Quote:
Originally Posted by YoungPup1977
10 lbs of pressure for every thousand RPM is the rule of thumb, If you pull the the oil pump it may not just be the pump.....once you pull the pan, oil pump, pull off the bottom half of the rod bearings and CHECK the bearings, you may find the bearings have a bit of clearance....just my 2 cents. Have fun on the street and good luck !!
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ill have to do some digging into what replacing the bearings entails - Ive seen pictures of scoring, on bearings, but im an engine newbie
Quote:
Originally Posted by geezer#99
First thing you do is put a good mechanical gauge on it.
If you get the same numbers and you hear no rattling at idle, keep driving it.
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its a bit loud, but i haven't been hearing anything abnormal - a buddy is supposed to let me borrow a mechanical gauge - if he falls through,Im gonna try to buy one just to have
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattfranklin
What viscosity oil are you using? I have used heavier oil (DELO 15W-40 or even tried different brands of 20W-50) to slow down leaks in my older vehicles. You're in So-Cal, so you can probably get away with using heavier if you need it.
If you were in the northern US or Canada, I'd say only do that in the summer.
Next oil change put in the heavier stuff. See if it makes a difference with the oil pressure and leaks and noise.
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currently running 10-30 - I run 15-40 in my Volvo for the zinc, but that is getting driven very little at the moment.
I am thinking about doing an oil-change, and sticking a camera up the drainplug to see if I can see anything worrysome
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dead Parrot
Normal oil for a stock 350 is 10w-30. The only number that is a little bit worrisome is the 5psi at hot idle. But you are probably in a part of the gauge scale that makes that a bit of a guess. If you don't have lifter rattle/clatter at hot idle, don't worry too much.
Changing to a thicker oil to 'fix' low oil pressure just masks a problem, it doesn't fix it.
Valve cover gaskets are the leading suspects for SBC oil leaks.
As for bad smells, a small fuel leak can create a lot of bad engine smell.
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yea, its hard to tell - gauge is graduated in 20 PSI, so its all a rough estimate at this point..
It doesnt' sound any different engine wise hot vs cold, so I guess thats a good thing ?
I have no problem putting different oil in, but as you said, if I am just manipulating the gauge, won't we still have the same problem of not building enough pressure?
Ive got a set of rubber gaskets to go on
Quote:
Originally Posted by GASoline71
If straight 30wt wasn't so hard to find... I'd still be running that. LOL.
Main rule of thumb I've always gone by... If a SBC ain't leaking oil... it's out! 
Gary |
right - thats what Ive always been told, but Id like to get it to the point where I am changing the oil and filter, not just topping off and changing the filter every 3
Thanks All - I will report back shortly...