Hi I'm new here, I'm coming here hoping to get a second opinion/advise. I have a 1998 Chevy Blazer that is not getting any oil to the top of the engine. My Grandpa and I pulled the valve covers off after it developed a knocking sound in the top of the engine and confirmed there is no oil flow through the rockers (I think that's what they're called, still have a lot to learn). My grandpa is pretty sure that the distributor is properly slotted into the notch on the oil pump. He suspects that the oil pump is bad, but he told me he wants to get a second opinion. I should add that the issue started after replacing the intake manifold gaskets and valve cover gaskets and fuel injectors. Thanks in advance and apologies for any ignorance I might show on the matter.

 

Welcome to the BlazerForum. This is the place for these questions.

Moved the thread into the appropriate section.

 

I would suggest to start at the bottom.

Deducting from your text I assume the engine is starting and runs but with a knock on top.

QUESTIONS
Is the distributor new?
Have you done an oil change?
Is the oil filter new?
Is the oil filling to spec?

THEN:
Does the instrument cluster properly illuminate all check lights?
UPON START:
Does the oil pressure check light go out on crank or on start?
Do you have oil pressure on the gauge?

That would be my first couple of questions to determine a base line for troubleshooting.

 

1.No, it is not.
2.Did an oil change before trying to start it back up after getting it back together
3.yes
4.yes
5. Yes the instrument panel illuminates all the lights.
6. If I remember correctly the light would go out on crank.
7.yes the oil gauge showed just over halfway last time I started it.

 

Sometimes coolant leaks into the engine past the intake gaskets and ends up ruining the engine bearings. Excess clearance in the bearings then causes low oil pressure to the lifters/rockers on a going forward through the engine shared oil galley (main bearings and 1/2 of lifters share one of the oil galleys on a 4.3, but not on a v8). This can manifest itself by a clacking noise at idle when engine is hottest (off the highway) and a lifter next to a worn bearing has collapsed from lack of oil. Oil pressure can read pretty low at idle when hot. Here is how I know - video from the day I bought my Blazer in 2014. Maybe this fits your problem - maybe not. It had about 10 psi of oil pressure during the clacking sound. Later I discovered the intake gaskets had been replaced and the SES light disabled (removed from instrument cluster and taped over). Apparently previous owner repaired the intake gaskets but big problems still remained - disabled SES light and traded it off. Bought from a new card dealership with 65K miles.