[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Couldn't even watch the video when I saw the Fairmont/Granada in the shop.(And I have a few Fords)
Get a tool quality gauge for your tool box, and the one in the car will be a reference or re calibrated (new sending unit or wiring repair). MOving your pickup point to the top of the engine may be more telling.

[HWYSTR455]

That's a good one, and the nylon line is fine if you don't kink it or get it too close to exhaust.

I still say it's not possible for debris to swim up stream to the check ball like sperm. That debris was there at assembly. Would bet money on it.

And yes, there's hope! I think you're good to go, check with a mech gauge and watch the filters. Think you will be pleasantly relieved once you hook that gauge up.

.

[AdamIsAdam]

For now I think I should plumb the new gauge, which by the way I now have, in the same pick up location as the electric one for consistency. Everyone agree?

Is the pressure higher at the oil filter location or when measured by the distributor?

[AdamIsAdam]

Here's the K&N filter cut open. This filter was put on when I changed the oil initially in Nov with Amsoil. I drove it about 100 miles and noticed the oil pressure difference pretty much right after I did it. Not exactly sure how long after due to weather being cold and my not driving it much.

Paper was very clean. Maybe some slight metal flakes in the stills once paper dried and I zoomed in A LOT. What do you think:







And some good video footage.



Here's the bottom of the filter. I see some slight metallic flakes in there but not sure what's normal.

[nytrainer]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

For now I think I should plumb the new gauge, which by the way I now have, in the same pick up location as the electric one for consistency. Everyone agree?

Is the pressure higher at the oil filter location or when measured by the distributor?

Adam for this test you are trying prove/disprove the electric sending unit so install the gauge in the same spot. After you get your results, if you permanently mount the gauge, I think the spot behind the distributor is a truer indication of the actual pressure in the oiling system and typically would be less.

[grivera]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

For now I think I should plumb the new gauge, which by the way I now have, in the same pick up location as the electric one for consistency. Everyone agree?

Is the pressure higher at the oil filter location or when measured by the distributor?

The pressure is higher at the oil filter location since it hasn't snaked it's way trhough the system at that point.

[AdamIsAdam]

I have never been happier to say these three little words: I WAS WRONG!

This morning I installed the autometer manual gauge. It seems to be ok. Take a look at the vids and pics:

First startup after install: 70PSI:


Warmed up idling only, so not HOT, and it's about 45PSI. Then I go for a ride:


Driving at 3000 RPM fully warmed up at 205* and I'm at about 42-38 PSI. Before it was 25 or so. In first vid, it was 42 PSI fully warmed up, but after 20 minutes or so that settled in to 38 PSI. see two vids:



At idle fully warmed up I'm about 12-14PSI at 800 RPM. It quickly comes up to 25PSI at 1200 RPM or so:



Thanks everyone for holding my hand through this difficult time!

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Good deal....Now how much is it @ six grand?

[AdamIsAdam]

Originally Posted by STEELCITYFIREBIRD

Good deal....Now how much is it @ six grand?

LOL. Well, funny you should ask. While I did not wind it up to six grand, I noticed that at the top of second or third gear the oil pressure comes down to around 25 or 35 pounds. Why is that? I'm not exactly sure of my numbers, and I'm not exactly sure what gear was when, because, well, I like to try to keep my eye on the road when I'm wide open throttle in this thing!

But i think someone said before that as the RPMs come way up in gear like that, it could be the ball valve opening up. I'm assuming this is okay. Like I said, I'm normally watching the road or the tach, but not the oil pressure gauge at this point.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

How much oil do you have in it?

[nytrainer]

I think it's time for the next step and mount the fittings in the back/top of the block and plug the oil filter adapter or re-install your electric gauge sending unit if you want (though you now know it's accuracy or lack of it ). That will tell the real story as to what is happening in the various rpm ranges (instead of wondering if the bypass is open at the higher rpm causing the possible lower oil pressure readings that you're seeing then).

[AdamIsAdam]

I agree. Where is the port on the back of the engine?

(Oil level is prefectly full.)

[b-man]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

I agree. Where is the port on the back of the engine?

(Oil level is prefectly full.)

Right here, the 5/16" square-drive 3/8-NPT pipe plug next to the distributor.

If it has never been removed it can be really difficult to get loose. Usually some heat and a tight-fitting square-drive removal tool are needed.

Hopefully the engine machinist removed the original plug to properly clean out that oil passage, then later on it was replaced by the engine builder with a new hex-drive plug during engine assembly.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Someone chime in here, run one extra quart?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by STEELCITYFIREBIRD

Someone chime in here, run one extra quart?

I would start with a half quart extra to see how it does. Possibly one quart extra as long as you don't overfill and start aerating/foaming up the oil, that would definitely do more harm than good.

Of interest here and pertaining to this issue is on the earlier Pontiac engines they were either rated at 5 quarts full or 6 quarts, all depending on the length of the dipstick itself. So it may be perfectly acceptable to go up to one quart over as long as you're careful about it.

My take is the GTO 389 engines may have needed the 6 quarts because Pontiac was aware of the owners driving them harder since after all they were advertised as a performance car. The 326 V8 was more of a grocery-getter made for the more economy-minded buyers and 5 quarts at oil change time was already expensive enough and plenty adequate.

Thread discussing 5 and 6-quart 1964 dipsticks:http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=732873

[AdamIsAdam]

I guess I can give it a try. It should be noted that my engine is a 1970 400 originally. Here's the XS code on the front of the engine. I'll double check the date code tomorrow.

[grivera]

Looks like an XY code...

[AdamIsAdam]

You are correct. sorry about the typo.

Bman, interesting thread about oil capacity. Does that hold true for 1970 400 engines too?

How will I know if I'm over filling and foaming? Just by the dipstick?

[b-man]

Originally Posted by AdamIsAdam

You are correct. sorry about the typo.

Bman, interesting thread about oil capacity. Does that hold true for 1970 400 engines too?

How will I know if I'm over filling and foaming? Just by the dipstick?

If the oil pressure becomes noticeably unstable that would tell you the pump is sucking aerated oil I would think.

One question, how much oil are you putting in the engine currently including what goes in the filter?

No matter what, definitely put in six quarts to begin with. I can't see a problem going 1/2 quart over that either, these engines aren't quite that sensitive to oil level.

The general buying public was known to run these engines 2 or more quarts low, or to overfill them as well. The Pontiac engineers had to take this into account when designing the engine an it's acceptable oil level, after all you can't have your engines blowing up for just being a little over a quart low or a bit high on the dipstick.

[AdamIsAdam]

Originally Posted by b-man

Right here, the 5/16" square-drive 3/8-NPT pipe plug next to the distributor.

If it has never been removed it can be really difficult to get loose. Usually some heat and a tight-fitting square-drive removal tool are needed.

Hopefully the engine machinist removed the original plug to properly clean out that oil passage, then later on it was replaced by the engine builder with a new hex-drive plug during engine assembly.

Morning, fellas. Two questions for today:

1. Regarding the 3/8" fitting by the distributor for the oil pressure gauge, should I buy a 90° elbow to connect the nylon hose to so it's not coming straight up from the block so it's less likely to kink?

2. What did you guys think of my oil filter autopsy? Look ok?