No Oil Pressure while driving?!?!?!

My car has a stock block, 347 Stroker kit, 7qt. Canton Oil Pan, and all the other goodies H/C/I ect. This motor has been running since May, has a Tweecer and runs pretty good. Just a couple of weeks ago my buddy was driving the car and the oil pressure suddenly dropped to near zero while driving down the road, and a ticking sound was heard. Immediatly my buddy pulled over, checked the oil level, it was good. Then he started it back up, and the oil pressure was fine the rest of the way home. This was with the stock gauge, so I thought I should go ahead and get the Autometer gauges I've been needing.

After the new gauge was installed, I first started up the car and the oil pressure was fine...then I took it for a drive and it went to near zero again just down the street. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I thought maybe the fact that I had a stock size oil pickup tube on the 7qt pan, but then it would've done that to start with, right? I just need an idea of where to start, I hope it's not a crack in the block! I do not run any boost or nitrous, BTW.

Thanks!
 
May as well swap the pump and get a look at the bearings while you're in there. Regardless of what it "might" be. It seems pretty clear that problems lay up under the oil pan.
 
Car RamRod said:
you need a new pickup for the bigger pain, no doubt about it.

It only knocks when the oil pressure gets low, but most of the time the oil pressure is fine. Does that happen when block cracks? I would think it would alway be low then.

Also, is it okay to take off the main caps with the engine still in the car? I plan on dropping the K-member to take the oil pan off, BTW. Thanks!

Danny
 
probably be easier to pull the engine if youve got access to a cherry picker and engien stand

if not then go on as planned

ive no idea about aftermarket gauges... im assuming they dont use the oem pressure sender?
 
Euphoric306 said:
probably be easier to pull the engine if youve got access to a cherry picker and engien stand

if not then go on as planned

ive no idea about aftermarket gauges... im assuming they dont use the oem pressure sender?

Well I do have access to those things, but I really do not want to pull this out again, especailly the Tremec TKO transmission!

No, my Autometer gauge is mechanical, so it has a direct line to the motor, so I know it is reading correctly.