I finally got the oil drained. There must have been a good inch or more of degreaser in the bottom of the pan judging from the thin stuff that drained out first. I put new oil and a new filter on, but still no oil pressure. So, I guess I'll replace the oil pump. I know it's on the passenger side - below the oil filter? Do I have to drain the fresh oil to change it? I believe I have to raise the engine to get it completely out of the block, right?

Thanks, folks.

dave

Did you run degreaser through it?

If not, did the drained oil smell like gasoline? If the fuel pump diaphram ruptured, fuel can dump right into the crankcase, and would thin the oil. if it was run for any period of time, the bearings may be toast as well. Hopefully this is not the case.

When did you lose oil pressure (under what conditions)? Did the engine start knocking or making any 'abnormal' sounds?

-S/6

Hi, Super6,

No, the engine didn't make any strange sounds. I suspect that there was some oil pressure, but not enough to make the idiot light go out. It did run for a couple minutes initially before I realized what was happening. When I first got it running after sitting for over 10 years, the oil pressure came up, but it came up very slowly. I changed the oil and filter, but it still was slow to come up to pressure. No knocking or anything. I think the engine is OK.

It did not smell like gasoline. In fact, I had put a new fuel pump on it before all this. It was just since I had sprayed the degreaser on the valve train and then started it back up that the oil pressure would not come up. Could be just plugged, although there was some of the degreaser in the oil filter. That's why I'm thinking that there was actually some pressure, just not enough.

Wow, what kind of degreaser did you spray inside the motor? ...not a good idea, most of them are water based detergents. The best way I've found to deal with a motor that is sludged up (short of removing it and cleaning everything apart) is remove the pan, buy a siphon gun and wash everything down with mineral spirits/compressed air and a stiff brush. Or just leave the sludge alone until it can be dealt with correctly.

D/W

_________________

If it ain't broke, fix it!

Yeah, I may have messed up. I just used some Walmart spray degreaser. I was trying to clean up the rocker arms and valve springs. Actually did a pretty good job on them. When the foam went away, I guess it all dripped/ran down inside the oil pan.

dave

I'd take the drain plug out, flush it out with some kerosene, install a new filter, add oil and hope for the best. Change the oil a few times frequently for a while if you get pressure and everything is quiet. You may have clogged up the pickup in the pan. That's probably your main problem right now.

D/W

_________________

If it ain't broke, fix it!

Yeah. I figure the screen may have been somewhat plugged before - after sitting for 10+ years and that may be the problem now. I would hate to flush it and then start it up again and not have pressure. I think everything is OK now, but starting it up again without pressure could be bad news. If I replace the oil pump and I don't get pressure, then I'm not sure what to do.

Yeah, either a clogged pickup screen, or a stuck-open pressure relief valve. Or both! You can remove the pressure relief valve and spring and clean them up without removing the pump from the engine; they are behind the (usually square-headed) screw-in plug facing forwards/downwards on the oil pump assembly. And yes, the oil pump is the structure to which the oil filter attaches.

You will probably wind up pulling the pan and cleaning it and the screen thoroughly (the screen/pipe assembly unscrews from the block). But check that pressure valve , 'cause it's the least difficult place to start. And once you get everything squared away you'll definitely want to do a few short-interval "flush" oil changes; that spray-on degreaser doesn't belong inside the engine.

Dan - thanks for the info on the pressure relief valve. You guys must think I'm a real idiot by now. I just turned 58 (Jan. 5th), and I'm still learning. Maybe I should just leave "restoring" these old cars to the young guys. No, I've never had a car with any real "muscle" and this one will probably be it for me.

Thanks everyone. I'll update as I move along.

dave

i had a problem with low oil pressure. i changed the oil it went up. a few days later it was going on worked is way back down. so my once agin changed the oil but this time i cleaned the pressure relief valve and spring and add a small washer on the pressure relief valve bolt and well my oil pressure is up and holding

Thanks, MoparDuster. That gives me some hope. I'm thinking I'll clean out the pressure relief valve this weekend and give it a quick try. Why did you put the washer on the bolt?

dave

He added the washer to increase spring tension on the pressure relief valve and increase oil pressure. It's not necessary.

We all do uh, well, stupid things from time ( ) How do you think we know so much? Observing botched outcomes from our actions is probably the most effective way to learn! Join the club.

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Dan, thanks very much. Appreciate all the help here. Hopefully, she'll be alright. This engine, tranny and rear end will come out, hopefully this summer, in favor of a 360 I've had built for about 4 years now. But I'd like to be able to sell it as a good running slant. It doesn't smoke at all - at least not yet - LOL.

dave