[uneasyrider]

I have a new engine as you've seen from the posts. The engine builder installed a new oil pressure sending unit and the gauge would peg (fully to the top high pressure side) and stay there at first. Now after diving the car a few times the gauge is flicking around all over the place. Does this sound like a short in the wires or a bad sending unit or something worse. No knocking or anything going on in the engine (so far ) except for one lifter (the first one on the right bank) that he is having a hard time getting to come in. Every time it has been adjusted it's better but he's adjusted about 4 times now and it still hasn't stopped ticking completely. These are not anti-pump up lifters. I trust this guy to fix anything that is wrong but I just don't want it to go too wrong if you know what I mean and I'm sure he doesn't either. I posted this because the oil pump shaft post got me to thinking it might be more than a wiring problem. The stock gauge (1974 TA) goes to 60psi (if I remember right) so if the engine had excessive oil pressure this might peg the gauge and if the shaft is stripping out this might cause the gauge to jump around. I might be over thinking this too. You know, the new engine worries thing where every hick-up has you thinking too much.

Thank you for your input,

[74t/a]

I personally have never trusted an electrical guage. I would install a good mechanical guage, if only temporary, to make sure of the pressure.

This will give you some assurance.

[Mr. P-Body]

Your pesky lifter sounds like it might have a lobe issue. Remove the valve cover and measure the travel of the offending rocker against aonother one, to be sure the valve is opening at the same distance. If not, look at the lifter. You'll find it worn, along with the cam lobe. A bad guide can also cause the never-ending tick.
Install a mechanical guage, as 74T/A says. Buy a good one, not a cheepie-chugger.

[Jack Gifford]

I can appreciate being paranoid about a new engine. But I doubt that the oil pump drive would ever cause a pressure fluctuation. Any shaft problems I've seen (or heard of) were catastrophic. I agree, that a temporary mechanical guage is advisable.

[uneasyrider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by form406:
you should really take a good look at that lifter to make sure its not bad and getting worse... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep, that is the next step. The guy doing my work said that he has had two sets of lifters he has gotten in the past (he's gotten lots of them so I don't know if it's common) that have been filled with some kind of heavy grease/corrosion protection that he has had to force out of the lifters by manually actuating them. He's not trying to make any excusess but it's something we are contemplating as a possable problem.

Thanks for the help. This is a great site!

[uneasyrider]

Thanks guys, I'll put a mechanical gauge and check it and I'm thinking I'll pull the distributor and manually pressurize it.

Mr. P-Body, so you think it's possible that the lobe may have gone flat or a sticky guide?

Thanks,

[uneasyrider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pontiac Jack:
I can appreciate being paranoid about a new engine. But I doubt that the oil pump drive would ever cause a pressure fluctuation. Any shaft problems I've seen (or heard of) were catastrophic. I agree, that a temporary mechanical guage is advisable. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

THANKS! I realize there is no guarantee BUT that makes me feel a LOT better! You know how it is, the mind can start screwing with you on these kind of things.

[form406]

you should really take a good look at that lifter to make sure its not bad and getting worse...