lost oil pressure
 

Two week ago I lost oil pressure but my safety switch shut off the ignition when it dropped to 20 psi. I believe the switch being tied to the ignition may have saved the engine from blowing apart.

Holt chit mang. Were you racing?

Wow! And it didn't scatter all over the place???
How did you have it tied into your ignition? thats a great idea by the way.

I have a Relay tied to the low oil pressure switch that cuts the power to the ignition box when the light turns on. I had to install a push button by-pass for starting the engine which is a pain but worth it. Well I can't say it is all in one piece but it did not explode the bearings even look good.

NO67GTO
Yes I was racing at national trails for the Hootout race. The car was off all weekend and Sunday during the time run it just shut off.

Hobbs switch

That's a very good trick.....saved your azz from sweeping up the floor

.........or finding the guardrail.

I agree I even got to drive it back to the trailer and load it with out the winch!

Once home I used the primer tool and the gauge showed 100psi? I cut the filter open and no metal? Changed the oil and fired it back up showed 100 psi at as it warmed up the pressure dropped quickly so I pulled it out.

block and crank checked out
 

Brought the block and Crank in so they could be checked for Cracks everything has checked out good. Lucky Lucky Lucky! Now I just need to build it back stronger and hopefully faster! Actually would settle for more reliable! Only 86 runs on it this year but I did get my first win so not all bad right!

Vince

400 OR 455 block?

400 block

How long has the motor been together? I just built a 461(400 block) earlier this year and stayed with the factory 2 bolt main caps. Was debating on going with billet or milodon caps and after seeing this I wish I would have.

This is the second year for this motor. I would not worry too much I believe this had more to do with a violent drive shaft break midsummer. The drive shaft let go at the top end of a quarter mile run at 128 miles an hour. The shock probably started my issues!

How much power are you making this setup dyno'ed at 720hp?

Vince

I 'm guessing around 600 hp. My 68 GTO has run a best 10.98 @ 122 mph at a 3785 RW. Converter wasn't ideal for my combo so I'm getting a custom one from FTI. The guy there told me if it didn't make me go faster then send it back and he would refund my money.
A friend of mine, Dave Hoover, was talking about your car when he went to Kil-Kare earlier this year. I think that was the day you won. He has a light blue 64 Tempest.

Wow sounds like you have got that car flying. I have not heard of FTI where are they from or did you mean ATI? I am looking for a new converter for next year not sure who to use currently using an ATI. I really like Dave's car and he is a very nice guy. It was nice seeing him at Kil-Kare have you ever raced at Kil-Kare?

Go to their website(www.fticonverters.com) and fill out a build sheet and they will call you with a recommendation. They are in Florida. From the research I did no one had anything bad to say about them. They were highly recommended. I've been to Kil-Kare but haven't raced there yet.

Oil watchdog (oil monitor system)
 

Hello all.
After many years I have finally built a oil monitor system to shut the engine down if the engine shows low oil pressure. Once installed the monitor will give you 30 seconds to start and build oil pressure after that it will shut off the ignition power shutting off the engine. I run a 20psi sensor there are a variety of different sensors to choose from. Once the system shuts off the engine you have to cycle power to restart the engine. I have used this device for 20 years and it has saved a couple of my engines from major damage. I am still running the rods pistons and block from the engine I started this post with. My other engine also had an issue where the oil pump ate a piece of metal and stalled the oil pump breaking the oil pump drive shaft at 6000rpm crossing the finish line. The engine just shut off once inspected all the bearing looked great and I actually found the piece of metal in the pump. The repair was a new pump and oil drive shaft and I was able to race the next weekend and for two additional years.

The monitor is simple to install with any car with an ignition box. The system has four wires ignition in, ignition out, sensor wire and a ground. With the addition of a relay an HEI or stock points setup can be used. What do you guys think is this a worthwhile investment? It has saved me a ton of parts and time,

Yes, smart.

No idea on a sell price if that is your question, but there is a value for sure.

Yes, smart.

No idea on a sell price if that is your question, but there is a value for sure.

I have 20 of them built up and I am asking $150 for the monitor and can supply the 20psi ($20) sensor or if you have the Moroso oil pressure light you can use that sensor.

Sorry to see this Vince, I am hoping your clever thinking helped prevent major damage.

No issues at all these were all old failures current engine is working great. Protected by the watchdog! LOL!

Its a great system , and sure saved you a couple bundles of cash.

My first car 75 Vega GT would knock off the in-tank fuel pump when there was an oil pressure drop , factory feature.
Usually when it was 2 QTS low.
I drove it from 60k to well over 200k , wouldn't have made it without that oil pressure sensor/switch.

Your ignition kill is ideal

I have run a Vega pressure switch connected to a 30 amp relay going to my fuel pump for years. Even ran a Holley blue through the switch with no relay for a time. Its really simple, won't shut off the engine as soon as a switch to the MSD . Whatever time it takes to run out the fuel in your bowls I guess.
As soon as the engine fires and has oil pressure the pump comes on.
I mostly did it for safely reasons.
its nice to see you back at it. This stuff can take awhile.

Curious what would cause the caps to break like that? Just the shock of driveshaft breaking? Or something else?

Dragncar, the reason I made this is so it would shut the engine down as soon as low oil pressure was seen to prevent damage. It has worked perfectly for me and with the start-up delay it allows the engine to start with no oil pressure for 30 seconds then it will shut off the engine if oil pressure has not reached the sensor value.

sdbob, Not sure what happened first but I do know it was going to be a mess on the track if my monitor system did not shut the engine down!