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Low oil Pressure
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Low oil Pressure
I see that there is a lot of questions about this subject. New build 390 engine. All new parts including a hi volume oil pump. I have the 15 lbs pressure that seems normal (to me that seems low, but that seems ok with most). Very little or no oil to the rockers. Question is how much oil should the rockers get? Rocker bolts are in the correct locations. Also how can I tell that motor is getting oil without waiting for catastrophe. I am new to FEs.
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low pressure
You could pull the distributor and manually drive the pump until you can figure things out. You should have more pressure and plenty of oil to the rockers. No worry of hurting anything. A good 1/2 inch drill should give you plenty of oil pressure
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I have an old modified distributor that I used with a drill motor for pre-oiling. There is very little pressure, but I can hear the oil returning to the pan and the oil filter fills quickly. I am using a new mechanical oil gauge, I didn't believe the electrical one. No oil is pumped to the rockers. New to FEs (I normally build Chevys, sorry about that. I was talked into this one) I was very careful to insure all the plugs were in and all the bolts were in the correct holes. I appreciate your help.
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From: Helsinki
I have some experience with the FE engines. (Once owned 406 Tri-power, 428 Cobra-Jet and also two original SOHC 427 engines etc.)
FE-motors are notorious for low oil pressure at idle especially with the automatic transmission since the revs drop to like 500 rpm in 'D' if You have the stock converter. Hi-volume pump is the answer, just like You have installed. I would change the oil filter and see how it changes. I've see it happen. New oil filters are not perfect. Neither are new gauges.....
FE-motors are notorious for low oil pressure at idle especially with the automatic transmission since the revs drop to like 500 rpm in 'D' if You have the stock converter. Hi-volume pump is the answer, just like You have installed. I would change the oil filter and see how it changes. I've see it happen. New oil filters are not perfect. Neither are new gauges.....
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Thanks. I installed a new filter. I am starting to wonder about the oil flow I hear back into the pan. Makes me think I have good oil flow from the pump, but nothing to slow it down (create pressure) like bearings and such. It sounds like a lot of flow. Why would I have so much oil flow back to the pan?
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Thanks. I installed a new filter. I am starting to wonder about the oil flow I hear back into the pan. Makes me think I have good oil flow from the pump, but nothing to slow it down (create pressure) like bearings and such. It sounds like a lot of flow. Why would I have so much oil flow back to the pan?
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From: Helsinki
Thanks. I installed a new filter. I am starting to wonder about the oil flow I hear back into the pan. Makes me think I have good oil flow from the pump, but nothing to slow it down (create pressure) like bearings and such. It sounds like a lot of flow. Why would I have so much oil flow back to the pan?
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From: Douglas, Georgia
You have a HV pump and almost no oil pressure.
If you can hear a lot of oil hitting the pan I'd recheck that all the oil galley plugs are in place.
No oil to the rockers? make sure the oil holes in the rocker shaft are facing down.
due to you stating this is a new build, it seems the above two issues could have been something that was overlooked.
If you can hear a lot of oil hitting the pan I'd recheck that all the oil galley plugs are in place.
No oil to the rockers? make sure the oil holes in the rocker shaft are facing down.
due to you stating this is a new build, it seems the above two issues could have been something that was overlooked.
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From: Douglas, Georgia
That is indeed an old rule.
This isn't some worn out old engine tho, it is a new build he has with a HV pump.
That being the case you should have + or - 15psi
80psi cold idle
55psi hot idle
65psi cruising at 2500rpms
40psi ultimate lowest at decel when hot.
If you are not in this area something is missing or incorrect. If it were a stock oil pump, I'd expect to see 25psi lower than this pretty much all across the board. If it were a worn out engine with a stock pump I'd expect another 5-10psi lower than that and would consider it normal.
I'd be looking for oil galley plugs, especially the one that resides behind the distributor. Priming the oil pump while inspecting the lifter valley or below where the distributor sits should aid your discovery.
This isn't some worn out old engine tho, it is a new build he has with a HV pump.
That being the case you should have + or - 15psi
80psi cold idle
55psi hot idle
65psi cruising at 2500rpms
40psi ultimate lowest at decel when hot.
If you are not in this area something is missing or incorrect. If it were a stock oil pump, I'd expect to see 25psi lower than this pretty much all across the board. If it were a worn out engine with a stock pump I'd expect another 5-10psi lower than that and would consider it normal.
I'd be looking for oil galley plugs, especially the one that resides behind the distributor. Priming the oil pump while inspecting the lifter valley or below where the distributor sits should aid your discovery.
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Thanks everybody. This all gives me things to check. I had previously checked the galley plug inside/ behind the distributor and it is there. It looks deep in the hole, not with the surface of the casting. I replaced the galley plugs with a plug kit, so I think they are all there. Are you saying I should have 80psi cold or 15psi cold? I have the 15psi at the filter, but no oil on the top end. I will check the rocker shafts.
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From: Douglas, Georgia
That is what my engine with a HV pump runs.
I could see you being *within* 15psi of any of those figures, but I've never seen a brand new engine with a HV pump run 15psi at idle.
Even the worn out FE's with a stock pump run more pressure at the filter when cold.
I'd question the gauge's accuracy but you say the rockers are getting no oil. They should be gushing pretty well and putting enough oil up there that you nee valve covers installed to contain it all.
I could see you being *within* 15psi of any of those figures, but I've never seen a brand new engine with a HV pump run 15psi at idle.
Even the worn out FE's with a stock pump run more pressure at the filter when cold.
I'd question the gauge's accuracy but you say the rockers are getting no oil. They should be gushing pretty well and putting enough oil up there that you nee valve covers installed to contain it all.