 pounds of oil is major teardown.Maybe you took out the cam bearings-poss plug the oil pump inlet screen with alot of junk.You got a couple problems now.Sorry to hear your problems.Motor is history till you figure out the oil pressure is it squirting out off the push rods when running

 

[Tonyv__]

Good call. I have always put all new lifters in a clean bucket and topped off with oil and let sit for overnight.

Do you guys submerge the lifters completely in oil? Or stand them up and just soak the roller portion?