Oil Pressure Woes continue...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Oil Pressure Woes continue...
Okay, oil sending unit replaced and I'm still at 10-20 psi, so it doesn't appear that is the problem. Now I fear I may have cooked something testing this. The block got pretty durn hot and a bit of smoke came out of the dipstick when checking the oil.
So, I guess the next step is the oil pump. Man, I hope I didn't ruin that engine.
So, I guess the next step is the oil pump. Man, I hope I didn't ruin that engine.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Captain_Kaboom)
You might ok with 15 at idle although that is kinda low. If it drops off when reving then you are probably low on oil. Had an engine that drank oil through the valve stem seals and spit it out the rear main. Everyonce in a while it would loose oil pressure when cruising so I had to pull over and dump a quart in. Have heard that 10 psi per 1000 rpm's is acceptable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Captain_Kaboom)
Okay, oil sending unit replaced and I'm still at 10-20 psi, so it doesn't appear that is the problem. Now I fear I may have cooked something testing this. The block got pretty durn hot and a bit of smoke came out of the dipstick when checking the oil.
So, I guess the next step is the oil pump. Man, I hope I didn't ruin that engine.
So, I guess the next step is the oil pump. Man, I hope I didn't ruin that engine.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (BB wowbagger)
I hope I didn't ruin it. I drove it a mile to see if there was a change in pressure. I am worried that the wobble sound I noticed earlier (I think it was/is the water pump/pulley that I just replaced) is actually comming from the engine.
Well I bought a POS vette to learn how to work on them. Looks like I got what I asked for! I kinda wish I could just drive it sometime, too.....
Well I bought a POS vette to learn how to work on them. Looks like I got what I asked for! I kinda wish I could just drive it sometime, too.....
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Lake Hughes CA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Captain_Kaboom)
Okay, oil sending unit replaced and I'm still at 10-20 psi, so it doesn't appear that is the problem
So, I guess the next step is the oil pump. Man, I hope I didn't ruin that engine.
I would replace the pump but expect to rebuild the lower end soon.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (gerry c)
Someone had rebuilt the block a while back as well as put a coat of paint on the engine. From the look of it appears to be a few years ago.
No synthetic oil. Had 10W-30 in there; just had added a few quarts of 10W-40.
sigh
No synthetic oil. Had 10W-30 in there; just had added a few quarts of 10W-40.
sigh
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Captain_Kaboom)
Since it's pretty warm down there in Atlanta, I would try changing the oil with 20w-50 and see if that helps.
[Modified by The_Dude, 2:44 PM 9/16/2002]
[Modified by The_Dude, 2:44 PM 9/16/2002]
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Bobchad)
Bobchad,
I'm in definate need of brew and a mechanic... :-)
I live just inside Cherokee County, right near Roswell. Just a couple of miles from the Crabapple silos/Wills Park area.
heh It'd be fun to chat!
I'm in definate need of brew and a mechanic... :-)
I live just inside Cherokee County, right near Roswell. Just a couple of miles from the Crabapple silos/Wills Park area.
heh It'd be fun to chat!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Captain_Kaboom)
I'm just over the river in Norcross. Email me your phone number and I'll give you a call this weekend.
FYI, if you get this problem licked 4 or 5 of us are going up to Helen on 10/27 for a little "Octoberfest" and you are certainly welcome, with or without a vette, as is anyone else that is interested.
Bob
FYI, if you get this problem licked 4 or 5 of us are going up to Helen on 10/27 for a little "Octoberfest" and you are certainly welcome, with or without a vette, as is anyone else that is interested.
Bob
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Bobchad)
Will do!
Hehe. Okay, so I've got about a month. Hopefully I won't have to push the ole '77 to my first vette event. :-)
On a sadder note, she WAS supposed to be in a high school homecomming parade this Friday. I had to tell the poor co-worker's daughter that she may have to find another chariot for the parade. She was real excited about getting to ride in it; her older sister was going to drive it around the track for the parade, too.
:-(
Hehe. Okay, so I've got about a month. Hopefully I won't have to push the ole '77 to my first vette event. :-)
On a sadder note, she WAS supposed to be in a high school homecomming parade this Friday. I had to tell the poor co-worker's daughter that she may have to find another chariot for the parade. She was real excited about getting to ride in it; her older sister was going to drive it around the track for the parade, too.
:-(
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 65,981
Likes: 15
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Captain_Kaboom)
Dear Captain,
If someone rebuilt the engine, then they may not have properly set the bearings. Someone else can help you with that if it is a problem. Also, you may be getting excess rebuild sealant or other junk plugging up the oil pump sump. When I bought my 77 the oil pressure was low, but not as low as yours. I decided to change the oil pump, thinking that was the problem. I found that the pump was probably OK, but the oil pan and, most importantly, the oil sump screen was plugged with junk. Take off the oil pan, check for junk, clean out the sump, possibly change the oil pump and do whatever else is important while the oil pan is off and see if that improves the oil pressure. Good luck.
If someone rebuilt the engine, then they may not have properly set the bearings. Someone else can help you with that if it is a problem. Also, you may be getting excess rebuild sealant or other junk plugging up the oil pump sump. When I bought my 77 the oil pressure was low, but not as low as yours. I decided to change the oil pump, thinking that was the problem. I found that the pump was probably OK, but the oil pan and, most importantly, the oil sump screen was plugged with junk. Take off the oil pan, check for junk, clean out the sump, possibly change the oil pump and do whatever else is important while the oil pan is off and see if that improves the oil pressure. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (virtue4u)
That's kind of my plan as well. I have intermittent fluctuating oil pressure at mid rpms. I'm going to replace the sending unit and if that doesn't take care of it, drop the pan, clean up the oil sump screen and possible replace the pump.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Bobchad)
Don't need to jack the car to change the sender. I just reached down with a wrench to lossen, then stuck my hand up from underneath to unscrew and pull the wire. 3 minute job, piece of cake! btw, pull the wire before you unscrew the sender so you don't twist and break that wire.
[Modified by Captain_Kaboom, 4:16 PM 9/17/2002]
[Modified by Captain_Kaboom, 4:16 PM 9/17/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Captain_Kaboom)
I'll give it a try. I tried to do it by hand and it was in too tight. I can't really see the nut head on it and so I was going to roll it up on the ramps and get under there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock GA
Re: Oil Pressure Woes continue... (Bobchad)
Heh I thought the same thing. You actually put your wrench on the neck of the sender and turn it from there. I kept trying to to turn the other end attached to the car till I took a look at the unit. :-)
