[fbirdinconcord]

We finally got the 455 in my 73 Formula yesterday. It has an interesting oiling problem. It is idling hot at about 20 lbs and jumps immediately to 40-50 lbs when revved. We pulled the valve covers while it was running and the left side is pumping oil like crazy and the right side is hardly oiling at all. What could it be? Any ideas?

Thanks

[toomanybirds]

It sounds like the right rear oil gallery plug was left out. It is easily overlooked, as it is inside the block, under a small soft plug.

You can check by removing the distributor and feeling for the plug, or spin the oil pump and look for the oil leak.

These have been installed with the engine in the car by creative means, but it is difficult to do. Probably best to remove the engine. And before you install the plug, drill a .030" or 1/32" hole in the center of the plug to help oil the distributor gear

[toomanybirds]

An alternative to removing the engine to install the plug is to remove the transmission.

[fbirdinconcord]

Thanks. The plug is missing. Pulling the tranny may be a better alternative. I will look at the options tomorrow.

[T/A Fanatic]

If that is not your problem then check under the camshaft gear. There are two plugs that fit into the block at the front of the engine. Some (most??) machinists will tap the holes for a 3/8 inch allen head female plug. Problem is, sometimes they screw the plugs in too far, and plug the oil feed holes that take the oil from the left galley down to the front main bearing and then back up to the passenger side lifter galley. If your engine uses the staked in plugs, you don't need to check - these are rarely if ever a problem like the screwed in plugs can be.

Alan

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by fbirdinconcord

... The plug is missing. Pulling the tranny may be a better alternative...

One of the members here had success at working through the distributor hole to install the plug. Maybe you could find the thread by searching the archives. I wouldn't have thought it would be possible, but he described in detail how he did it.

[fbirdinconcord]

We spent a few hours today trying to come up with a way to get the plug installed through the distributor hole. We couldn't get it to go. I did search the forums and did not come up with anything on how to do it. Tomorrow morning the trans is coming out.

[CLINT S]

http://transamcountry.com/community/...?topic=2523.15

You can get it in if you get lucky, you are not the first or last that this has happened to.

[fbirdinconcord]

Finally success!!! It only took about 5 minutes to get the plug in with the trans out. We put the trans back in and fired it up and we now have about 40lbs at idle. We will button it up tomorrow. Thanks for your help and advice.

[toomanybirds]

Front plugs in too deep will cause loss of oil flow to the front mainbearing and right side valve train, but will not cause loss of oil pressure. Missing plugs will cause loss of oil pressure.

[briann]

Hey you got it running though! What was the electrical problem?

[70RAlll]

Originally Posted by fbirdinconcord

We finally got the 455 in my 73 Formula yesterday. It has an interesting oiling problem. It is idling hot at about 20 lbs and jumps immediately to 40-50 lbs when revved. We pulled the valve covers while it was running and the left side is pumping oil like crazy and the right side is hardly oiling at all. What could it be? Any ideas?

Thanks

I am not sure I am getting this. Everyone keeps saying how you have lost oil pressure.. With a standard 60 psi pump, 20 at idle and 40-50 sounds right.. The rear plugs are definately something I would look at. SOme call them the "hidden plug" because they are under the smaller of the freeze plugs on the rear of the engine. SO when you take the tranny out, you will not see them immediately. Actually I would take the engine out. If you are not getting oil to one side of the engine,I would want the engine out so I could really look at everything. I would take the front and the rear plug out of the side you are having problems with and run an engine brush through the channel to make sure there are no obstructions.And seeing how the oil pressure pick up is on the lower passengers side, if the pass side isn';t getting oil,but you are showing pressure I would wonder if it might be something else. For these reasons I would take the engine out, really check everything real good. You don't want to mess with an unequall oiling engine, you will ruin it quickly.. just my opinion... you could have some obstructions in the push rod holes,the lifter bore to lifter clearance might be too tight on one side, all kind of things could be doing this..