Oil Pressure in SBC

[6camaro9]

I fired up my brand new ZZ383 today and the oil pressure gauge would never pick up and show any kind of pressure. I took the valve cover off the passenger side and I have plenty of oil sitting in the head and around the rockers. The sending unit is mounted about the oil filter because I can not get the plug out of the top port beside the distributor. I was wondering if I might just have a sending unit bad on the autometer gauge or if I am actually having oiling problems. What do you guys think. Thanks for the help.

[Che70velle]

Those engines have hydraulic roller lifters. If it weren't oiling, you'd hear it making racket from the neighbors house, if it even ran at all. How long have you ran the engine?
Electric gauge, correct?

[minendrews68]

I'd take a mechanical gauge and plumb it into the engine and see if you have pressure. It should show pressure just turning the engine over.

[6camaro9]

Thanks for the replies, yes it is a electric gauge and I didn't run it but about 5 to 10 seconds. I didn't see oil pressure and I went into panic mode and shut it off. I didn't hear any kind of noises so that makes me feel a little better. I had planned on going to autozone tomorrow and buying a cheap mechanical gauge and plumping it in and see what it shows. Thanks for the help.

[Vegas69]

Yep, it needs it.