88 with a 302. for a while now if the truck sits for a little bit (like over night), when i start it, it is dry of oil for a few seconds. i changed the oil pump out about a year ago and it seemed to help a for a little bit but now the problem is back. I have tried different oil filters including motorcraft and mobile1 but there is no difference. i thought they were supposed to have anti-drain back valves? any suggestions?

 

Yes they have anti drain back valves , motorcraft is a good filter & mobile 1 is an excelent filter so i don't think its the filter , when you changed the oil pump how did everthing look , oil pu tube & screen , any sludge ?? how many miles are on the motor ???...Lew

 

Take into account with Lew 52 has mentioned. Also what makes you think they are "dry starts"? Not being rude here but trying to clarify. I have seen people run too thick of an oil in climates, and I am not sure where your truck is at. I live in Northwestern PA and had a friend who wanted me to re-do his motor because it was knocking back in the AM. He had 20W50 in the crankcase and wanted to start and drive on a -2 degree day. There are a few additives that help, but I dont usuaully utilize them. Please post back and let us know.

 

the motor has about 360k. i live in texas and although we are getting quite a bit of snow today, temps dont get that cold. when i first start the engine, i hear a grinding sound that sounds like the lifters running on the camshaft. the oil pressure gauge is at 0 and a second or 2 later the gauge comes up to normal and the sound immediately goes away.

I changed the pump out about a year ago, not really cause i needed to, just because i had the pan off and figured why not. everything looked really good down there, especially for as many miles as it has. i have always used mobile1 oil and i will always be a testimonial for them because every time i pull the pan or the valve covers they are squeaky clean.

 

Thats alot of miles, I am assuming you may have some parts wear, is the noise getting louder as mileage increases? What Viscosity of oil are you running?

 

the stock oil gauge is really an idiot light.

did you replace the pickup tube and screen?

360k you are lucky it still runs.

 

no the noise really hasnt changed any. i run 10w30. no i didnt change the pickup tube or screen, i guess i should have. it just seems like somehow the oil is draining out of the filter, which i dont understand because gravity should keep a lot of the oil in the filter and the anti-drain back valve should do the rest. its like there is some syphoning going on inside

360k and i still get good gas milage, no real major engine work done. i try to keep it in good shape but im worried that these dry starts will accelerate engine wear.

 

If you think its the filter , spin it off & see how much oil is in it , Do you know what the oil pressure is ?? At 360K the bearings are probabley very worn , that could be the problem to ...Lew

 

pour some oil in before you start 'er up?

just before you turn it over, pour a bit of oil in the top end, via the regular fill port, and for the other side, pop out the pcv valve .. see if you still get the 'scary' noises ..

 

I would think after that many miles a 302 would be getting pretty well wore out,they are tough little engine,one of my favorites,but every engine has it limits.I've had them apart with less then a 100000 miles on them and they bearings are worn completely out,and have had some apart with 200+ and they look great,I am a huge supporter of using the ford filter,they do have an anti drainback/check valve in them and are worth the few cents more,but it may be time to do a rebuild on your 302.

 

I recommend KY, Viagra, and possibly a little 4 play.

 

hahaha that is funny.

 

Do you use synthetic oil? I would. Also, the oil filter is mostly upside down, i wouldn't worry about "draining"

The "best" way would be to install an oil accumulator w/ electric solenoid valve. You tee into the oil pressure sender, pipe through an electric solenoid valve that is open w/ key on, to a little spring-loaded piston. When you shut the key off, the spring is compressed by the oil pump and the valve shuts, when you turn the key back on the valve opens and the spring pumps the oil into your engine.

But in reality, you probably just have some play in your bearings. I wouldn't worry about it.