No oil pressure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: New Fairfield CT
No oil pressure
OK Here goes. Started new engine in 71 on sunday. Ran for 1/2 hour at 2000 rpms. The next day decided to set timing, adjust carb and thermo shoot the engine to check the new sending unit on the new heads. Started up, ran about 5 minutes started to hear a slight tick looked inside at the oil pressure gauge and noticed NO READING. Shut down engine and found dist. hold down bolt had vibrated loose enought to disengage from the oil pump drive shaft. Engine ran for I figure for about 5 minutes with no oil pressure! After ranting and punching walls for my stupid scew-up, reinstalled dist. set timing and oil pressure was reading 50 lbs. Did I just ruin my 3,000 brand new engine?
Please tell me some good news!
Please tell me some good news!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
OIL pressure at 50 lbs....somehow I doubt you ruined it....
if the dist was turning, engine running, I fail to see how in hell the oil pump could NOT be turning, as the dist is pulled down into the engine by gear action....that's the way in fact install them...drop it down to desired position, hit the starter to engage oil pump....
GENE
if the dist was turning, engine running, I fail to see how in hell the oil pump could NOT be turning, as the dist is pulled down into the engine by gear action....that's the way in fact install them...drop it down to desired position, hit the starter to engage oil pump....
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Did you "oil prime" the engine before start up ?
(Some put oil in thru spark plug openings,and some even lube oil pump gears).
Important to know if you caused "scuffing" of cylinder walls before you got oil pressure.That is the question...you at should least drain the oil and examine that...what temp was engine at when you noticed no oil pressure...??
Edit:remember:you ran the engine twice. So I assume you HAD oil pressure the first time....on Sunday....
(Some put oil in thru spark plug openings,and some even lube oil pump gears).
Important to know if you caused "scuffing" of cylinder walls before you got oil pressure.That is the question...you at should least drain the oil and examine that...what temp was engine at when you noticed no oil pressure...??
Edit:remember:you ran the engine twice. So I assume you HAD oil pressure the first time....on Sunday....
Last edited by rihwoods; May 24, 2005 at 10:53 AM.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 99
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From: Lincolnton NC
goof up
my heart goes out for you...I've goofed just as badly or worse...you're only human. is there a simple way to check for bearing damage, cam lobe , ring. If there is damage, whats the worst that can happen if you do nothing? premature failure? when will that reasonably be expected?
If you had the engine apart, could you tell if damage occured?
Whats the worst life experience you've ever had? how does this compare....(hopefully this IS the worst) try to put in perspective , such as this being part of the "learning curve" some of us have to pay more for than others.
Because of the way I drive mine, I might have to pull it and go back through it.
If its too much, get rid of it. good luck, jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: New Fairfield CT
I added the new cam start up lube to engine oil. Engine was assembled with engine assy lube and engine oil. Engine was primed with 1/2 drive drill on sunday. Squirted oil in all cyl. before start up. Lubed all rocker assy before first start up. I`m starting to feel a little better about this f up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
The oil pump was turning if the distributor was turning and keeping the engine running.
The problem you may have was that as the distributor rises up, you lose the seal around it, losing oil pressure, especially at the top end. You've probably noticed the oil flowing down the distributor shaft hole when priming with the standard priming shaft and drill.
The ticking was probably caused by lifets starved of oil. Be sure to check for a collapsed lifter once you get it together. If you still have 50psi, your bottom end and cam bearings are almost certainly ok.
BTW, I had something similar happen, twice! befor I discovered the hold down was damaged. No damage to my engine.
Gary
The problem you may have was that as the distributor rises up, you lose the seal around it, losing oil pressure, especially at the top end. You've probably noticed the oil flowing down the distributor shaft hole when priming with the standard priming shaft and drill.
The ticking was probably caused by lifets starved of oil. Be sure to check for a collapsed lifter once you get it together. If you still have 50psi, your bottom end and cam bearings are almost certainly ok.
BTW, I had something similar happen, twice! befor I discovered the hold down was damaged. No damage to my engine.
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
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Originally Posted by 71stockray
I added the new cam start up lube to engine oil. Engine was assembled with engine assy lube and engine oil. Engine was primed with 1/2 drive drill on sunday. Squirted oil in all cyl. before start up. Lubed all rocker assy before first start up. I`m starting to feel a little better about this f up.
BTW:You can get an oil analysis for about $60 bucks or so just in case.Save your original filter,as you may want to cut it open....keep kool,dude.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: New Fairfield CT
Just thinking about this. The oil pressure gauge pick up point is in the top end of the block. It could have been just the seal on the dist. as gary said. Man this day has moved up from dismal this morning when I got to the office, to thanks to you guys, I think everthing gonna be allright outlook. I love this fourm !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I think, as others have said, it should be alright. The distributor is pulled down and will engage the oil pump shaft. The noise might have been a lifter. Since oil pressure is good, the bearings at least seem to be OK. I would lose too many nights sleep over it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by 71stockray
Just thinking about this. The oil pressure gauge pick up point is in the top end of the block. It could have been just the seal on the dist. as gary said. Man this day has moved up from dismal this morning when I got to the office, to thanks to you guys, I think everthing gonna be allright outlook. I love this fourm !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: New Fairfield CT
Tonight I will pick up were I left off. Seting timing, adjusting carb and idle. last but not least putting the hood back on. Should be back on the road by Memorial Day. Thanks to all. Keep waving 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Originally Posted by 71stockray
No I shut it down the second I heard the tick. But I think it ran with the oil pump disengaged for 5 minutes.
Whew...that's a tongue twister.
Eddie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
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From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by Silvr77
Just an FYI to ease your mind. The oil pump doing it's job of pumping oil, has nothing to do with the distributor. It drives the disrtibutor. Even if the distributor is disengaged from the pump...the pump still pumps!
Whew...that's a tongue twister.
Eddie
Whew...that's a tongue twister.
Eddie
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
...but,the starter system turns the engine over....and the ankle bone is attached...
...the faster the RPM's,the faster the............turns the oil pump,and oil pressure increases.Fill in the blank...
...the faster the RPM's,the faster the............turns the oil pump,and oil pressure increases.Fill in the blank...
Last edited by rihwoods; May 24, 2005 at 02:30 PM.