oil pressure

[woodward bird]

I got the new motor to fire tonight but i have a question. The guage that is in it is very "suspect" it reads all over and has for a year. I have a auto meter oil pressure guage that i'm putting in it tommorow to replace the bad guage. My question is on a brand new motor how long should it take to build up pressure on the guage. I fired it and held it at 1500rpm for about 10-15seconds tonight and the pressure showed 20psi and then went to 6psi and bounced around alittle. I'm pretty sure the old guage is bad(its a digital one) so i'm hoping its just that but dont want to hurt the new motor. Any thoughts on how long it should take to show on the guage?
Thanks!
WOODY
Also i pre oiled with a electric drill but didnt show any pressure(bad guage?)i spun it for 1min...should i pull the dist. and spin it longer with the new guage attached?
[ 08-06-2003: Message edited by: woodward bird ]

[ 08-06-2003: Message edited by: woodward bird ]

[Joe Vandatta]

Woody,
My 66 shows oil pressure immediately on start up. The best way to find out whats going on is to hook up a mechanical gauge where the oil pressure sender is attached.
Joe

[woodward bird]

Yep thats what i'm doing after work tommorow. I liked the look of the digital but i really dont think it was that acurate.I think its just the guage but you know how it is when you first start you're new born baby ;) i'm just worried over nothing hopefully. I'll let ya know tommorrow,thanks joe!

[Joe Vandatta]

Okay, Woody -- keep us posted, take care.
Joe

[woodward bird]

Well joe good news and bad news....remember a few weeks ago i was asking about how high in the pan the pick-up should be becuase i thought mine was a little high. Well i think thats my problem.I changed the gauge and still hardly any pressure,you can hear the pump sucking in the pan when you spin the drill but the oil just barly shows,so i added 1 extra quart of oil and as soon as i spun the drill it showed pressure and bogged the drill down. Soooo this brings up another question..can you pull the pan and change the pick-up with it in the car or do you have to unbolt the motor mounts and raise the engine,also the dream cruise is only a week away(the main reason for all this work :D )would it be OK to drive the car up there and just keep an extra quart in the pan,and then after the cruise tackle the pick-up.
Thanks for your input joe it's appreciated.
STEVE(woody)

[ 08-07-2003: Message edited by: woodward bird ]

[Joe Vandatta]

Woody,
You can drop the pan by raising the engine, drop the pan down, reach in and remove the oil pump bolts, let the oil pump drop into the pan, position the crank throws so the pan will clear when you move it forward. It's not easy but can be done.
I can't figure out why you are having this problem as the oil pump and pick up are pretty much standard. Unless you have a different pan from the standard 390 your set up should work.
Good luck,
Joe

[woodward bird]

I dont know joe...it seems like i always run into these wierd problems. I just ordered a new pick-up so i guess i'll be burnin the midnight oil ;) to swap out pick-up's before the dream cruise. It has good pressure with the extra quart so i just ran it for about a half hour to get it tuned. It sounds real good with the 268cam/flowmasters on it,hopefully the end of this project is in sight.

[Joe Vandatta]

Woody, I would make sure you have the right pan. Also, when you install the oil pump be sure the drive shaft is seated correctly when bolting it up.
Joe

[woodward bird]

Well joe i know what the problem is. The new pickup came in today and i can tell just by looking at it that it is at least a full 1" to 1.5" lower that the one i have on the motor right now. I really dont know how the old one "got bent upward?" :confused: ...the good news is now i know the problem the bad new is now i have to change it. I am also takin you're advice on the pan. I dont know 100% if it is the original pan but i know i cant put alot of presure on the drain plug to tighten it becuase the treads seem very worn so i figure i might as well just get a new pan and not have to worry about ethier problem.
Thanks for the help joe!
WOODY :)

[Joe Vandatta]

Woody,
I'm sure if you do as you say you will fix the problem if bearing clearances etc. are okay.
When you remove the pan make sure the counter weights are out of the way so you can move it out, you don't have much clearance.
Good luck,
Joe

[Joe Vandatta]

Woody,
How did the new set up work? Okay I hope.
Joe