Well, looks like the valve wasn't the problem. Pulled it out, cleaned it up (although, keep in mind it was brand new) and reinstalled it along with the pretty pink spring, pulled the coil wire, and cranked the engine over.

Zero. Zilch. Not even a quiver from the pointer.

So, at this point, I pull the oil pump (oh, joy), and pray it's the gear on the pump? Is there any chance it's the gear on the cam, or does that drive the distributor?

I DON'T look forward to pulling the oil pump with the engine in the car...

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vm

A pink spring?? Funny......I just looked at mine(Melling) and it's purple!! It almost feels "weaker" than my old spring...!
Is it normal to have different colors???
BBBanjo

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225 Cubic Inches of Iron-Head American Muscle

225 bored .040 /.100 off block, Schneider Cam 224@.050~ .480 lift - Stock valves, blended bowls, Offenhauser intake with 500 Edelbrock carb

Different spring tensions are indicated by different paint colours, but there's no consistency any more, so you can't say the purple spring is stiffer than the red or green or whatever.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

So, I guess there's no way of knowing how much damage could've been caused by the lack of oil pressure short of pulling and disassembling the engine, right?

Any particular brand of pump I should look for (or avoid)? The one that failed was a Melling.

It'll be just my luck to replace the oil pump, only to spin another bearing or throw a rod a week later.

Thanks, guys.

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vm

You can drop the pan and pull a couple of rod and main caps for inspection. you could even replace all the bearings from below as long as the crank journals are undamaged. Also pull the distributor to make it easier to inspect the cam gear for chipped and broken teeth.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

DD,

Why is the cut off wheel in the picture? What is the purpose of cutting the slots in the piston. Where do you put the washer/shims to increase the pressure?

Thanks,

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

I don't know why the cutoff wheel's present in that photo, but the slots are there in the valve shuttle from the factory. The ¼" nut, stack of washers, or other shims to increase the regulated oil pressure go between the spring and the screw-on cap.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

The cut-off wheel is used to open-up and deburr the slots in the valve.
DD