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beastmaster · 10-04-2009, 07:36 PM

My oil pressure was over 100 + pegged and broke one oil pressure gauge, blew out o-ring on an Fram filter and started a fire. Engine was flooded and had fuel mix at start. But my question is after removing engine to remove 80# pressure pump found a crack in housing, could a crack in housing cause excessive pressure. Also removed check ball/spring looks ok. I know that tight bearing clearances could also, but that much pressure? Here's some pics of the pump housing. ( tuff to photo)

johnta1 · 08:13 PM

Throw the Frams away.

What was the oil guage max?

I used Fram and kept blowing the ends off or the o-rings and went to the AC filter(or Wix) and never had a problem again.

I'd say the crack in the pump is from the installation of the pickup screen.

gtoroadracer · 10-04-2009, 08:32 PM

It is most likely due to the tight bearing clearances. It happened to me, brand new motor with 80 psi pump and it was way over 100 psi. You can fool around with a 60 psi pump but I found a different solution. I went with a peterson external oil pressure regulator. You lock the check ball in the oil pump so it does not move and then you can adjust the pressure to any setting really quick. You will have to run a return line to the oil pan. It works really good.

beastmaster · 10-04-2009, 08:33 PM

I agree with the pick-up tube, but gauge psi max was 100#'s the needle pegged at around 150 if it had numbers went around that far. So i changed gauges and did the same thing. Motor has only 20 miles aprox, built last year its a street motor. Now with a crack in the housing and saying the pick tube was'nt totally sealed i should have less oil pressure than 80 psi?

beastmaster · 10-04-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtoroadracer

It is most likely due to the tight bearing clearances. It happened to me, brand new motor with 80 psi pump and it was way over 100 psi. You can fool around with a 60 psi pump but I found a different solution. I went with a peterson external oil pressure regulator. You lock the check ball in the oil pump so it does not move and then you can adjust the pressure to any setting really quick. You will have to run a return line to the oil pan. It works really good.

Well it's suppose to stay a street machine but you know how that goes. I am preparing a 60# pump but curious on the external set-up (regulator) any info or pics? thanks.

beastmaster · 10-04-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnta1

Throw the Frams away.

What was the oil guage max?

I used Fram and kept blowing the ends off or the o-rings and went to the AC filter(or Wix) and never had a problem again.

I'd say the crack in the pump is from the installation of the pickup screen.

Hey John could you help me with some part#'s for those filter's 4 weeks ago got the wrong Wix and fired up my 505 and lost 9qts of Royal Purple on the floor.

thanks.

johnta1 · 10-04-2009, 09:40 PM

Wix - 51258 normal Pontiac size
Wix - 51045 is the smaller diameter one, I think.

WIX 51515R is the Fram HP1 replacement.

Probird · 10-04-2009, 09:47 PM

Mine will go way over 100 lbs too, especially when it's cold. The first 100 lb. guage broke the needle off and I went with a 200 lb guage. Ditto to what John said on the Fram filter. I blew one of those apart also. I switched to the HP series Fram filter and never had that problem again. Now I run the Wix racing series filters. I've never had a problem with them.

60man · 10-04-2009, 10:36 PM

Where is oil pressure line hooked to..?? mine is at block by distributor.
My motor is a Gaydosh build with 80 PSI pump..
I destroyed a 100 psi gauge.. I went with a 150 # gauge and it's fine..
Carries 25-30# at hot idle !!with 5w-20 AMS..
I have a remote filter with a 1515 NAPA...NO PROBLEMS..
Sorry ..but I don't care for Frams either..

beastmaster · 10-05-2009, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnta1

Wix - 51258 normal Pontiac size
Wix - 51045 is the smaller diameter one, I think.

WIX 51515R is the Fram HP1 replacement.

thanks John! I use a HP-5 on the race motor (505 ci) have a stock style adapter modified want to use a race Wix with stock adapter.

Troy oil gauge connected at distribrutor , Troy iam talking about a street built motor with 80# pump put in just in case i change this build to race later. (463 ci) 10:1cr I built year ago but have put all my time and funds into the 505ci. Just getting back to making it street legal.

lust4speed · 10-05-2009, 01:23 AM

If the pressure relief in the oil pump was working at 100% efficiency, you could totally block off the outlet and only have the stated pressure. In the real world the ability of the pressure relief channel is very restrictive and much higher pressures show up. The installation of the smaller ball in the pump allows more area around the ball for the oil to escape and helps. I had a problem with the 80lb. pump spring hitting coil bind at only about 1/4" travel which really restricted things. The relief pressure is also determined by how tight the spring cap is tightened - get a little carried away with the wrench and pressure goes way up.

Cameano · 10-05-2009, 02:15 AM

I've got the 80lb Melling 10541 pump, the race one. I swapped in a 9/16" check ball, took about a coil and a half off the spring, and don't have problems with the pressure anymore. It'll hit about 90psi when the oil is cold and you drive, but warm it's right around 80psi. It used to hit 115psi or so while the oil was cold before the mods.

455firebird1969 · 10-05-2009, 05:46 AM

What weight oil are you using?

Changing viscosity will effect oil pressure...

Jeff V · 10-05-2009, 05:57 AM

Why so much oil pressure?80 to 100lbs sounds a bit high to me but I run around 65lbs max.Napa gold or Wix Racing filter.10w40 Pennzoil with 1 bottle of STP.

beastmaster · 10-05-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 455firebird1969

What weight oil are you using?

Changing viscosity will effect oil pressure...

10-40 / It's set for a daily driver so don't want to go any thinner.

ed boersma · 01-28-2010, 01:47 AM

Had real high oil pressure when we dyno'd my 400 a few weeks ago - 90 psi @ 4000; 120 psi @ 6300 after 10 pulls. Oil pump is a Melling M54D that has a Milidon square screen epoxy'd and bolted to the pump housing. Looks like it is designed for (and does work well with) a dropped pan. New pump assembly, swap meet purchase without packaging.

Took the pump apart - it has the green spring AND 0.187" of 'shim' inside the cover!

I have another M54D pump (also new) that has the yellow spring and no shims.

What setup should I use to get about 60-70 psi @ 6500?

Thanks!

beastmaster · 01-28-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed boersma

Had real high oil pressure when we dyno'd my 400 a few weeks ago - 90 psi @ 4000; 120 psi @ 6300 after 10 pulls. Oil pump is a Melling M54D that has a Milidon square screen epoxy'd and bolted to the pump housing. Looks like it is designed for (and does work well with) a dropped pan. New pump assembly, swap meet purchase without packaging.

Took the pump apart - it has the green spring AND 0.187" of 'shim' inside the cover!

I have another M54D pump (also new) that has the yellow spring and no shims.

What setup should I use to get about 60-70 psi @ 6500?

Thanks!

Hello Ed, not sure on the colors code, and what your have, but here's a pic of the springs left is 80# setup and right is 60# setup. The shim of course gives you more pressure. My engine is tight so i went to a 60# pump , haven't finished assembly, set it aside until the weather breaks. Hope this helps .

D. Miles · 01-28-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff V

Why so much oil pressure?80 to 100lbs sounds a bit high to me but I run around 65lbs max.Napa gold or Wix Racing filter.10w40 Pennzoil with 1 bottle of STP.

I second this! Isn't the rule of thumb 10 psi per 1000 rpm, you guys have enough oil pressure for well over 10,000 rpm!!! Ever try holding on to a 1/2" drill while priming an engine? emagine how much stress is on the timing chain, how much twist is being put on the cam, wear on the distributor/cam gears not to mention how much HP you're giving up making that much oil pressure. As for the Fram filter deal, I don't use them things on anything, not even customer cars that come into my shop for an oil change. I've heard horror stories over the years about Fram filters but never had an issue untill last year when I built an engine for my Dads car and on the first pass, it locked up untill it cooled off and then it still took a portable jump box hooked up to turn it over, all the bearings, mains and rods were desintagrated. We cut open the filter and saw that the cartridge was collapsed. I personally prefer Purolator L20033 (1/2 quart) and L30005 (1 quart) D. Miles

J.C.you · 01-28-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff V

Why so much oil pressure?80 to 100lbs sounds a bit high to me but I run around 65lbs max.Napa gold or Wix Racing filter.10w40 Pennzoil with 1 bottle of STP.

agree too much oil pressure, wear out the cam gear, dist. gear, could snap the oil pump drive rod.

napa gold, pn: 1049

beastmaster · 01-28-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.C.you

agree too much oil pressure, wear out the cam gear, dist. gear, could snap the oil pump drive rod.

napa gold, pn: 1049

I , agree thanks for the PN# . Hopefully the 60# pump brings it down. I can deal with 80-90# motor has low time 10 miles/ driveway startup.

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