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rebuilt engine low oil pressure


Jack B

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Oil pressure gauge goes crazy. Newly rebuilt engine.
 


tw205

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We need a little more info. Is the gauge a factory gauge? Define going crazy. How extensive was the rebuild? Bored over size? New cam bearings? What engine are we talking about?
 

Jack B

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Tried both factory and after market, both do same thing. They fluctuate and drop to under 5 lbs when they get warm. Just rings, bearings, oil pump etc. Just a refresh, engine runs very well and no unwanted noises.
 

tw205

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I’m guessing a 2.9. Often with symptoms you describe the cam bearings are the cause. I believe the oil passages for the top end go thru the cam bearings. Unfortunately they are often overlooked during a refresh. I had the same issue you seem to have. Not much can be done without tearing it down again. I would add a quart of Lucas Oil Treatment during oil changes and it seemed to help my old 2.9. Eventually I found another engine and swapped it out.
Good luck fren. .
 

tw205

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Another thought. Did you have low pressure before the rebuild? Plasti gauge the new bearings?
 

Jack B

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Thanks tw205 for the reply. It really wasn't what I wanted to hear but the truth can be painful.
 

Uncle Gump

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Usually if the cam bearings are worn out... the valve train clatters pretty good.

Have you installed a mechanical Guage to check pressure.

Does it turn on the oil pressure light?
 

JerryC

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On my 88 there's two different senders, one for idiot light and one for an actual gauge.
 

Brutal6

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On my 85 B2, 2.8, the factory gauge will barely move off the peg after warm-up and I've driven it for over 8 years and it still runs okay. I had the engine rebuilt after the person I bought it from had ran it dry on oil. I don't know what all the rebuilder did but whatever it was, sans the oil pressure, it does okay. I figured when it breaks I will fix, or have it fixed.
 

Jack B

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I have installed an external rocker arm oiler. I'm going to drive it until it blows
 

Uncle Gump

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Hmmm...

I'd like to see what you did for that.
 

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