Oil pressure

[rcvivian]

I have a low reading on my oil pressure and when I took off the valve covers, only two of the push rod / rocker arms were prodicing oil. Is this the man bearings or oil pump? Any idaes?

 

[JohnZ]

Assuming your oil level is correct, it's either a bad oil pump (rare) or the pickup has fallen off the pump or the pickup screen is gummed-up; time to drop the pan and check it out. Did it develop suddenly, or gradually over time?

 

[Jack]

I have a low reading on my oil pressure and when I took off the valve covers, only two of the push rod / rocker arms were prodicing oil. Is this the man bearings or oil pump? Any idaes?

Assuming your oil level is correct, it's either a bad oil pump (rare) or the pickup has fallen off the pump or the pickup screen is gummed-up; time to drop the pan and check it out. Did it develop suddenly, or gradually over time?

Good advice. But first pull the offending pushrods and check if they're clogged ... once out, you should be able to see through from end to end. Not uncommon for an older/poorly maintained motor's pr's to get clogged with a gummy to gritty buildup. A new set of OE type pushrods are less than a buck a piece ... good street performance pr's start about $25/set of 16.
JACK:gap

 

[rcvivian]

John and Jack,

Thanks for the words. The push rods were fine. Looks like a clogged oil pump screen. I was over seas for a couple years and the car wasn't driven much.

Ray

 

[LanceB]

I know this is an old thread, but where exactly is the oil pump screen?

 

[Vette79]

I know this is an old thread, but where exactly is the oil pump screen?

You can't miss it. When removing the oil pan you will have to remove the idler arm and drop the linkage a bit. It's also best to rotate the motor by hand to a certain position to get the oil pan off easier so it can clear the crank.