Hello, friends and neighbors. We've dropped a 1980 225 (from a Cordoba) into a 1961 Belvedere, replacing the original ALUMINUM 225. We didn't overhaul the replacement engine, but didn't believe it to have issues. After countless hours of cleaning and conversion work and making the new engine look as much like the original as possible, the beauty is in the Plymouth. However, trying two different oil pumps we can't get any pressure, certainly not enough to extinguish the oil light. My fear is that the main bearings are bad, but we are HOPING one of you gurus might know of something else. Pressure release valve is NOT stuck open. I really didn't think a slant six was CAPABLE of being worn out! LOL! Advice and input desperately needed! Thanks!

Welcome Abaord. Did you change the sending unit from the 80's style to the 60's style?
Are you running the engine? How does it sound?
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

We did change the oil pump to a new one for the 1961 engine, and then put the original 1980 pump back. No difference, but the styles, even the one on the aluminum engine, are virtually identical. The engine runs and sounds fine, but we won't leave it running for very long, obviously.

I suggest pulling the valve cover off and start the engine (dont worry it wont throw oil every where) this way you can see if the valve train is getting oil. I still think you have a sender issue.
Frank

_________________
Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

If it runs and sounds fine, it's probably got some oil pressure. How are you determining that there is none? Are you just going by the dashboard "oil" light, or have you actually physically checked for oil pressure?

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

We have the spin off filter off, and while there is some oil being pumped, it is minimal. We were watching for oil at the pump with the filter off, in addition to monitoring the oil light.

Did you prime the pump when you put a new one on? Use vasalene and pack the cavity use a NAPA Gold 1806 filter that has the built in stand pipe.
Frank

_________________
Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

Mm, that does sound ominous. But here again, if the engine runs well and sounds normal, the problem is likely not (yet) catastrophic. First thing I would do is pull the oil pan and check the oil pickup screen and pipe. Clogged screen, cracked or holed tube = oil pump won't be able to suck oil.

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

*sigh* Anyone else??

Did you check the above? Also you NEED to pull the valve cover, you can tell the state of the engine by looking there. If its all sludged up then you know you will have other problems. Also did you change the oil pickup from the old aluminum engine. The new one wont work on the early A.
Frank

_________________
Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

Pull the valve cover if you want to get an idea of how much sludge and build-up lies within. Chances are good you'll end up pulling the oil pan and pickup tube to clean them.

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Joshua

I agree,use a mechanical pressure gauge to test the engine,and find out what the problem is.I met a new and young MOPAR friend with a 75 dart with a S/6 and the oil light was solidly on at idle,and even at highway speeds it would flicker.I told him he needed a new oil pump,and he said it had been that way for several months,and didn't think any thing was wrong because the engine would have locked up if the oil pressure was realy THAT low.I tested the oil sending unit,and it DID turn on at 10 PSI,so he had been driving it like that with less than 10 PSI of oil pressure for quite a while We put a new oil pump in it and (surprize,surprize) no more oil warning light.

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V8?? We don't need no stink'n V8!!

Let's stay focused; he hasn't got an A-body (early or otherwise), and he has an oil pressure problem, not a physical-fitment problem. There's a ton of room under his big Belvedere and -- especially given that he hasn't mentioned a fit issue -- there is no reason to believe the later pan and pickup are incompatible with his car.

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

…? :shrug:

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

Didn't Al Gore invent oil pressure

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