Another Newbie Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough North Carolina
Another Newbie Question
OK folks, here is another of my newbie questions. I have recently re-installed my freshly rebuilt 350. The engine has not yet been fired but, hopefully will this weekend. Anyway, I went ahead and installed an oil filter and poured in the oil. I used an old distributor as a priming tool and hooked up the drill to it. As I spun the drill, you could tell imediately when the pump picked up prime and started pumping. Well, I looked at the factory oil pressure gauge while spinning the pump(the windshield is out of the car) and the gauge is reading 70 psi!!!! The engine has a standard volume and pressure melling oilpump.I realize that the oil (10w-40) is cold as is the engine but this seems very high. I pulled the valve covers and it is pumping oil out of the rocker arms so, I do not think there is a blockage .The only mod to the oiling system is an oilfilter adapter that does NOT have a bypass in it.
Is this ok or should I be worried? I was hoping to break the engine in this weekend but, I am a little worried now. What do you folks think? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
Is this ok or should I be worried? I was hoping to break the engine in this weekend but, I am a little worried now. What do you folks think? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mike
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Wet Coast
Re: Another Newbie Question (piratemike)
Yeah, that sounds about right for not having a bypass. Just make sure that you run a K&N filter which has a burst pressure above 300 psi (I forget the exact number). Lesser filters have been known to split sometimes. Also, don't rev the engine high until it gets warm. Most people don't know that the bypass lifts under very little pressure (just push the spring to see how weak it is), and the engine is always getting some unfiltered oil once the rpm's get up.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Another Newbie Question (piratemike)
The filter bypass won't affect the pressure to the rest of the engine, except to possibly lower it. It only affects whether the oil passes through the filter or not. It is the oil pump bypass that limits the ultimate oil pressure. The oil pressure tap is further into the system than (beyond) either bypass. With oil coming from all 16 push rods, it sounds like you're in good shape. That IS fairly thick oil. As advised, DO keep an eye in the filter, especially until it is warmed up.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Another Newbie Question (piratemike)
A tip while you prime the oil pump: Have someone turn the engine over by hand while you are working the drill motor. Make 2 complete revolutions so you end up where you started. This will help lube up the roataing assy.
It will be easier to turn if the spark plugs are out
:cheers:
It will be easier to turn if the spark plugs are out
:cheers:
