383 oil pressure problems - Moparts Forums

Register Log In Moparts Forums Moparts Question and Answer 383 oil pressure problems

Print Thread

383 oil pressure problems #1485497 08/17/13 03:47 AM 08/17/13 03:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA J JoesMopar OP master
JoesMopar OP master J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA	I have a rebuilt 383 in my Road Runner that has had zero problems for over a year. Tonight, I noticed the oil pressure gauge starting to fluctuate much more, and in some instances, drop to zero. It's a cheapo mechanical gauge. I noticed when I floored the car and wound out each gear, the pressure would want to back off at higher rpms, before each gear change (727). A couple of times when I started the car up, there was NO oil pressure and it took 5-10 seconds for the pressure to come up, however I didn't hear the engine get any noisier than usual (Comp XE cam and lifters). A few times the pressure would just fluctuate wildly. I was going up a small hill, got on the gas a little, and the pressure dropped to zero, again, with no extra noise for about 5-10 sec and came back up. It's as if these problems came out of nowhere. I'm concerned something serious might be wrong. I thought about the pressure relief valve, but I can't convince myself and was just wondering what you guys think. Like I said, it has NEVER done this before and I'm not sure if a mechanical gauge can just crap out or not. When the car is in park or neutral and hot, it runs about 25 psi. I can rev it up and it will immediately jump to ~50 psi. When I'm cruising it runs right around 50psi as well. I'm running Rotella 15w-40 (with zinc additive) and a Napa Gold 1515 filter, stock pan w/windage tray (402 iirc) and std oil pump. Thanks for any help

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485498 08/17/13 04:17 AM 08/17/13 04:17 AM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa 340SHORTY Truck Nut
340SHORTY Truck Nut Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa	low oil level, failing gauge, bad connection at the sending unit, bad sending unit...... I am truckless..

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485499 08/17/13 09:46 AM 08/17/13 09:46 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Yes I'd put on a good gauge & see it that's it. After that if still no go I'd think (1) pickup too close to pan or way too much clearance (2) partly plugged pickup (less likely) (3) reg issue (less likely). I'm thinking it's the gauge. Holler how it goes live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485500 08/17/13 11:07 AM 08/17/13 11:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,071 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,071 U.S.S.A.	Do you still have the idiot light connected and if so is it coming on ? If you don't have it connected it would be a good idea to make it functional again as a back up and also get another gauge to confirm if the cheap chinese piece of junk is correct or not . Also what kind on line , nylon or brass ? check for kinks.

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JohnRR] #1485501 08/17/13 12:21 PM 08/17/13 12:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA J JoesMopar OP master
JoesMopar OP master J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA	No idiot light hooked up. How could the pickup suddenly be too close or too far away after all this time? I might have another mech. gauge laying around somewhere I'll try out. The line is nylon, haven't seen any kinks, but the sending unit does leak after the car is shut off. I can't get it to seal to save my life.

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485502 08/17/13 04:00 PM 08/17/13 04:00 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: How could the pickup suddenly be too close or too far away after all this time? Yes, after I posted I realized that now "too far away" could not happen out of the clear blue however too close could happen from the pan getting dented live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485503 08/17/13 04:37 PM 08/17/13 04:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,457 Omaha Ne T TJP I Live Here
TJP I Live Here T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,457 Omaha Ne	Step 1 verify the gauge. Step 2 Change the oil filter Step 3 change the oil pump. www.tandmautomotive-omaha.com

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: TJP] #1485504 08/17/13 08:52 PM 08/17/13 08:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: Step 1 verify the gauge. Step 2 Change the oil filter Step 3 change the oil pump. Ding ding ding I do believe we have a winna. I'd change the filter first tho. What brand is it, does it start with a f live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: TJP] #1485505 08/17/13 09:43 PM 08/17/13 09:43 PM
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours Supercuda About to go away
Supercuda About to go away Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,889 up yours	Quote: Step 1 verify the gauge. Step 2 Change the oil filter Step 3 change the oil pump. Might want to pull the valve covers and make sure you didn't pop a lifter out, BTDT. Then make sure you didn't twist the end of the oil pump drive off, BTDT. They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: Supercuda] #1485506 08/18/13 01:14 AM 08/18/13 01:14 AM
Joined: May 2013 Posts: 172 IL,USA bdusted440 member
bdusted440 member Joined: May 2013 Posts: 172 IL,USA	And put gas engine oil in it not diesel oil. From exp at the dealer diesel oil eats at the babit on the bearings of gas engines. Diesel bearings are different. Our lube guy put the wrong oil in a ram and it cost the dealer an engine.My .02 currently own 1976 duster deluxe 1974 gold duster 1993 Dakota sport 2000 caravan 2002 Durango 1970 v code superbee

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: bdusted440] #1485507 08/18/13 02:28 AM 08/18/13 02:28 AM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa 340SHORTY Truck Nut
340SHORTY Truck Nut Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa	Quote: And put gas engine oil in it not diesel oil. From exp at the dealer diesel oil eats at the babit on the bearings of gas engines. Diesel bearings are different. Our lube guy put the wrong oil in a ram and it cost the dealer an engine.My .02 I am truckless..

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: bdusted440] #1485508 08/18/13 03:00 AM 08/18/13 03:00 AM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,251 Bend,OR USA C Cab_Burge I Win
Cab_Burge I Win C Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,251 Bend,OR USA	Quote: And put gas engine oil in it not diesel oil. From exp at the dealer diesel oil eats at the babit on the bearings of gas engines. Diesel bearings are different. Our lube guy put the wrong oil in a ram and it cost the dealer an engine.My .02 Most of the standard production and Hi Po rod and main bearings are Tri Metal for automatic trans race cars and Babbit for stick shift cars Me thinks somebody put something other than "diesel" oil in that vechicle that had the oil problems at your dealership Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: Cab_Burge] #1485509 08/18/13 11:40 AM 08/18/13 11:40 AM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: Me thinks somebody put something other than "diesel" oil in that vechicle that had the oil problems at your dealership X2 live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: RapidRobert] #1485510 08/22/13 12:46 AM 08/22/13 12:46 AM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA J JoesMopar OP master
JoesMopar OP master J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA	Well, I checked my oil, which I do on a regular basis, and it was a quart low. I know it's leaking from the sending unit that I can't get to seal. Last time I checked it was a little more than 1/2 a quart low but I was planning on changing the oil soon and didn't bother to add any. I threw a quart in this evening, brought it right back to full and the problem disappeared. I think I may have the pickup a little further from the pan than it needs to be. I'm not going to take the pan off to check, I'm going to just not be so lazy, or cheap, and keep it filled....or better yet...finally fix the leaky sending unit.

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485511 08/22/13 08:17 AM 08/22/13 08:17 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,664 Newfoundland M mopar_man master
mopar_man master M Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,664 Newfoundland	with that said , i'd add another quart and be safe .

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485512 08/22/13 12:23 PM 08/22/13 12:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,457 Omaha Ne T TJP I Live Here
TJP I Live Here T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,457 Omaha Ne	Quote: Well, I checked my oil, which I do on a regular basis, and it was a quart low. I know it's leaking from the sending unit that I can't get to seal. Last time I checked it was a little more than 1/2 a quart low but I was planning on changing the oil soon and didn't bother to add any. I threw a quart in this evening, brought it right back to full and the problem disappeared. I think I may have the pickup a little further from the pan than it needs to be. I'm not going to take the pan off to check, I'm going to just not be so lazy, or cheap, and keep it filled....or better yet...finally fix the leaky sending unit. What you are describing is a situation in which the motor has been starved for oil specifically under load at higher RPM's YIKES!!!! I'm going to just not be so lazy, or cheap, and keep it filled....or better yet...finally fix the leaky sending unit. I would suggest verifying that it is the pickup. this could probably be accomplished by draining the oil and looking in through the drain hole with an good light or inspection camera. If it is too far off the floor of the pan I would drop the pan and fix it before you lose the bearings. Overfilling it by adding an extra quart is a band aid that could lead to other consequences

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: TJP] #1485513 08/22/13 12:58 PM 08/22/13 12:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,376 D dogdays I Live Here
dogdays I Live Here D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,376	It isn't the pump or the pickup, it's a classic oil starvation situation. At high rpm the oil gets pumped to the top of the engine faster than it can drain back into the sump. That's what is happening. Period. Oil is "stacking up" in the valve covers. When the oil pump sucks in a gob of air it takes a while for it to get oil back in it. When your lifters clatter that says they're not getting a supply of pressurized oil. Back in the day, it was a common story that the installation of a high volume pump in a bigblock could cause this. I don't know if I believe it or not, but it was a common feeling among Mopar bigblock owners. You know now that you MUST keep the oil level topped off, unless you want to rebuild the engine. It's possible if you are using a higher viscosity oil that it isn't draining back because it's too thick. Or, it's possible that this occurred while the oil was still pretty cool, again increasing the viscosity. Some people have restricted oil flow to the top end of the engine to avoid this problem when running for long periods of time at high rpm. Others have increased sump capacity. Also, it is possible to debur and "port" the return oil passages so oil drains back from the heads faster. R. Re: Diesel engine oil "eating" bearings: What a load of male bovine excrement! Commercially available Diesel engine lubricants are rated for use in either compression ignition or spark ignition engines.

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: dogdays] #1485514 08/22/13 01:54 PM 08/22/13 01:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA J JoesMopar OP master
JoesMopar OP master J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA	Well, it had the stock 4 qt pan. I figure that a quart low, that would mean the most it would have is 3 in the pan...minus whatever is slinging around the engine, possibly only 2 qt in the pan with it running? I didn't use exact science when I installed the pickup, and it's been fine for a long time until the oil got down more than 3/4 of a quart. I was going to change the oil anyway for the upcoming winter, I didn't think a quart low would cause a problem since it's only lost a quart since April.

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: JoesMopar] #1485515 08/22/13 03:55 PM 08/22/13 03:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,251 Bend,OR USA C Cab_Burge I Win
Cab_Burge I Win C Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 43,251 Bend,OR USA	The Mopar factory service manuals, al of them that I have read from 1963 to 1971, recommend installing the oil pickup tube in Mopar V8 so it rest on the bottom of the oil pans That works very well for the factory I remove the oil pan drain plug and use a stiff wire, even the oil dip stick will work and slide it under the oil pick up and the pan bottom, I shoot for between .060 and .125 clearances bewteen the pickup and the bottom of the pan on stock oil pans and stock internal pickups I saw a loss of oil pressure at the 1/4 mile tracks with my Duster with a 400 stroker motor when I let off at the end of the 1/4 mile using the 1970/71 Hemi and 440-6 pak 6 quart oil pan with the stock 3/8 inch 6 pak pickup when I let it get one quart low That car ran 128+ MPH in the 1/4 then Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)

Re: 383 oil pressure problems [Re: Cab_Burge] #1485516 08/22/13 05:00 PM 08/22/13 05:00 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA J JoesMopar OP master
JoesMopar OP master J Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,782 USA	I'll definitely try that when I change the oil. Thanks for all the advice.

Moderated by Al_Alguire, Hotwheelsjr, moparts, not_a_charger, RangerDan440, tboomer

Hop To

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1