Oil pressure problem

[Guest]

Finally got the engine going and all was well for about 3 minutes. suddenly no oil pressure.

It is a new 347 with high vol milodden oil pump.

I have checked the dizzy drive etc and spun the oil pump drive with a socket and drill. -still No pressure.

Any clues.

Cheers,
RV

 

[Steve Toner]

1. Remove one of the valve covers and spin with drill to make sure it's not the sender. If it's pumping oil, you will see it flowing...
2. Drop the pan and make sure the pickup is still attached.

 

[Neal]

Broken oil pump drive shaft or bad gauge / pressure sender. Try Steve's suggestion.

I just dynoed with a high volume pump and had 70 to 100 lb of pressure. Too high for my taste. I went back to the stock pump. What types of pressures are you seeing when it was running?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips. pressure was in a similar region.

A friend that runs speedway sprint cars suggested changing the oil filter to a K&N or Fram unit as well as the Ryco unit used has been known to have the insides sucked causing a blockage.

The car is getting a wheel alignment and then final carpeting by the upholsterer so I won't have it back for two weeks to give these ideas a try.

Cheers,
RV

 

[Guest]

Finally sorted the oil pressure problem. turned out to be a oil gallery bung had popped on the first good blip of the throttle. Now just to pick the motor up from the engine builder, reassemble everything, get a tune up and lets get licensed. Yee haa!

Regards,
RV

 

[Neal]

Rick,

I had a high volume pump on my motor when we dynoed and pressure was 90 lbs/in max. Too much in my opinion. I wonder if that is why you popped the galley plug. I went back to a stock pump.

Just a thought before you put it all back together.

 

When I build the small Ford engines I tap the front oil gallerys for 1/4 inch socket head pipe plugs. I started this a long time back when I experienced the problem of a oil gallery plug falling out.
I have also read in some of the dyno tests on engines with Hi-Vol pumps that they can cost up to 20 HP due to the excess amount of oil they push.
The only time I use a Hi-Vol pump if the engine I am building will use a oil fed Turbo or Supercharger.
I disassemble all the pumps, smooth all the passages and check the clearences and safety wire the plate bolts.

VIC

CAV 40
Lemans Blue
Owner built 302
Getrag Trans

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the thoughts. The engine is all together again. I will run it up on the dyno for a tune and see what happens. If it pops again I'll definately change the pump and have the port tapped for added security.

The engine builder has been great to date but I think his sense of humour will disappear if there is a failure in the same location.

Cheers,
RV