OIL PICKUP TUBE CLEARANCE PROBLEM

CONCRETEWARFARE · Jan 30, 2008

I am having some oil pressure problems on a motor I just put in my car. It was a used bottom end but the oil pressure was great and the only thing I did was add a windage tray to it. I am guessing that maybe when I installed the oilpickup tube back on it that I messed up some clearances or something.

when I first start up the motor the oil pressure is really high. Once the car warms up the pressure on the guage drops alot and then you can hear the valves start to chatter. If you rev the motor the oil pressure rises and then falls back to where it was. What could the problem be?

PJC Racing · Jan 30, 2008

What pressure on the gauge?
+Don't rely on the factory pressure gauge for accurate readings.

SQUEEZE&STROKE · Jan 30, 2008

Thats not a problem. Oil is thicker when it is cold, when the engine warms up it is thinner, therefore less pressure.

The pressure going up when you rev it is because he oil pump is spinning faster.

CONCRETEWARFARE · Jan 30, 2008

well my main concernn was that i never had that kind of problem on any other stang ive had and when it drops you can hear the rockers. I am going to have to hook up a mechanincal guage to be positive but I just have a gut feeling there is a clearance issue.

Rick 91GT · Jan 30, 2008

Sounds like worn bearings personally....... since it is a used bottom end. As far as pick-up clearance you want to make sure it is around .375"-.400" off the bottom of the pan.

5spd GT · Jan 30, 2008

Rick 91GT said:
Sounds like worn bearings personally....... since it is a used bottom end. As far as pick-up clearance you want to make sure it is around .375"-.400" off the bottom of the pan.

That is good to know. A buddy and I are putting together an old 351M and I was curious if this is what we should shoot for on the 351M?

I was originally going with 1/2".

Rick 91GT · Jan 31, 2008

5spd GT said:
That is good to know. A buddy and I are putting together an old 351M and I was curious if this is what we should shoot for on the 351M?

I was originally going with 1/2".

1/2" will be fine....just make sure the pickup is parallel to the pan

I havent forgot you on those runner lengths

5spd GT · Jan 31, 2008

Rick 91GT said:
1/2" will be fine....just make sure the pickup is parallel to the pan

I havent forgot you on those runner lengths

Thanks

CONCRETEWARFARE · Jan 31, 2008

would the windage tray make it act like this at all?

CONCRETEWARFARE · Jan 31, 2008

I changed the oil today and filter. I use 10w-30 and a k&n filter. I also hooked up a mechanical guage. Cold start was 58psi. After idleing in the driveway for about 15-20 min it went down to about 30psi. When I rev the engine the guage fluctuates. Does all this seem ok or should I look into the fact that I may not have put the pickup in properly?

PJC Racing · Jan 31, 2008

CONCRETEWARFARE said:
I changed the oil today and filter. I use 10w-30 and a k&n filter. I also hooked up a mechanical guage. Cold start was 58psi. After idleing in the driveway for about 15-20 min it went down to about 30psi. When I rev the engine the guage fluctuates. Does all this seem ok or should I look into the fact that I may not have put the pickup in properly?

You are good on the pressure.
As for that K&N oil filer, it's not worth in the money. Internally there is nothing special about it. One of the best fiters out there is the original Motorcraft 1A filters, and they don't cost half as much as that K&N.

CONCRETEWARFARE · Jan 31, 2008

So basically I do not have to worry about the guage reading low inside the car? These #s are fine?

CONCRETEWARFARE · Feb 3, 2008

Would I see an increase in hot idle psi if I install a high volume oil pump?

PJC Racing · Feb 3, 2008

More times than not you don't want to run a H/V pump. In most cases they are not needed. If the number were taken off a reliable gauge and not the factory gauge you are good. The #'s are normal.

dtlionsfan · Feb 3, 2008

Pressure is perfect and .250 from pan to pick up is OK.I'd be concerned about the lifter clatter at idle hot,is the gauge at 30 when the lifters are noisey?

CONCRETEWARFARE · Feb 3, 2008

I double checked last night and it was 28 psi when I got home from work on the mechianical guage. I am going to pull the motor just to double check the clearance for my own piece of mind since I just stupidly bolted the tube on and put the pan on. Yes the lifter noise is at 30 psi and they are brand new. I can tell when the pressure drops just by ear. When the motor is cold everything is relatively quiet with the rockers/lifters. As soon as it gets warm they get real loud. I was hoping the extra oil to the top of the motor from the HV oilpump would aid in quieting them down.

PJC Racing · Feb 4, 2008

Can you post your installed parts, bearing clearances, and how you set up your valve train?

Rick 91GT · Feb 4, 2008

PJC Racing said:
Can you post your installed parts, bearing clearances, and how you set up you valve train?

Check the main and rod bearing clearance, pan to pick-up clearance and the rod SIDE clearance.

iapexl8r · Feb 4, 2008

This may sound weird to most people .. but did you use rtv on the mating surface of the oil pump to the block??? also could you have used an excessive amount of rtv on the oil pan mating surface. I ask this because I have seen problems from this many times. just somthing to consider Chris

CONCRETEWARFARE · Feb 4, 2008

iapexl8r It is funny that you asked me that cause I was just thinking today and I did use rtv between the oil pump and the block. I didnt think it was going to be a big deal.

As for my set up:

Stock shortblock w/ windage tray
FTI cam
Thumper E7 converted to stud mount w/ 1.7 rr
tmoss lower

But back to idea about using the rtv do you think that is the problem?

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