This is my first time posting though I have read the site a lot before.
Over the past three months I have rebuilt a '66 289 to put into my '69 Bronco. I followed the book, took my time, and got a lot of advice from friends. It is nothing wild- Edelbrock Performer cam, intake, and carb. Stock heads completely redone and Comp Cams springs. Block is bored .030 over with new stock style flat top pistons. The engine is in the truck and I did the run in as the book suggested 15-20 minutes at 2000-2500 rpm. It is also now timed to the new cam. The engine has only run maybe 35 minutes total so far.
The problem. Only 1-15psi oil pressure maximum and the left side valve train is tapping/ticking.
I replaced the already brand new oil pump and shaft with new ones and checked the pick up for clearance in the oil pan. No change.
So I pulled the intake and head off. Pushrods are fine, valves, springs are fine. Lifters seem ok too. The only other answers I've gotten are either a bad oil filter, or a blocked oil passage, or a spun main or cam bearing.

The engine starts fine and runs good besides this with no other noises.
The block was completely inspected and cleaned at local machine shop before assembly. All the bearings are brand new.
Obviously I don't want to pull the motor and rebuild it again, but if thats what it takes, so be it.
Does anybody have any ideas?

Thanks.

 

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When you get it back together, put a socket and strong drill on the oil pump. Watch the rockers and see what is and is not oiling. Plug a mechanical gauge in and watch it. You either have a blockage, it's sucking air, or there is a crack in the oil galley.
Good luck!

 

Did you have the crank checked/turned and plastiguage the bearings? Cam bearings replaced? Have seen cranks turned and wrong size bearings put in. Will kill oil pressure as will a non turned worn crank, or missing oil galley plugs.

 

The crank was just polished, it is not undersized. Plastiguage was used. The cam bearings are brand new.
The machinist today told me to try a different oil filter. One with a pressure valve? I just have the basic Fram filter on it now.

 

You said you had the block cleaned and inspected. Were the all of the oil gallery plugs installed if they were removed? There will be three on the front of the motor in behind the camshaft gear, and there will be one under the intake manifold at the back of the motor. I have seen the one under the intake manifold left out a lot of times. Good luck.

 

food for thought...
do you have adjustable rocker arms? if yes and are they adjusted properly?
incorrect valve adjustment will caused the problem you're having.

other than that I would take mvoeller advise about oil gallery issues.

 

try different gauge

 

I figured out the problem. The oil plug at the rear of the lifter valley was left uncovered. The rebuild book I followed made no mention of it anywhere. So i put in the 3/4" plug and the engine is perfect. Now I can't get the thing in gear no matter how far I adjust the clutch linkage.

 

You may have forked up and knocked the fork off the pivot in the bell housing. Or the cross shaft may not be in its proper place.

 

take that crap fram filter off there. put a purolator or motorcraft on there. frams are not a good brand and can cause bad oil pressure and not good filtration.