low oil pressure 440

[Anonymous]

calling all big block engine experts

I installed my 440 and it runs ok but the oil light takes ages to go out and now won;t even go out unless i rev it up quite a bit. thought it was dodgy sender at first but it isnt. Have connected gauge. 15 psi if im lucky, and 0 or just above at idle. Not going to drive it! Took oil pump off and it looks fine, applied air to the oil gallery to check for resistance, and there was NO resistance. I mean, the air blows in there freely without forcing back, and if you take the oil cap off, a strong jet of air blows out of it, as if the oilway is leaking into the general crankcase area somehow. (meaning no pressure can actually develop)

ANYONE GOT ANY IDEA what could be wrong. I can't believe it, but i seem to have bought anothe DUFF ENGINE. IU don;t know what to do, i am so depressed today its unreal Help!

[Dave-R]

Maybe a screw-in plug missing from an oilway. Maybe worn lifter bores or a lifter missing? You sure all the valves are working? You did comment it seemed low on performance too.

[Anonymous]

Hi Dave, checked it was running on all 8 by doing a power balance test. Anyways, I changed the oil pump (fitted a high volume one off the 383) and that seems to have improved matters dramatically. Perhaps its compensating for worn cam bearings or lifters or somthing so anyway drove it properly tonight, took her on the motorway. 20psi oil pressure at idle, 50 when driving. Good enough.

(the performance it still rather lacklustre)

I did a nice little mod, fitted a sender for an oil light, but instead of fitting a lamp in the dash, i connected it to that huge brake warning lamp. So if that comes on, i can glance at the oil gauge to see if theres an engine problem, else its brake balance (or park brake on)

Might get her on a rolling road to see what she's doing. Feels like a 15's car at the moment..

Solved my radiator woes hopefully as i finally just decided to bolt in a nice big Datsun rad and so far, no more getting too hot!