I got up this morning and checked my oil. It was close to the add mark and I put some Lucas in it instead of oil. Started the car and back out of the driveway and noticed my oil pressure was low, around 5psi. I reved the motor some and it goes up to about 30 and then sharply peaks to 50(what it usually is at start up) then drops to around 20. I start towards work thinking that the thick Lucas needs to warm up and circulate? Running 55mph, I was at 30psi but when it dropped to idle it was close to zero.

I checked my gauge and all the fittings and then ran my hand down the plastic tube to check for kinks. It broke off near the head. I plugged the oil pressure adapter and drove to napa and replaced the tubing. Still reads around 5psi at idle.

Next, I buy a new gauge and hook it up and it reads zero.

Car usually has 50psi while running and may drop to 25 at idle.

Ideas or suggestions?

Service the filter & oil pump releif valve, then re-check.
DD

Exactly what Doc said. When you started the engine, a big "slug" of (thick) Lucas went through the pump- press briefly goes way high- forcing the relief valve to move further than normal & possibly sticking; or breaking the spring.

Most aftermarket gauges are of very questionable accuracy & shoddy quality. Any that actually work properly tend to cost $$$. (I always thought that mechanical oil press gauges were a great way to pump all the eng oil onto the driver's floor).

_________________
63 Valiant Wagon
225 - 4 bbl

Oil pressure relief stuck

Excuse my ignorance here guys but I'm not at home and don't have my service manual. I am searching for the info I need but where and how is the pressure valve serviced?

Do a search on this site where Doc shows how to service it. You will find it in the Index and in the posts.

Read this under Articles "SL6 Oil Pump Gear Failure and Oil System Information"

_________________
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 appreciate all the help guys. Cleaned things up and pressure seems normal again. About to change the oil and see I I find anything to indicate I hurt something with the low pressure at idle.

Poor idea. Don't use that stuff. At best it's a waste of money; at worst it will damage your engine. See here.

As has been mentioned, it will be a good idea to service the oil pressure relief valve to make sure it's doing its job, as described in these two threads: thread 1, thread 2.

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

I love how he never mixes that crap with the Schaeffers I wouldnt want to taint good oil with it either

I changed the oil in the car Friday and ran all the drained oil through a paint filter. I could not see any foreign material in the oil. I got around to cutting open my filter this evening. I'm going to check again tomorrow but it looks like there is some silver specs in the paper of the filter. I will check it with a magnet tomorrow also.

I did start and idle the car quite a few times when changing gauges to see if the low pressure was due to a faulty gauge. When I pulled the pressure relief valve out, there was a small gouge in the side of it. It was smooth and there were no burrs that I could feel around the gouged area.

The car has sat all weekend and after getting the pressure relief cleaned and put back in and after the oil change on Friday, I did let the car run until it reached operating temp. Everything seemed fine and my pressure was reading as it should.

Should I be concerned about the gouge in the pressure relief? And with what appears to be metal flakes in my filter, what should me next step be?

Well, that is what I call real dedication!

73dart_swinger; sorry, couldn't help it, I am glad to know you got the problems sorted out.

Olaf

_________________
Aspenized

There are definitely silver flecks in the filter. Very tiny. I slid a cheap refrigerator magnet in between the pleats of the filter and the silver comes off with the magnet. I can't tell if the flecks are sticking to the magnet due to adhesion with the oil or if it is actually sticking to the magnet.

Got a better magnet and the flecks of metal stick to the magnet. I took the filter to the guy that built the engine and had him look at it. Said there was metal in there but nothing that was too alarming given the situation. His advice was to just drive it and see what happens.

I just don't want whatever started wearing to have a failure or get into some other parts and cause a failure that could possibly be avoided. Should I drive it and see like he suggests or is there other recommendations?