383 engine for 69 Charger, no oil pressure

[journeycharger69]

We started up a brand new rebuilt 383 engine, showed 20 lbs oil pressure, then after engine warmed up it went down to 0 lbs.  Changed the oil pump to high volume and does the same thing.  When we removed the distributor and the gear drive into the oil pump we put inserted a priming rod and spun it with a drill and getting 40 to 50 lbs oil pressure.  We have inspected the gear drive and all is well.  What could the problem be?  Any ideas?  

[John_Kunkel]

There's probably an oil gallery plug missing inside the block, the one by the front cam bearing often gets missed because it's hard to see.

The pressure reads higher with the priming rod because the crank/rods/cam aren't spinning.

[journeycharger69]

Thank you!!!!

[Chryco Psycho]

I hope you are not using a fram filter anything is better

[Plumcrazy]

I also hope you are using a reliable oil pressure test gauge and not the gauge in the car.

[journeycharger69]

OK, that didn't work with the missing plug theory!  We pulled the front end of the motor and found that the PLUG IS THERE!  We are using a Wix filter.  Any other suggestions?

[journeycharger69]

Yes, we are using a reliable mechanical oil pressure gauge and not the guage in the instrument cluster in the car.

[Challenger340]

20 cold, and 0 warm running,
then,
with a HV Pump and a Drill you get 50 psi ?

You have an excessive clearance issue somewhere internal of the Engine. You should see higher than 50psi with a High Volume on the Drill, in fact, should darn near stall the Drill around 70psi.
Who rebuilt it ?
What were the brg clearances ?

[justcruisin]

Challenger340 is bang on the money, when I spun my fresh 440 up on a priming rod and drill to check oiling, HV pump, 70 psi on a slow drill speed, less than 100 rpm.
Cam hasn't been grooved for permanent oiling to the heads without fitting restrictors?

[journeycharger69]

Thanks for the responses!  The engine was rebuilt locally by a machine shop.  I was hoping it was something simple.  Now we know we have to pull it so we are going to pull the engine today and get it up on a stand and look at it.  I will keep you posted. 

[ACUDANUT]

I hope you are not using a fram filter anything is better

Fram has made drastic changes to make it a better filter, but that's not your issue here.

[John_Kunkel]

Check the oiling groove in the lifters, some style of lifters have a wide oiling groove that will be exposed at maximum lifter lift...this happens when using original small block lifters in a big block.

Big block, small block and AMC all use the same diameter lifter but the oiling groove is located differently.

[BSB67]

OK, that didn't work with the missing plug theory!  We pulled the front end of the motor and found that the PLUG IS THERE!  We are using a Wix filter.  Any other suggestions?

You mean that BOTH plugs are there, right?

[Chryco Psycho]

the wide lifter groove is the second bet , if they drop too low on the bores the oil just pours out

[journeycharger69]

Both plugs are there.  The machine shop guy is going to look at it with us tomorrow.  Will let ya know when we find something.

[ACUDANUT]

 Yea, keep us posted...Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion from a good machine/engine shop.

[journeycharger69]

Got the news today.   Crank was turned .010 when it was in the shop and standard size bearings were placed.  Business has apologized and is getting the correct size and compensating for the labor. 
Thanks to all for helping!!!

[Challenger340]

Got the news today.   Crank was turned .010 when it was in the shop and standard size bearings were placed.  Business has apologized and is getting the correct size and compensating for the labor. 
Thanks to all for helping!!!

Thats great news that you found the problem, even better they are stepping up !
I kinda figured something was a little loose down there ?

20 cold, and 0 warm running,
then,
with a HV Pump and a Drill you get 50 psi ?

You have an excessive clearance issue somewhere internal of the Engine. You should see higher than 50psi with a High Volume on the Drill, in fact, should darn near stall the Drill around 70psi.
Who rebuilt it ?
What were the brg clearances ?

[ACUDANUT]

 

[tatrick2me]

Got the news today.   Crank was turned .010 when it was in the shop and standard size bearings were placed.  Business has apologized and is getting the correct size and compensating for the labor. 
Thanks to all for helping!!!

Your shop is the kind I like trading with. Everyone makes a mistake no matter who they are. Its how the people correct the problem that realy counts.

[mopar2]

Got the news today.   Crank was turned .010 when it was in the shop and standard size bearings were placed.  Business has apologized and is getting the correct size and compensating for the labor. 
Thanks to all for helping!!!

Glad to hear the shop is fixing their mastake