Thread: 390 Oil...where is it going?

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I have a '67 Galaxie with a 390 just "refreshed"

I tore it down to a shortblock, cleaned everything, removed lifters, checked main bearing number 3 (looked brand new), had heads redone (machined on block mating surface, new seats on exhaust, new exhaust valves, all valves cut, new seals, guides knurled, new springs.), new oil pump (high volume), reused intake (Edelbrock Performer 390), rebuilt carb, replaced points with Pertronix II...overall pretty good.

So...it ran great for about 2 weeks then started blowing a bit of smoke. Soon, the rocker arm shaft on the drivers side exploded...at the college, so it was fun getting it home. Replaced both sides with ProComp (all I could afford) roller rockers nd reused the dip trays. Ran fine, then I noticed a few things...

1) My dipstick is WRONG...like full at 3 quarts in the pan...no lifter noise so I'm thinking nothing bad happened, got that all corrected now (5 in the pan, 1 in the filter)

2) I started leaking oil out the back of my intake...checked the bolts...a bit loose, tightened them up, no more leaks.

3) Here's the real problem...after that intake leak was noticed, I realized I lost 1/2 a quart through that (great...), so I topped it off and was fine...ran it for a day...went back and checked, no leaks, but now a 1/4 quart low (bearly on the dipstick). Topped it off again...next day cold start (PAIN) and I blew oil smoke untill I got up to operating temp, then it went away...

My question...what could've caused this? I don't have a vacuum leak and I think if it was an intake gasket it'd be doing all the time, as it rarely does it if I get on it, but just at the beginning. At first (with 3 quarts of oil) I was making an astounding 25 lbs of pressure at 2,000 rpm (didn't take any higher) and now I'm making around 40 at 2,000 rpm, climlbs considerably at higher rpms, but settles to around 10 at idle (SAE 50, I'm dealing with HOT days here)...Someone told me it was the valves seating and whatnot, but this is my first engine so I'm a little concerned...any input would be great.

If it were mine I'd drop the pan and replace the high volume pump with a stock one.

I've heard that reccomendation before, but I'm not really turning more than 5,500 RPM and I have all new rockers, shafts, etc. Technically, it's already restricted with this up top, and I've never lost oil pressure at RPM. I'm not really worried about pumping too much oil, the local speed shop just recommended the pump to move more not make pressure. The pan never got sucked dry with only 3 quarts so it shouldn't now.

I cruise around (daily driver) no more than 2,500 RPM and I'll go out and mess around on the weekends, but like I said, NEVER above 5,500.

I believe that the professional engine builders on this site will agree with me.

Well it's nice to know almost all forums have that atmosphere to them. I appreciate the extremely helpful comments that completely answered my question. But hey, everyone's a legend in their own mind.

Sarcasm will get you no where.

And I'm sure arrogance has worked for you?

Forums, by nature, are a place where people are supposed to share knowledge. Yes, you gave your 2 cents, which is theoretically knowledge, BUT it in no way pertains to my question. If I wanted advice on oil pumps, I would've asked before I put the motor together. Your other reply, with the engine builder remark, was entirely off subject. So if you must, beat your chest and show your Internet superiority.

Originally Posted by Merc 006

I have a '67 Galaxie with a 390 just "refreshed"

I tore it down to a shortblock, cleaned everything, reused intake (Edelbrock Performer 390), rebuilt carb, overall pretty good.

1) My dipstick is WRONG...like full at 3 quarts in the pan...no lifter noise so I'm thinking nothing bad happened, got that all corrected now (5 in the pan, 1 in the filter)

2) I started leaking oil out the back of my intake...checked the bolts...a bit loose, tightened them up, no more leaks.

3) Here's the real problem...after that intake leak was noticed, I realized I lost 1/2 a quart through that (great...), so I topped it off and was fine...ran it for a day...went back and checked, no leaks, but now a 1/4 quart low (bearly on the dipstick). Topped it off again...next day cold start (PAIN) and I blew oil smoke untill I got up to operating temp, then it went away...

My question...what could've caused this? I don't have a vacuum leak and I think if it was an intake gasket it'd be doing all the time, as it rarely does it if I get on it, but just at the beginning. ..any input would be great.

Just a couple thoughts..
1. If that's a stock pan, I think it should be full at 4 in the pan w\1 in the filter. All my FE's were that way...

2. The intake "may" have hurt the gasket when it was loose... it may be drawing in oil from the lifter gallery.. just a guess but may be worth a look see.

3. Go easy on us, when you ask for "any input".... well, you got it!

Hope this helps some.

back in old days that's the 60s by the way. I ran into a couple of fes with this problem and it turned out to be fuel pump seal pumping fuel into the oil pan and diluting the oil so it gets past the rings and burns and goes out the tail pipe I saw a truck with an fe at the sce shop that blew up blew the dist. out and valve covers and oil pan and dip stick out so you might want to invest in a new fuel pump good luck ......ted

Originally Posted by Merc 006

Well it's nice to know almost all forums have that atmosphere to them. I appreciate the extremely helpful comments that completely answered my question. But hey, everyone's a legend in their own mind.

As a newbie, total of 4 posts, you really are way off base in your response to an active member with established credentials.

How about MY PROFESSIONAL engine builder's recommendations????-----If you needed more oil, Ford would of put in a bigger pump---with bigger/higher pressure pumps on a Ford type system there is a danger of blowing up the oil filter on cold startups--

valve guide knurling doesn't work ----when guides are worn they need to be replaced---

I agree with 34-40 especially about you probably being a quart over on the oil, not a good thing especially without a windage tray.

Unless I missed something you didn't replace the rings when you had it apart. With the top end sealing good now there is a good chance you could be pulling some oil past the rings.

I'm going to take a guess here but if you're only maintaing 10 PSI of oil pressure with a high volume pump and 50W oil on a hot idle I would suspect the bottom end of the engine is getting close to being on it's last legs.

The early Ford FE engines took 5 in the pan plus 1 for the filter, but later reduced the pan to 4 qts

I stand corrected Jerry, I just looked it up and the shop manual does show 5 + 1. I could have sworn it was only 5 total....CRS I guess.

Back THEN, oil at the gas stations came in ONE and FIVE qt containers

The chev v8s were 4 plus 1