is my oil pump bad

how can you tell if the oil pump is not working right i'm not getting any oil to the right side of the heads .can i run the engine with valve cover off
and look at it . or will i get oil all over the engine.it's anew oil pump but you know how that goes . i looked at the valves on the right and they look dry no oil on them . ???????????

 

Yes you can run the engine without the valve cover on.
The valves are oiled thru the rocker shaft, the oil travels up a passage on the front of the block (both sides) thru a hole that lines up with the front rockershaft pedestal that is cast into the head it then travels thru the aluminum shaft support into the rocker shaft and then it is carried thru the shaft to all the rockers where it comes out thriu a hole in the tip of the pushrod side of the rocker. The tip of the valve I would guess is simply splash lubricated or the oil out of the pushrod side of the rocker is directed that way when it leaves the rocker. You might have a clogged up hole in the head, if so remove the rockershaft and slide a small piece of wire thru the hole in the front of the block (timing cover end of block), it should slide all the way to the camshaft journal unobstructed, as this is where the main oil galleys are. There is one on either side of the cam running thru the back side of the lifters.

Hope this helps!!

 

The oil will not pour out if the valve cover is removed and the engine is started, So yes you can pull the valve cover off and start it. They will not pour oil like a small block chevy will, just enough to run down the head to the return ports. Good luck, and if it is your oil pump at least they are external sit is an easy change.

 

i have one bad lifter and the hole the oil goes through was blocked by something. i don't know what it was but i'm going to drop the pan and find out so it will not do it again . i just put in all new lifters in . i guess i got a bad one . may i should replace them all only 60$ to do that .