I just finished my 350. I have 100 miles on it now. The problem came about today. I was driving along at about 65 when I noticed I didn't have any oil pressure. I pulled over to check it out. There was no change in temp, the oil was going over the rocker arms that I could see under the fill cap, and I still had plenty of oil in the pan. When I built the motor, I used a High Volume oil pump. I know I don't need it, now, but at the time I thought it was a good idea. I was getting about 50-60psi at idle. The sending unit was for the stock 305. Any suggestions?

 

stock gauge?

 

don't trust a stock gauge, hook up a mechanical gauge to check it.

 

Yeah, it is a stock gauge. It was reading fine, then nothing.

 

pick up might of fell off but if you got oil to the rocker that didn't happen. i'd check it with a mechanical gauge

 

I'll see if I can get my hands on a mechanical one. Thanks,
FBird

 

I found a couple burnt wires resting on my headers! I'm really a header newby. So far, I have those burnt wires, a burnt battery cable, burnt spark plug wires, and too many burnt places on my hands and arms. Trust me, if you are going to install these things, re-route anything close to them, or get them coated. Thanks again for the help guys,
FBird

 

wrapping the headers really helps alot, I did it to my car 2 years ago and will do to every car I own with headers not coated in the future. It's well worth the money and time to take them off and wrap them.

 

could you high volume pump be sucking the pan dry?



given enough time that header wrap will cause you headers to rust because they'll retain moisture.course this will take a few years to do.just FYI

 

So I've heard (about the headers), but I still recommend them.

 

Well, the problem is still there. It is better, but still there. The pump might be draining the pan, but when I first start it, it is just at 30. Then it gradually goes near 0 in the red. It rises when you hit the gas, then goes back to 0. By the way, the burnt wires were for the o2 sensor, and temp bulb, I think. Thanks again,
FBird

 

Are you still getting pressure to the rockers, does this happen when the oil gets warm, and who built the motor?

 

Sounds very weird. I doubt you would be draining the pan at idle ...However, with a stock oil pan and a high volume pump its very possible to do at high RPM's.

The only way to tell is to get a mechanical gauge and hook it up ...Dont start your motor until you do. A dying oil pump is MUCH easier to fix than a blown up motor so its definately not worth the risk.

 

Oil pumps don't just fail like that. Usually they either work or they don't. The only times I've ever seen oil pumps stop working, was when the little plastic sleeve that holds the drive rod on the pump broke, and the rod destroyed the top of the pump gear. Yours doesn't sound anything like that.

I'd bet there's nothing wrong with your oil pressure.

Try changing the gauge sending unit. They go bad all the time.

 

same thing happened to me. it was the gauge sending unit that went bad.

 

Well, when you first start it, it has pressure all the time. Then it gradually goes down to nothing. I built the motor. I can see oil going over the rockers. I bought some new gauges, I still have to hook them up. I did mount them in the car though I'll let you all know what I have when I get it hooked up.
Later
FBird

 

I put a mech gauge on it. The pressure is good. I guess it was just another faulty sending unit! Thanks for the help again.
FBird

 

Here's a pic. I still need to get rid of the factory ones.

 

where did you get the white face overlays?

 

I can't remember exactly. I think I got them on this site. I took all the numbers and letters off of the ones I got and filled them back out the way I wanted too. All with the same font. Then I added the bird, the FORMULA and the WS-6. It took a while, but I think they look cool. When I get rid of the Oil, temp, and volts, I'm going to make the bird bigger. I don't know yet what I'm going to do with the one that has the fuel gauge in it.
FBird