I have to change my oil pump as the pressure is dropping while the car is sitting at a light with no increased rpms. This only happens after several miles. I'm guessing when the oil gets thinner is when the problem arises. Its going from around 40 psi to almost nothing while sitting at a long light. When it gets way down I can hear a faint valve terrain tick; if I give it some gas the pressure increases enough to make the tick stop. I'm wondering if anyone knows any tricks to changing this thing ie the exhaust has never been undone before so i'm affraid I will have flange bolts breaking off on me :-( Also is it a neccesity to lift the motor like the chiltons manual says or is there away around this? thanks I'm in the ft worth area.

 

Chiltons is probably correct. While you have it lifted and the pan off I suggest that you check the rod and main bearings. What is the mileage on the engine? My 350 has 160k and the pressure drops low on a hot day and is not great on anyday. Wear and tear from the miles is the issue. If you have a high milage engine then best to go all the way and "fix" the problem and others to come.........if you plan to keep the car. I find the barrier on mine to be making a decision on how to build it not if I should.

 

You don't want to know how many miles are on this bad boy lets just say I hold the record of original non tampered with miles. As to funds to rebuild who rebuilds a 2.8 anyway? As to having the funds to rebuild or to swap that isn't a question. :-( I can only do what has to be done.

The only thing wrong with her is of course the ac doesn't work thanks to autozones ****ty compressors, and the seals are worn as there is some smoke on start up, but she still passes the emissions and doesn't burn,leak, or use any oil.

If it sits for a while and lets the oil get thick again ie a few hours I can bust her off and romp on it with no noise abnormal coming from under the hood. Its just when the pressure drops I start to hear some of the valve terrain noise. That is what tells me all is not lost. Now if the pressure drops while at higher rpms while I take it to where I can hoist the motor then I have a problem.

 

There are others here with knowledge much greater than mine but my money is on the bearings and a pump while there is I think another 50.

 

I would guess that the pump is fine.

You know what that leaves.

 

what would that leave considering that it doesn't smoke or use any oil and sounds great until its gone about 30 miles and its sitting still for more then 5 minutes as that is when the pressure starts to fluctuate then drop and when it gets to the red is when there is a little valve terrain noise until I give her some gas to bring the r's back up


On a side note I'm noticing peeps stating to load the car down with weight if the shocks and springs are new what exactly can happen besides a little body lift?
The springs in mine are original and I can tell they need to be replaced as the car is no where near the stifness it used to be and the struts are at least 4 years old maybe 5 So I'm thinking I will be ok without the weight problem. Also seeing some people talking about unhooking the transmission bell housing and torque arm. while others say its ok to leave it hooked up.

Also what about radiator hoses and trans lines do these need to be unhooked?