I have just got the car running over the last couple weeks so there isn't a lot of time with the car.

The oil pressure was fine until about a day or 2.
The oil pressure is below 10 at idle and 35-40 at 4000 rpm.
(oil pressure guage is comp electrical guage)

Never had any experience chasingthis kind of problem and would love some advice

It has an external oil single line, deep pan.

The engine is a Mopar 500 inch crate engine I bought used. The engine is about 5-6 years old, Eddy heads Small hydralic roller cam.

I was thinking of just pulling the pan and seeing if there is any crap at the pickup? (easy to do with the modified oil k-frame)

(oil changed recently, had some dye in it to find some oil leaks)

What should I look for in the oil pump when I remove that?

Anything I should check. It is noisy for a hydralic cam.

Number one thing... check it with a mech gauge

not much in the pump to screw up. its easy to take off and look at. maybe try a different filter? could have a crack in the pick-up and sucking some air.

are the lifter bores bushed? Too much lifter bore clearance is one culprit. Many original blocks have bores that are worn out and some are even oversize from the factory and had oversize lifters to "fix" it. What type of rocker gear is on it?

MB

I know it sounds too simple but I have had the screw that hold the relief spring in the pump back out.

I've seen this with full grove engine bearings. Excessive oil clearance on the rod and main bearings as well as the lifter bores will also do it.

Roller lifters can also expose oil grooves to the rockers.

Light weight engine oils sometimes reduce pressure, but also increase volume. I often see synthetics that I swear won't develop much oil pressure. Volume is better than pressure. New cars don't have oil pressure gauges because if the buyer knew what the oil pressure really was with 20 weight synthetic they would demand a new motor.

30 to 40 pounds is fine. 10 pounds at idle is low, but also fine. However check it with a known mechanical gauge to be sure.

Dont make the same mistake as i did with my Hemi a few years back (some of you know) Re check with atleast TWO (2) other gauges.

second check the pickup

Does it have a Fram filter on it? If the gauge checks out change the filter to a Wix (napa gold) and if the pressure is still low cut the old filter to check for shrapnel. Check the relief valve as was posted above. The spring could be broke or the valve stuck in its bore. Easy to check.

Kevin

Crane gold rockers and I and crane hydralic roller lifters

Thanks Bob I will come down to borrow it

Any raw gas in your oil??

it sounds like the bypass valve in the oil pump is stuck partially open especailly when it was good one day and bad the next time you used it Let us know what you find

I found a mechanical oil pressure guage at the house and installed it but it was too late to start the car

If the pressure is the same I will
1. Check the pressure relief in the pump
2. Change the oil and filter (It was a fram filter and synthetic oil) I will check with our Napa
3. Check for any fuel in the oil (it is an EFI engine with 83 lb injectors wheer 36 lb would probably do, but I will be procharging it and need those injectors in the future)

Anything else?

Thanks

Rob..hope you get your oil pressure problem solved..with an EASY FIX! Sure missed ya' at Norwalk! Had a GREAT time,as usual!...and Doc had a GREAT run going on Saturday night,which I'm sure you've heard already! Good Luck..and let us know what you find!

Well I hope there is an easy answer but here is what I have done.
Checked with a mechanical gauge, still 10 lbs at idle.

I removed the plug and spring for the pressure relief (Milodon Single line - new) to static pickup
I could not see the valve . I could not feel it with my little finger.

I changed the oil to Brad Penn 20W50 and a Napa Gold filter.

I started it and now have 0 (zero) oil pressure.

Note The line from the oil pump to the pan is very short (only a few inches)

To get at the oil pump will be a pain so it there is anything I can do before removing the pump... would love to hear it

Engine Plate
Mid Plate and transshield,
Engine lower one inch and back 1 inch
Hard to raise the engine

Pull the dist and intermediate shaft and use a priming rod
and see what happens(no more start up's till you figure it out