1972 302. I just recently replaced the timing chain, distributor, and for about 2 weeks there has been no issues. before this drive I did an approximatly 60 mile trip all freeway. tword the last 10 miles i had a major over heating problem and oil pressure was off the gauge. I just the other day Had to do about 400-500 miles but before i left adjusted the distributor (someone told me that may cause the oil pressure and i knew the heat was from that) the whole trip the tempature was flawless, but oil pressure idling all the way up to 50 is off the gauge, ablove that it comes down and at 75+ oil pressure is loving it right where it should be. I do know that my #5 cylinder is not getting oil to the rockers. intake or exhaust. which has done this before cleared up shortly after. currently nothing flowing. one day i plan to rebuild everything on it. untill that day I have to repair it one issue at a time. As far as im concerned this engine is about to roll over to at least 300,000. cant say for sure but that is going by the age, and seeing the timing chain was replaced once before. other than the oil pressure and no flow truck runs pretty good and the only sounds are from that no flow. anything could help.

 

Don't know what you mean by major overheating or about oil pressure. With the high mileage you want to make sure oil is on the stick and coolant is in the tank. If it is boiling the coolant out then the concern needs to be found and corrected. If you can go out after several hours and take the cap off and see coolant, it is ok. If you pull the stick and see oil on it, it is ok.

Guages can go bonkers even though all is still good.



John

 

Man, this talk texting is hard to read. I would buy an additive called "seafoam" and put it in the oil. See if it balances everything back out. Reset the timing to 10 degrees BTD. It may take 12 but start at 10.

 

Are you sure it isn't just the gauges? That is too much oil pressure, not good. But I doubt if it is real. For one thing, I don't think a 300,000 mile oil pump could make that much pressure. Like the other guys said, you need to verify it is actually overheating, and screw a good mechanical gauge into the oil pressure port to verify that reading too. I have one on a grease gun hose, been using it for years.

 

In my 94 Explorer the gauges went nuts (both temp and oil pressure) because of a short in the wiring under the hood. Turns out the loom got up against the exhaust and burned through. Check those wires. On these older trucks it is not uncommon for the insulation to be cracked off exposing the wire, and everything around it that is metal (the engine) is ground.

 

+1
if it's not a Mechanical gauge (old hose style) a short will cause high readings