Thread: Need Help with Engine Oiliing

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I know there are lots of guys that know the answer so any help would be appreciated

My gauge reads 0 but it was having readings like that years ago when the truck was running at 0 then it would jump up to 40 high speed warm up. Now it stays at 0. I just recently got the truck running after 7 years of sitting outside. The Engine is a 76 454 in a 86 truck C10 body.

I got worried and took the valve covers off, I was happy to see oil but I thought the inside of the valve cover should have had some oil splashed on it.

Number 8 intake assembly was dry. I put oil around the push rod and gave the rocker arm and spring a pretty good shot of clean oil. Later as the truck was running it looked like it was getting oil. The truck sat for along time and I'm wondering if it could be plugged up in the passages but it looks clean.

Can anyone shed some light on this if there is maybe an additive to run through the motor? Could it be the oil pump is worn out for not pumping like it should? I would hate to have to take the oil pan off but if it’s not enough pressure then I guess I would have to. I'm going for a sending unit since it has the electric type with the wire, and I'm getting a good oil pressure gauge.

I have never had to change an oil-sending unit before nor an oil pump. I could use a tip if there is and I have to go that route. I had a pick up tube come off a 327 Chevy and it destroyed the engine.

I have two videos on the engine without the valve cover you can see number 8 intake or the second from the last on the passenger side is dry. When I put oil in and around the rocker arm assembly it looks like it was getting oil but that could have still been my oil that I put around it.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHZrZdnXpTs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZqjd3oC1c



Thanks
Richard

I have seen people put a quart of diesel or even transmission fluid in an engine and run them thinking it would help to clean it. They say Marvel is good for restoring a system.

A couple things to think about. First, oil flow lubricates, not oil pressure (if anyone feels like flaming me think for a minute first). Pressure is the measure of resistence to flow. If your system is really "plugged" it could result in either no pressure reading or a very high pressure reading depending on where the sensor is in relation to the "plug". If you observe oil flow at the rocker arms then the system, or part of the system, is not plugged (though #8 lifter/push rod may be). I think you said you're going to get a "new", known functional gauge and sensor. Since it sounds like you have oil flowing when it's running that is the logical starting point.

There's an oil passage plug on the lower left (drivers side) of the engine facing the radiator. Take a pressure reading there. If it's low you MAY have a bad pump or a clogged screen on the pump.

Thanks sfort, and Bob,

The heads look really clean. I was pretty good about changing the oil. After putting oil around the rocker, and push rod my wife said it looked like it was getting oil but could have been the oil I put down through the push rod. That gauge was known to scare me more then once by staying at 0 then jumping up to 40 real quick. I'm going to put the fan and shroud back on this evening and tomorrow I'll get a new sending unit and new gauge.

Before I put the new gaskets on I'll make sure all the rockers are getting oil.


Thanks, Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer2

There's an oil passage plug on the lower left (drivers side) of the engine facing the radiator. Take a pressure reading there. If it's low you MAY have a bad pump or a clogged screen on the pump.

Thanks, I should do that before putting the shroud on to have as much room as possible.

Richard

Geezer2

Looks like the power steering pump may be in front of it. The sending unit is by the oil filter it's hard to see. I put white marks around the top, it has a wire connection if I can get to it to put the fittings on I guess I'll have to go that way. I have seen them by the distributor is too high for a good reading?



sending-unit.JPG

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Richard

You can get oil pressure readings from both the rear of the block next to the distributor or down by the oil filter. However I do believe you have it wrong about which produces the highest pressure. The reading from the oil filter area is were the highest reading is compared to the rear of the block by the distributor. Both of these locations provide "Good" information.

I am pretty sure this is correct however if I am wrong someone correct me please.

Roland

By the filter is the best, but in some cases the front of the block is more accesible. Unless you have a P/S pump in the way.

Thanks for the information, I’ll see if I can get the fittings and the socket to put it on by the filter. The distributor would be a tight fit by the way it looks. One way or the other I hope I can get oil to the dry rocker and have decent pressure.

Thanks again to all
Richard

I finally got the new oil pressure gauge on this evening and was happy with the reading. The old sensor was a bear to get off, I had to use a hacksaw blade between the frame and header to cut the pipe going to the Tee. The canister type sensor was just spinning and it hit the block so the only thing I could think of was to cut it off.

Dr. Appointment for my wife yesterday ECHO test and Dr. appointment for me this morning follow up for the sinus surgery but I just had to see what was going to happen. After the reading I pulled the Valve cover off the passenger side and it looks like number 8 is getting oil. The idle I'm not sure since I don't have a tach but just guessing it's maybe 1000 rpm. I put 20w40 I couldn't find 20w50 but I'm going to run it just a little longer then change the oil and filter again.


Image020.jpg


Thanks for the help
Richard

Got lucky and saved a 454 with a little pep. Drove it around the driveway today and just had to give just a quick couple of taps. 50 lbs at idle so far it seems to be ok after not running for over 7 years. I have another truck that's been sitting for along time I just may try to save the 350 in it. I put a new head, starter, fuel pump and alternator on engine, the truck is junk. The engine would be nice in the 50 Ford.


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Richard

Keep us going Barb!!!!

pressure looks good Richard. It would be nice the resurect another vehicle with parts on hand!

Steve,
If I had a little bit more confidence in myself I would pull the 454 out of the truck since it is rusty and put that engine in the chopped top 50 ford.

I have two more old Chevy trucks just sitting there so I don't have anything to lose except time and sore bones. I have a 305 from a 76 Nova sitting on the floor with the trans still hooked up. A paint job and new gaskets would do wonders since it was leaking oil when I bought it for parts. The junkyards are getting low on the cars we want for parts at least where I'm at. They are crushing them more and more.

My friend that was paralyzed as a 19 year old kid told me he has a 454 in a truck that hasn’t been started up for about the same amount of time as mine set. I told him I would help him try to get it going. I was telling my friend what I would like to do with that engine and him sitting in a wheel chair said, "Just do it."

When I was a young guy late teens early twenty's I didn't think twice about pulling a motor and putting another back in the same day. We would paint a car in one day also when we were young. I borrowed the neighbor’s air compressor paint gun and his expertise to paint a 55 Chevy while on a three-day leave from the Army. As for me now as I get older I seem to be losing the confidence. Now that the truck worked out I may attempt another project.

Richard