[JoshF]

We fired my new motor for my car today. When I primed it with the drill it had about 50 psi of oil pressure. When the motor first fired it had oil pressure then when I went to get the hose to top off the radiator it dropped to zero. I killed the motor right away and then pulled the distributor to check it with the drill again and it went to 50 psi right away. I put the distributor in again and fired it up and again no oil pressure.

The engine is just a basic 350 .040 over with camel hump heads and the 350 horse 327 corvette cam. All of the bearings and rings are new with the exception of the cam bearings.

Any ideas what could cause this?

Thank you,

Josh

[C-10]

If it runs then that eliminates the distributor GEAR...

Has to be the end of the distributor shaft twisted off... after all that's what actually drives the oil pump. Look up inside the very end of the distributor gear.

[T-bucket23]

Have you checked the wiring to your sender. Most things internal that could cause a complete loss of presure would not correct themselves, like the pickup falling off or a broken pump drive. The sender is right near the distributor on most applications, double check it. You didnt use tape on teh threads did you. It needs a good electrical contact with the block. The threads ona sender are designed not to require teflon tape or any other sealer for that matter.

Chet

[JoshF]

I figured it out and it was a blatant screw up on my part. The rod that goes between the distributor and the oil pump pulled out with the primer so the pump was not turning. I am going to fire it up tomorrow and hope for the best. I guess the one thing I did right was building my first motor as cheap as possible. Worst case I am only out $400.

[DENCOUCH]

I thought that the rod was pinned to the oil pump shaft & would not just come out. The block I am going through has a collar around both & is pinned together.

[carsavvycook]

Originally Posted by JoshF

I figured it out and it was a blatant screw up on my part. The rod that goes between the distributor and the oil pump pulled out with the primer so the pump was not turning. I am going to fire it up tomorrow and hope for the best. I guess the one thing I did right was building my first motor as cheap as possible. Worst case I am only out $400.

This is what that white plastic sleeve that comes in the gasket set is supposed to cure.

[JoshF]

Originally Posted by carsavvycook

This is what that white plastic sleeve that comes in the gasket set is supposed to cure.

I do not see that one, I did not realize they had gasket sets so I bought them individually.