Low oil pressure!

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68Z
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Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada

Low oil pressure!

#1 Post by 68Z » Tue Nov 06, 2012 8:59 am

Built a Ford 427W all aluminum for a guy some time ago. He finally fired it up!
100psi cold at idle, 120 degree's 40psi all it good right!
get on the gas @ 2000RPM oil pressure drops to 20psi what the hell!
Let it idle 40psi.
Pulled valve cover off all drain back are good no oil sitting up top.
Now when I built it about 2 years ago it had a aluminum pan on it.
Now it has a steal Moroso oil pan and had to replace the pick-up tube.
Asked them if he made sure if the pick-up was 3/4 of the floor.
He said that it is.
What would you think is the cause of this?
Thanks
68 Camaro Z/28
302 4spd
12.31@114mph

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John_Heard
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Re: Low oil pressure!

#2 Post by John_Heard » Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:12 am

First thing to check is the filter. If it's a FRAM get it off there. If you set it up so that it can't bypass around the filter, and the filter has come apart, that will do what you're talking about. Might not hurt to cut filter apart and look see if you can tell anything.

68Z
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 2:22 pm
Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada

Re: Low oil pressure!

#3 Post by 68Z » Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:39 am

Oh! He told me that he let it sit and cool down. Started it up again and had 100psi again!
I will be going there in the next week or so to look at it. Will check what filter he is using and cut it open.
I am thinking he might not have put the gaskets on the pick-up to the pump or pump to block! or both!
That is why I hate when people take stuff apart!
Trev
PS I sent the engine out with a racing Wix filter! but who knows what on it now!
68 Camaro Z/28
302 4spd
12.31@114mph

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Craig W.
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Re: Low oil pressure!

#4 Post by Craig W. » Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:45 pm

Is the oil clear or is it foamy? Entrained air in the oil will give similar results. That can be caused by running too much oil and crank windaged whipping air into the oil.

I had a top end oil pressure issue a few years ago that was resolved by running one quart less of oil.
Craig Watson
2QuickNovas Racing
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wikd69
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Re: Low oil pressure!

#5 Post by wikd69 » Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:21 am

After a build or having the motor open to any degree I always make it a habit to fire it up, get it warm and then dump both the oil and filter. This last time around I thought I'd save a few bucks and I bought a shorty Fram filter as a throw-away. I didn't have the motor running 5 minutes before that damn Fram filter collapsed at high idle and killed my oil pressure.

Good lesson for me and it didn't cost me anything other than a radically increased heart rate when the oil pressure dropped.

I'll never use another Fram filter on anything.
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

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Bruce69Camaro
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Re: Low oil pressure!

#6 Post by Bruce69Camaro » Fri Nov 09, 2012 5:46 am

My engine builder told me the same thing about Fram and he told me to buy either NAPA, which is made by Wix or buy a K&N oil filter.

I also thought the pickup was to be 1/4" from the pan?

3/4" seems to be a big gap?
Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out they don't......... :scratch:

68Z
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 2:22 pm
Location: Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada

Re: Low oil pressure!

#7 Post by 68Z » Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:10 am

Bruce69Camaro wrote:My engine builder told me the same thing about Fram and he told me to buy either NAPA, which is made by Wix or buy a K&N oil filter.

I also thought the pickup was to be 1/4" from the pan?

3/4" seems to be a big gap?
I am sorry I meant to put 3/8!
Trev
68 Camaro Z/28
302 4spd
12.31@114mph

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wikd69
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Re: Low oil pressure!

#8 Post by wikd69 » Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:39 pm

Bruce69Camaro wrote:My engine builder told me the same thing about Fram and he told me to buy either NAPA, which is made by Wix or buy a K&N oil filter.

I also thought the pickup was to be 1/4" from the pan?

3/4" seems to be a big gap?
Yep - I use K&N - the HP-3002 I think...
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

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