CoopKill's Mistress Makeover Thread [Pic Heavy]

[CoopKill]

Will be pullng a couple caps to inspect as well.

[CoopKill]

I haz questions about this lack of oil presure issue. I have been beating my head trying to figure out what could be causing this. The gauge fluctuates as it idles similar to running low on oil starving the pick up. Seems to have been getting worse from the first build/install (low point of around 12-15psi @ idle & 50psi @2300rpm) it is now dropping to around 5-8psi at idle & 35-40 @ 2300rpm, and does not climb much above that as rpm goes up. (no I have not started it since the last time I drove it)

The pump is out, and I will be pulling it apart to inspect hopefully tonight.


I have the following ideas as I see it.

Could be:

- Bearing clearances (unlikely due to the same issue present after both rebuilds, the 2nd having tighter tolerances, and chamfered ports in the crank) (will be checking the rod bearings, and if damage present will pull the cradle)

- Bypass valve in the pump (pulled it, and the spring/plunger seem perfect when comparing to new)

- Oil pump with 3k on it failing (not likely, but my best bet at this point)

Unsure if related:

- Oil restrictors in the heads missing (unsure about this one, and its effects)

- Restiction in the oil cooler, or failing cooler bypass (unsure about this one, and its effects) (I did pull the bypass apart during the first build assembly)

- I'm a dumbass, and should put down the tools, and step away from her.

Looking for some insite to my issue. I have a bad feeling that when the new pumpo goes in I will be where I am now...

[NOMIEZVR4]

How about your crank...was it checked for straightness and trueness?

[CoopKill]

Yesir, it was at the machine shop both times, and perfect.

[NOMIEZVR4]

Here is what I would do....it sounds crazy but hear me out...

sell shorty...TAKE the loss...get rid of it completely...

Buy Pampena shorty...throw heads on it, call it a day. Enjoy your car and get out of this rut.

How long has this 'build' been going on for??

[OhioSpyderman]

You know what they always say ...... time to part it out!!!!!

Bob.

[CoopKill]

It's not the shorty I am confident in that. I am just nervous that a pump will not fix it.

Going on 1.5 yrs! There have been a few setbacks, a few versions, and loitering on my part with it.

[NOMIEZVR4]

It's not the shorty I am confident in that. I am just nervous that a pump will not fix it.

Going on 1.5 yrs! There have been a few setbacks, a few versions, and loitering on my part with it.

WTH...if its not the pump then what else do you think it is?? How many times have you assembled/disassembled that thing?

[CoopKill]

WTH...if its not the pump then what else do you think it is?? How many times have you assembled/disassembled that thing?

Twice, once for the bearings/heads/rings, and once for the bearings/rods/pistons. Nothing is ever staight forward for me. I have accepted that...

[Jimvr4]

Purely a guess but I *think* the oil pressure sending unit and idiot gauge are mounted in an oil galley that splits off from the block feed. Low pressure there would mean either the resistance in the block (crank, bearings) is too low or resistance in the head is too low, or pump isn't doing its job. Since you are confident in the shorty I come to the guess that the restrictors in the heads are not there. Without those restrictors the oil simply gushes through the head and back to the sump.