OIL PRESSURE problem

Posted By: JSSuperbee

OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 03:15 AM

Recently had the 383 completely rebuilt...everything new! Its been overheating since first putting it on the road 3 1/2 weeks ago. Now has 135 miles on it. Took it to the radiator shop this morning and on the way the lifters started clattering like crazy. Pulled into
the radiator shop lot (it was running warm, maybe 195 degrees). Shut it off. Started it up again & watched the oil pressure gauge. NO OIL PRESSURE and the lifters clattering real loud (but no knocking). Had it towed home. Took the filter to the rebuild shop for inspection...no metal debris in it. Rebuild shop said pull the distributor & spin the oil pump and look for pressure. Did that and got about 25lbs. of pressure on the gauge with the drill. Put it all back together and turned the engine over with the starter only.....again...no pressure registered on the gauge. I'm afraid to start the engine. Any thoughts on this?

Posted By: badblack68

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 03:25 AM

Probably popped a lifter out of its bore. Look for a lifter in the lifter valley. You can pull the valve covers to check.

Posted By: JSSuperbee

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 03:29 AM

But all the lifters are clattering and the oil pressure gauge reads 0 pressure and engine runs very smooth. Any other thoughts?

Posted By: Classof70Chally

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 03:44 AM

Quote:

Probably popped a lifter out of its bore. Look for a lifter in the lifter valley. You can pull the valve covers to check.

It's quick to pull the valve covers and check the pushrods, etc. Then while you are there spin the oil pump with the drill again only this time have someone else put a socket on the crank bolt and turn the engine over. You should get oil to the rockers fairly quickly.

Posted By: badblack68

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 03:45 AM

Pull the valve covers and have a look at your rocker assemblies. Hopefully you didn't wipe the cam out but probably not since you said the oil filter wasn't full of metak.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 04:24 AM

Quote:

But all the lifters are clattering and the oil pressure gauge reads 0 pressure and engine runs very smooth. Any other thoughts?

it will run smooth w no psi until it locks up from inadequate lube to the bearings. I would stop dead in your tracks & tear it down & find out where the problem is(why overheating and why no/little psi)

Posted By: IMGTX

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 04:27 AM

What did the end of the distributor drive look like?

Was it rounded off?

If you have oil pressure with a drill and hex rod but not the dist drive I would start there. Check the end of the drive and the oil pump to be sure the pump isn't going bad where the drive connects.

Posted By: RussW

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 04:34 AM

Milodon pickup ???

Posted By: R70RUNNER

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 04:41 AM

cam bearing not installed correctly or turned in the block? pull the valve covers, spin the pump with a drill while a helper rotates the crank. make sure your getting oil up top

Posted By: JSSuperbee

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 06:02 AM

Stock Dodge pump.

Posted By: JSSuperbee

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 06:07 AM

Distributor drive looks excellent. No trace of wear. It's not rounded off. Why would I have oil pressure when spinning it with a drill and not while spinning it with the starter or with the engine running?

Posted By: IMGTX

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 01:40 PM

See that is what gets me. There are only 2 differences in the scenarios 1. Pump driven by a different device and 2. Engine is moving.

I would pull the pump and check the input end of the pump. Compare how tight the distributor drive is in it to the hex drive rod.

The only other thing I can think of is a bent pushrod allowing the lifter to move too far out of place and exposing the oil gallery when the engine is moving but settled into place by the time you used the drill.

It won't hurt to pull the valve covers too.

Is it a mechanical gauge or the factory one?

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 04:43 PM

I recently went through the same problem with one of my 440s except for the overheating. No oil pressure all at once while coming to a stop. Couldn't get pressure spinning the engine with the plugs out, spun with a drill and had about 20 lbs. (not enough). I pulled the intake, valve covers, and oil pan; everything fine. I cut the filter open too, no junk or gunk in it or the pickup.
Since I had just bought the car and it had had a fresh oil change with (do I dare say it?) Fram oil filter, I figured I'd run it for the life of the oil.
The ONLY thing I changed was the brand of filter, which I was hesitant to leave on the engine when I bought it. Spun it with a drill and got 60psi instantly. I fill the oil filter before installing it of course. No problem since. If you are running one of these filters I would change it. Next, I would look at the cam bearings for oil hole alignment.

Posted By: JSSuperbee

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 07:09 PM

It's a factory electrical gauge. I had all the gauges checked for accuracy by that automotive electrican in Arkansas. The oil pump is brand new and I get 35lbs. of pressure when spinning the pump with the drill.

Posted By: JSSuperbee

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 07:12 PM

I was running the MOPAR filter from Year One. Did your lifters begin clattering very badly when you noticed the loss of oil pressure?

Posted By: 64Post

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 08:07 PM

Maybe a cracked pick up boss...

Posted By: Mopar1

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/10/09 11:06 PM

Quote:

I was running the MOPAR filter from Year One. Did your lifters begin clattering very badly when you noticed the loss of oil pressure?

Mopar doesn't make filters, it could still be the dreaded FRAM. Try a another brand ie. Wix (NAPA GOLD) before you dig too deep.

Posted By: jcastle1

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/11/09 01:34 AM

just pull the valve covers off and I'm pretty sure you will see the problem.you can generate a small amount of oil pressure with a drill even if a lifter is out of its bore!

Posted By: buckeye

Re: OIL PRESSURE problem - 07/11/09 12:14 PM

i had a fresh rebuild on a chevy . on way to work oil light came on but that evening all was good so put mech, gauge in next morning rounding same curve gauge hitt,s zero by time i got to work liffer,s were chattering,, got off work drove home no problem changer the filter it wasnt, a fram but 6 year,s later no problem