thanks i appreciate it

It's similar to the reason lifters are a PAIN to remove from an old junkyard block, the old oil builds up in the spots that aren't making contact and creates a burr of carbon in the bore. The amount of oil crud that can fill the internal passages of a neglected LS are really amazing.

Thanks for sharing your experience, emphasizes importance of new pick up tube in case of caked on oil debris unseen inside that could plug it too. Many variables. Melling 10295 n shim it, add assembly lube, works great. Thanks again.