Oil Pressure Issue

[85glht]

Check your intermediate shaft bearing. Specifically the one that is deep into the block. My machine shop missed this bearing and the shaft was very sloppy. I didn't pay too much attention to this and I had the same issue.

[1983Rampage]

Well, now I am puzzled. I went through and changed the oil since I was wanting to make sure that there was not something clogging the pickup again, and there was a little metal flake and the filter was changed as well. Then when I started the car, it had good oil pressure for a while, then it started to go down again, to the point the check gauge light came on. So I shut the car off. I know the gauge is right since I do have the mechanical gauge on it, but I know the mechanical gauge is off, but it actually shows that there is a large drop in oil pressure. Any ideas?

[1983Rampage]

Quote:

Check your intermediate shaft bearing. Specifically the one that is deep into the block. My machine shop missed this bearing and the shaft was very sloppy. I didn't pay too much attention to this and I had the same issue.

I was kinda thinking about that too, I know that my bearing seemed a little bit more snug then I remember when I got it. Would I have to have the engine removed from the car completely to put a new set in?

[puppet]

What color is the metal flake?
Be honest now ... what didn't you do/check when you did this rebuild?

[1983Rampage]

it was a silver color, but the only thing that I did not check when I did the rebuild was the intermediate shaft. That is why I was starting to think that may be part of the problem. I am thinking I may pull it on Saturday and see how it looks.

[puppet]

Did you examine the old pump you took out yet?
Check to see if the pressure relief valve was jammed open by a chunk of metal. You said you had some chunks in the pick-up screen ... was the block ever cleaned before assembly? Now you've got metal flakes but is that a current problem or left overs?

Anyhow, either you've got some crap floating around the oil gallery yet or some clearance issue on the rods.

[1983Rampage]

I had the block cleaned and machined, and it was supposed to be cleaned after machining. The pump looked to be in good condition, just a little bit more wear then what I would like. I will make sure to check it out closer tomorrow. I know that there were not any "chunks" in the oil pan, more like just small glitter in the oil.

[85glht]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1983Rampage I was kinda thinking about that too, I know that my bearing seemed a little bit more snug then I remember when I got it. Would I have to have the engine removed from the car completely to put a new set in?

My shaft was loose on the oil pump/distributor side. I should have questioned it when I assembled my engine..........but I didn't.The machine shop didn't change the bearing when they had the block. I didn't hurt the engine either,(itis still together and running strong).I changed the bearing myself with the engine in the car. It was a PITA.......... but possible

[phantomrt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1983Rampage And I ended up dropping the oil pan, and the pickup was slightly clogged. So I cleaned it up, I have also changed the oil filter 2 times, just in case, and that didn't fix much.

Sorry, man, this thing is F'ed I'd say. We have a freshly rebuilt engine, and in a very short time we find a clogged up pickup screen already? In a rebuild of any decent quality, there is absolutely no reason for the pickup screen to be full of anything for any reason. What was it clogged up with? Sounds like a Mexican rebuild to me.

And now there is more glitter in the oil. The damage is done and the only way to save it is 3 more oil changes with 4 more filters in the next 300 miles and it should be good to go. Okay, maybe not.

Some will argue that when I rebuild an engine, I am not doing a very good job because I often re-use the old oil pump even after the engine spun out a bearing. I take it apart, perform a visual inspection of all the components and case, check for wear with a feeler guage, make sure the relief valve moves like it should and isn't loose, etc. If all that looks good it goes back in the engine and it has never been a problem for me. But then people go apeship on me wondering why in the world would I trust a used oil pump in a $2000 rebuilt engine? The people at 3si.org cry me a river saying that the engine will spin a bearing again because of it. The pump was in great shape. There was no reason to replace it with a new one in the same exact condition.

[CWELLMAN1]

check the upper end cam/lifters

[1983Rampage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWELLMAN1 check the upper end cam/lifters

Could I get you to go more in depth on this? This is kinda making me think more, I know that there is ALOT more valve noise then normal.

[1983Rampage]

Well, I went through and pulled the intermediate shaft, and it was good, then I went through pulled the cam (it was kinda worn out) and swapped out those parts, and the upper valve noise went away for the largest part. But the oil pressure is still an issue. But I went through the FSM and was thinking would it be possible that the check valve that is in/around the oil filter adapter may be caught open when the engine warms up. It had full pressure after the car cools down but then it slowly loses it after it warms up.

[1983Rampage]

Another question, would not having the oil restrictor (since I am using a TBI block) cause this problem?

[CWELLMAN1]

if the oil restrictor was after the sensor /sending unit it could. i'd try it any! its impossible to see in side the engine when it running but it could be a crack in the block somewere or the head ?

[1983Rampage]

Actually, I had the block and head checked, so I know that they are not the issue, and the restrictor is between the head and block, so I am going to try that either next weekend, or the weekend after that. I just need to get a new headgasket then (3rd one now), but there I am also going to upgrade cams while I am at it, so I am going to just do a BUNCH of work all at once.

And I wish I could see the inside of the engine, would make everything way easier, LOL.